Joshua

Joshua 24: God calls Israel to serve Him

Begin in prayer

Before we hear Joshua call his household to serve God, let us ask for more than brave words. Please pray that God will show His glory, give new hearts and draw each of us to Christ.

Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.

Romans 6:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your rescue of Israel and see Jesus as the Savior we need, beyond our own promises. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

At Shechem, God recounts His work from Abraham to giving Israel land, cities, vineyards and olive groves. Joshua commands Israel to put away other gods and serve the LORD, and says his household will serve Him. The people promise to serve, but Joshua says they cannot serve a holy and jealous God. He says God will not forgive their disobedience or sins. He warns that if they forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will consume them. Joshua makes a covenant and sets up a stone as witness. The chapter ends with Joshua's death, Joseph's bones being buried and Eleazar's death.

As you read Joshua 24, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rescued Israel and gave them the land, and He calls them to serve Him alone.

Joshua gathered all the tribes at Shechem, and they presented themselves before God (verse 1). He spoke for the LORD, who reminded Israel that their fathers beyond the River, even Terah, served other gods (verse 2). The LORD took Abraham, gave him Isaac, and brought Israel out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron (verses 3 to 7). He gave them the land of the Amorites and delivered Jericho into their hand (verses 8 to 11). They had not worked for the land or built the cities (verse 13). So Joshua told them to fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and truth, and put away the gods of their fathers (verse 14). As for Joshua and his house, they would serve the LORD, and the people promised the same (verses 15 to 18). Joshua said they could not, because He is a holy and a jealous God who will not forgive their disobedience (verse 19). Joshua made a covenant and set up a stone as a witness, and later he died (verses 25 to 29).

How does Joshua 24 show us that the LORD rescued Israel and gave them the land, and that He calls them to serve Him alone?

God reminds Israel how He rescued them.

The LORD said He took Abraham from beyond the River, where his family served other gods (verses 2 and 3). He brought Israel out of Egypt and through the sea (verses 5 to 7). He gave them the land of the Amorites and delivered Jericho into their hand (verses 8 to 11). He gave them a land they had not worked for and cities they had not built (verse 13).

Joshua tells Israel to put away other gods.

Joshua told Israel to fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and truth, and put away other gods (verse 14). He said they must choose whom to serve (verse 15). As for him and his house, they would serve the LORD (verse 15). The people answered that they would serve the LORD, for He is their God (verses 16 to 18).

Joshua warns that Israel cannot serve a holy God.

Joshua told the people they could not serve the LORD, because He is a holy God and a jealous God (verse 19). He said God would not forgive their disobedience or their sins (verse 19). If they forsook Him for foreign gods, He would turn and consume them (verse 20). The blood of Christ cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9 verse 14).

Memorise

Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth.

Joshua 24:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, why do I need Jesus more than a promise to behave better?

Joshua said that he and his house would serve the LORD, and the people promised the same. Then Joshua told them that they could not serve a holy God, because He would not forgive their disobedience. Jesus Christ is the answer to that, for His blood cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9 verse 14).

The promises of the people could not make them holy. Jesus went to the cross, where He bore the punishment for His people's disobedience, and by one death He gave them all they need. God raised Him up on the third day.

So do not trust your own promises. Turn from your sin and come to Jesus, and trust Him. Those who trust Him are forgiven, and they serve Him with thanks.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD rescued Israel, and that Joshua and his house chose to serve Him. Parents, please read verses 19 and 20 plainly, and explain that only Jesus makes a sinner able to serve a holy God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His saving grace and His call to serve Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I will take the cup of salvation, and call on Yahweh’s name.

Psalm 116:13

Father, thank You for rescuing Israel and for calling them to serve You. Thank You for Jesus, whose saving work is complete. Please give new hearts and lead each of us to repent and trust Him. Help parents lead with patience this week, and teach our family to serve You from the heart. Amen.