"And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve Him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now, therefore, put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey."
Joshua 24:21-24
Part 1
Today: Israel Chooses to Serve the LORD
“And the people said to Joshua, No! But we will be the servants of the Lord. And Joshua said to the people, You are witnesses against yourselves that you have made the decision to be the servants of the Lord. And they said We are witnesses!” (Joshua 24:21-22, HSB[1]).
God has done great things for the Children of Israel through the years. At this point in Israel’s history, they have finished their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Joshua, their next leader after Moses died, has led them into the Promised Land. For the most part, they have routed the Canaanites, and now it’s time to get to the business of settling in the land. But before they can settle the land, they need to be settled in their hearts. Joshua gathers the people together to renew the covenant with Jehovah, their God.
“Joshua calls the tribes of Israel to Shechem—the place of decision at the crossroads of Canaan. Here he challenges them to commit themselves afresh to the Lord. He challenges them to renew the covenant that was first made with God and Moses at Mount Sinai. If they decline to do this, they must decide whom they will serve—the pagan gods of Egypt, Canaan, or Mesopotamia. Joshua leaves the people in no doubt about his own decision. He boldly declares that he and his family will serve the Lord” [2] (TBG).
Joshua laid out the covenant terms and said that they, the people, must make their own choice of whom they will serve. Will it be the false gods or Jehovah, the only true God? Joshua confronts the people with making their choice.
“And Joshua said unto the people; Ye cannot serve the LORD: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good” (Joshua 24:19-20).
“And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.
The people make their choice and testify publicly that their allegiance is to the LORD. Serving Jehovah demands a life of obedience. Joshua tells them not to make a light decision here, for if they choose the LORD, they must make changes in their lives. If they do not change as they promise, the consequences will be awful. And still, they promise that they will serve the LORD.
“And Joshua said unto the people; Ye are witnesses against yourselves.”
Joshua knew that their Mosaic Law required at least two witnesses for any matter to be established legally (Deuteronomy 19:15). He wisely asked them to be a witness against themselves, which they willingly said they would. And then he set up a stone pillar as their second witness before the Lord (Joshua 24:25-26). This made their covenant with Jehovah binding on themselves.
“That ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him.” “And they said, We are witnesses.”
The children of Israel will never be able to say that they were forced into a relationship with Jehovah. They made the decision freely and of their own will. This promise and these words are theirs.
“Joshua spoke a third time, pointedly challenging them to serve as witnesses against themselves if they did turn aside from God. And the people immediately replied. Yes, we are witnesses” [3] (BKC).
From this point on, their Covenant with Jehovah is binding. He is the One they will obey and serve. Please come back tomorrow as we see the instant demands made on the lives of the children of Israel. What did God require of them? See you soon.
Quote: “And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God” (Joshua 24:27).
[1] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible from Harvest Ministries in Guam.
[2] TBG, Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., pp. 115–116). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg. The emphasis is theirs.
[3] BKC, Campbell, D. K. (1985). Joshua. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 370). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. The emphasis is theirs.