Fathers should be godly men who lead their families in serving the true and living God.

Part 3

Yesterday:
“Whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood,”
“Or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:”
Give up your false gods, for the one true and living God, Jehovah.

Today:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
What a profound thought.  Joshua made the choice for himself and for his family.  He didn’t let his wife or the children choose their own gods.  He wanted Jehovah for his family, He ruled out all the other gods and picked the LORD.

“Whatever may be the decision of the people, Joshua tells them what he and his family are resolved to do.  ‘I and my house will serve Jehovah’.”1

Joshua didn’t check public opinion before he made his choice.  He did not really care what others were doing, in the sense of trying to keep the status quo.  He determined that Jehovah is the only God, and the only one worth serving, so he chose Him for his family.

This is reminiscent of the LORD’s thoughts about Abraham.

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Genesis 18:19).

This is the kind of determination and character we need to lead our families today.  There is only one God, and we will serve Him! Wholeheartedly, with no regrets or second thoughts.

It is interesting to note that Israel took Joshua’s challenge (Joshua 24:16-18). They made Jehovah their God. They were successful only to the degree of their obedience and put away their other gods. You can read the results of their choices in the rest of the Old Testament.

Lord, help us to be men and women of God who will love and serve you faithfully, and we will lead our families to You, by loving your Word and ways.

1.  Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.