Instruction
Scripture: Joshua24:1-2a, 14-18
Toward the end of Joshua’s life, after he had led the
Israelites into the Promised Land, he gathered the people together to speak
God’s Word to them once again. The chapter begins with a recounting of their
history: specifically their calling to be God’s people, their salvation from
Egypt, being led into the Promised Land, how God gave it to them. In this
portion Joshua calls on the Israelites to not be divided in their faith and
urges them to be faithful to God alone. The text functions as a call to the
hearers to put away the objects of idolatry in our lives and to keep the First
Commandment to have no other gods. At the same time it reminds us that the God
whom we serve is the God who saves us and provides every blessing for our
lives.
Teaching
God does not want us to be divided in our loyalties. We
understand that we are to fear, love, and trust in God above all things, but
there are things that would like to crowd the Lord out of our lives. What God
spoke through His servant Joshua in this reading urges us to recognize those
other gods in our lives and to shun them.
The people’s words in v. 16-18 are also very important. They
set themselves to follow and serve the Lord citing His salvation as the reason.
“Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods…,” they
declared. We can declare much the same. Just as God had provided a home for the
Israelites, He has given us an eternal home in glory through Jesus’ death and
resurrection.
Life
What are the gods in your life which would divide your
loyalty to God? What are the things that try to take precedence over the Lord
in your life? As a person who has been saved from sin and death, and from the
false gods of this world, you have been given eternal life and a glorious home
in God’s presence. Joshua’s words cry out to you, “Choose this day whom you
will serve.”
And what better way, when tempted to give our love or energy
to another god, to resist that temptation than to recall all the blessings God
has bestowed on you: earthly blessings like house, home, and loved ones as well
as eternal blessings like forgiveness, eternal life, and citizenship in God’s
kingdom won for us by Jesus through His death and resurrection.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the themes of Instruction and Confession.
O Lord, You speak to us in Your Word and reveal Your will to
us. Once again You have called us to not have divided hearts but to serve You
and serve You only. You remind us of the salvation and blessings You gave to
Israel; freedom from slavery, victory over their enemies, signs and wonders,
and a land of their own. You have blessed us with victory over sin, faith, and
life in Christ.
Forgive us, Lord, because we do not always keep You as our
only God. Our hearts are sometimes drawn to old sinful behaviors and desire to
serve other things like gods, seeking comfort and provision from them.
Sometimes it seems evil in our eyes to be obedient to You. Forgive us once
again for Jesus’ sake, who has led us into a better Promised Land making us
citizens of Your kingdom. Amen.
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