Joshua 24:14-33
Choose Whom You Will Serve
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14Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
15But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
16The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!
17For the LORD our God brought us and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and performed these great signs before our eyes. He also protected us throughout our journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.
18And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!”
19But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.
20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you and consume you, even after He has been good to you.”
21“No!” replied the people. “We will serve the LORD!”
22Then Joshua told them, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” “We are witnesses!” they said.
23“Now, therefore,” he said, “get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
24So the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey His voice.”
25On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and ordinance.
26Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was near the sanctuary of the LORD.
27And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.”
28Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
29Some time later, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110.
30And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
31Israel had served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced all the works that the LORD had done for Israel.
32And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.
33Eleazar son of Aaron also died, and they buried him at Gibeah, which had been given to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Joshua calls Israel to fear the LORD, serve Him with sincerity and truth, and remove the gods their fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt. He sets the decision in front of the people without pretending that worship is a vague private preference. The covenant requires a clear allegiance.
Joshua then says that if serving the LORD seems undesirable, the people must choose whom they will serve. He names the gods their fathers served and the gods of the Amorites, then declares that he and his household will serve the LORD. His statement is personal, but it is made publicly and with responsibility for his household.
The people answer that they will serve the LORD because He rescued and protected them. Joshua challenges their confidence: they are not able to serve this holy and jealous God while persisting in rebellion. If they forsake Him, He will bring disaster and consume them, even after His goodness to them. When they insist on serving Him, Joshua commands them to remove the foreign gods among them and incline their hearts to the LORD.
Joshua records the covenant and sets up a large stone under the oak as a witness. The people's words make them accountable; a public promise cannot replace putting away their idols.
Joshua later dies at 110 and is buried in his inheritance at Timnath-serah. Israel serves the LORD during his lifetime and that of the elders who outlive him. Joseph's bones are buried at Shechem in the land Jacob bought, and Eleazar is buried at Gibeah in Ephraim. These deaths close the book with the people living in the land God promised.
How We Know
Joseph made Israel swear to carry his bones from Egypt when God brought them to the promised land (Genesis 50:24–26). Exodus 13:19 says Moses took them along. Joshua 24:32 completes that thread by recording their burial at Shechem.
Questions
1 How does Joshua tell Israel to serve the LORD?
AnswerHe tells them to fear the LORD and serve Him with sincerity and truth after removing rival gods.
2 What choice does Joshua place before the people?
AnswerHe tells them to choose whom they will serve, whether the old gods, the gods of the Amorites, or the LORD.
3 Why do the people say they will serve the LORD?
AnswerThey remember that He brought them from Egypt, protected them, and drove out the nations before them.
4 What witnesses the covenant?
AnswerJoshua records the covenant and sets up a large stone beneath the oak as a witness to Israel's words.
What This Means for Us
A declaration of faith is serious. Joshua will not let Israel use a confident promise to cover continued worship of other gods. Our words should lead us to name and put away whatever competes for our allegiance.
We also need more than enthusiasm to remain faithful. When others turn away from Jesus, Peter asks where else they could go: Jesus has the words of eternal life (John 6:68–69). Turn to Him for the life you cannot produce by resolve alone. Let your household's confession become daily listening, repentance, and obedience.
Prayer
Holy God, keep our worship sincere and undivided. Help our household remember Your faithfulness, reject the loyalties that compete with You, and serve You with truth in the ordinary choices of each day. Amen.
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