“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

The Lord has been faithful and true to his word by keeping all his promises, and all came to pass (Josh. 21:45). Now, Israel responds by renewing the covenant. 

Joshua, as the successor of Moses, addresses all the people of Israel and urges Israel to choose whom they will serve. Joshua encourages the people to fear the Lord and truly devote themselves and their lives faithfully and sincerely in service to the Lord. Israel has a duty to serve the Lord who has kept his promises and delivered the people to the land he promised. 

In verse 15, Joshua speaks even more sharply to the people. He says “if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served…, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.” Joshua admonishes that if the people prefer not to be loyal and devoted to the one true God, Yahweh, then they must therefore choose to serve the false gods of their previous land or the false gods of their newly inherited land. Joshua, ever the leader, declares that he and his household are committed to serving the LORD. He sets the example for the people of Israel, and urges them to declare the same. 

Joshua makes it clear that this is no easy task, to serve the LORD. The LORD is a holy and jealous God, and we are not able to serve him with all that we are without his assistance. We also set the example for those around us and choose to serve the LORD. 

Catherine Rybicki

Extended Scripture: Joshua 23–24