Choose Well Whom You Will Serve

GETTING STARTED

Our current use of the word service can have many meanings. For example, when my wife says her car needs service, I know to take it to a garage (formerly, service station). In contrast, members of the military, police, and firemen are recognized and, hopefully, appreciated by a grateful nation and local community for their service. As evidenced by their actions, their dedication and commitment to serve and protect us far exceeds the level of my personal daily and routine commitments. 

  • In what areas of your life do you find commitments difficult to make and keep?

READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 24:14-28 (ESV)

14 “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. 15 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.”

16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

19 But 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 transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.”21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord.” 22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem. 26 And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” 28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. In verses 14-15, Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose how they would live in the Promised Land. What options did he give them, and what did this imply?
  2. Following Joshua’s personal statement, how did the people answer (vss. 16-18)?
  3. What did Joshua’s reply to the people indicate about his opinion of their commitment to the Lord (vss. 19-23)?
  4. When the people persisted that they would serve and obey the Lord, what steps did Joshua take to establish a record of their covenant (vss. 25-27)?
  5. Are there any “foreign gods” that may take precedence over your service and obedience to the one, true God?

RESPOND TO GOD

Joshua challenged the people to obey God’s most fundamental law: to serve him and have no other gods before him. Their rote response led to a stern rebuke by Joshua, for he knew many were worshipping foreign gods. When he reminded them that God wouldn’t tolerate their sins, the people insisted they would serve and obey God, prompting Joshua to raise a stone as a witness of their commitment. 

Some 1,400 years later, Jesus would be tempted by a false god to worship him. His answer was swift: “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship your God and him only shall you shall serve.’” From Joshua to Jesus to today, God’s challenge remains: Choose today whom you will serve.

  • If you are willing, share with a friend your commitment to the Lord to follow him and be transformed by his power.