Josué 24
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 24
Morris - In effect, Joshua here places his own writings (our present book of Joshua) on a par with those of Moses. Moses and Joshua were the human writers, along with editorial inserts made for clarification by later scribes, but the end product in every case had been "given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). Matthew
Josué 24
Morris - after these things. The last five verses of Joshua were obviously written by an unknown scribe living after "all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua" (Joshua 24:31). This in no way brings into question the divine inspiration of the writings themselves. Ryrie points out that (vv. 29-33) "The Book of Joshua ends with three burials. This is not a sad note, however, but a triumphant one, for these three leaders were buried in the Promised Land. Especially significant is the burial of Joseph, whose faith had led him to request it (Gen. 50:24-26; cf. Ex. 13:19). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 29-33. Joseph died in Egypt, but gave commandment concerning his bones, that they should not rest in their grave till Israel had rest in the land of promise. Notice also the death and burial of Joshua, and of Eleazar the chief priest. The most useful men, having served their generation, according to the will of God, one after another, fall asleep and see corruption. But Jesus, having spent and ended his life on earth more effectually than either Joshua or Joseph, rose from the dead, and saw no corruption. And the redeemed of the Lord shall inherit the kingdom he prepared for them from the foundation of the world. They will say in admiration of the grace of Jesus, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 24 Joshua—died, being a hundred and ten years old. Precisely the age of his renowned ancestor Joseph; yet he was not buried in the same place with him, but in his own inheritance, which seems to have been the general practice.—How long he lived after the entrance of Israel into Canaan we have no means of determining. Lightfoot thinks it was about seventeen years, but the Jewish chronologers generally fix it at twenty-seven or twenty-eight. There is no mention of any public mourning at his death, as there was for Moses and Aaron, and his only epitaph was, in effect, couched in the brief terms, ‘THE SERVANT OF THE LORD.’ This however comprehended the sum of the highest eulogiums that could be bestowed on his character. Though inferior in many respects to Moses, yet in this he was equal to him, that according as his work was in the sphere in which he was placed, he had approved himself a diligent, devoted, and faithful servant of the Most High; and no man need desire a more honorable testimonial to record his worth to his own or future generations. James Smith - THE DEATH OF JOSHUA Joshua 24:29–31 “When the dangerous rocks are past, When the threatening tempests cease. Oh! how sweet to rest at last In a silent port of peace. Though that port may be unknown, Though no chart its name may bear. Brightly beams its light on One, Blest to find his refuge there.” The spiritual mariner’s port of rest has no place on the business charts of earth. Port Death is a haven where those greedy of the world’s gain have no desire to cast anchor. Some do rush into it in stress of weather to escape what seems more terrible than the separation of soul and body. The Christian’s “port of peace” is the bosom of God. To him death is but the placid waters in the bay that speak of the nearness of the rest that is in the harbour of His all-satisfying presence. To die is gain. The death of Joshua was the final triumph of a conqueror. It suggests— I. A Great Honour. “Joshua, the servant of the Lord” (v. 29). What a privilege to have one’s name and character so closely linked with the Lord! To be known as “the servant of the Lord” is a heritage worth coveting earnestly. It is infinitely better than being known as a successful man or a millionaire. There is no degree that will tell in eternity like this. Of many it may be truly written, “John, the servant of the world.” “Samuel, the servant of sin.” “Mary, the servant of self.” “Martha, the servant of fashion.” Such have their reward, their crown of honour is in the dust instead of in the Lord. II. A Passing Privilege. “It came to pass that Joshua died” (v. 29). Yes, even those who are reckoned indispensable to the success of God’s work die. No matter how great the burden of responsibility it must be put aside. Life itself, with all its great and eternal possibilities, is but a passing opportunity. The key-note of Genesis 5 is, “And he died.” “It is appointed unto men once to die.” But this quickly vanishing “little while” is enough to fulfil the work God has given us to do if the time is redeemed. Did not our Lord realise this when He said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day” (John 9:4). His working day was a short one, but, oh, what wealth of labour was in it. III. A Rebuke to Covetousness. “They buried him in the border of his inheritance” (v. 30). It does not matter how large our earthly possession may be, a little hole in the border will suffice when the spirit departs. Those who pride themselves in adding house to house and land to land should remember that a few odd shillings will be enough to pay for their shroud. There are many graves in the border land. That lair in the cemetery may mean the border of your inheritance. The grave is not only in the border of our earthly heritage, it is also in the border of eternity. “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:44). The border is the last point of contact with the old and the perishing before we touch the new and the eternal. Set your affections on things above, and not on the things which are on the earth. IV. An Encouragement to Faithfulness. “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua” (v. 31). Another evidence of the posthumous influence of a holy life. “He being dead, yet speaketh.” The king that knew not Joseph dealt hardly with his brethren. The memory of the wicked shall rot, while the righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance. Think of the posthumous influence of Jesus Christ. The higher the life, or light, the farther will the radiance of its power and glory go. Jesus Christ has been exalted to Heaven, “far above all,” that His influence might reach out to the uttermost parts of the earth, and down to the uttermost depths of human need, and on to the uttermost end of the ages. In so far as our lives are lived in the heavenly places will they tell with restraining or encouraging power upon those who may come after. The sun may set, but the effect of its healing beams is still felt by every living thing. To me to live is Christ. Joshua 24:30 And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of Mount Gaash. Timnath serah: Jos 19:50 Jdg 2:9 Gaash: 2Sa 23:30 Joshua 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Joshua 19:50 In accordance with the command of the LORD they gave him the city for which he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. So he built the city and settled in it. JOSHUA'S BURIAL IN HIS OWN TOWN And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of Mount Gaash. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 24 Buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah. In the compass, in the limits of his inheritance. See the remark on the import of the word ‘border’ in the note on ch. 19:25. Of Timnath-serah, see on Judg. 2:9. Joshua 24:31 Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had done for Israel. served: De 31:29 Jdg 2:7 2Ch 24:2,17,18 Ac 20:29 Php 2:12 survived Joshua: De 11:2,7 31:13 Joshua 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ONE GENERATION AWAY FROM APOSTASY Why this title? Read the notes below. Israel served (abad; NET = worshiped) the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had done for Israel - NET = "Israel worshiped the LORD throughout Joshua's lifetime and as long as the elderly men who outlived him remained alive. These men had experienced firsthand everything the LORD had done for Israel."Judges 2:7+ records a similar description that "The people served (abad; NET = worshiped) the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD which He had done for Israel." But if we read on further in Judges we find the next generation is not faithful... Then Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of one hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then (marks progression in this case beginning of a downward spiral, a downward progression!) the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals (NET = "by worshiping the Baals"), (Jdg 2:8-11+) Remember Joshua 4. It looks like as good as the peers of Joshua had been in worshiping Yahweh, the next generation completely "dropped the ball." Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 “For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the LORD your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (Joshua 4:20-24) They forgot the value of the stone memorials in Joshua 4:20-24 and for some reason failed to teach the next generation this vital truth about God. And was was the result? We call it the book of Judges! In Psalm 78 we see this vitally important principle of "passing on the baton" to the next generation (cf Jesus' command in Mt 28:19+ to make disciples and Paul's exhortation to teach faithful men who make disciples - 2Ti 2:2+). Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, 6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, 7 That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, 8 And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Psalm 78:1-8+) Related Resources: Only One Generation Away - Gone in One Generation Moody - Today in the Word - On the first day of the month, we looked at a quote from Andrew Jackson, and we'll revisit that thought today. He said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” That sums up Joshua's life as a leader in Israel. Not many leaders in all of history could lay claim to what is said of Joshua in verse 31. His nation served the Lord until the day he died, and even after that throughout the lives of the other leaders who served under him. Through a summary glance at Joshua's leadership, it doesn't seem difficult. God gave him clear directions, Joshua followed them, and Israel was greatly blessed. So why is Joshua's example such a rare item in the history of the world? Maybe because Joshua understood that he wasn't primarily a leader; he was a follower of the Lord. He let God call the shots. When Joshua acted without God's specific direction, he made mistakes. But when he did listen to God's commands, he followed them with unparalleled courage. God commanded him to lead His people, which involved being strong, courageous, and obedient. Courage, strength, and submission don't often materialize in one man, but when they do, it makes for a powerful combination. Joshua did that. He lived up to the name Moses had given him: “The Lord brings salvation.” If you're looking for that secret ingredient that made Joshua a great leader, don't look at Joshua. Look to God. His power, His Word, and His faithfulness are all available to you. Then you have to look at yourself. If making money, having fun, and being popular are among your top goals, you can never be the leader Joshua was. But if serving the Lord is your definition of success, God will give you the strength and courage to fulfill your purpose. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 24 The elders that over-lived Joshua. Heb. ‘that prolonged their days after Joshua.’ Intimating that the salutary influence of Joshua’s exemplary life and character extended beyond the term of his natural existence, and served for a number of years to keep the people in a general course of obedience. Whether for good or for evil the effect of our example may be expected to live after us. This shows that this part of the book must have been written a considerable time after the death of Joshua. See on ch. 4:9. Which had known all the works of the Lord. Who had been eye-witnesses of them, who had profoundly and devoutly regarded them; who had not only seen them, but pondered upon them with those sentiments which they were calculated to excite. Such is the genuine import of ‘known’ in this connexion. Joshua 24:32 Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's sons. bones: Ge 50:25 Ex 13:19 Ac 7:16 Heb 11:22 buried: Ge 33:19 48:22 Joshua 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Resources: Genesis 50:22-26 (JOSEPH WAS SURE GOD WOULD FULFILL HIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM) Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. 23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” 26 So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt. Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God shall surely take care of you; and you shall carry my bones from here with you." THE SECOND BURIAL JOSEPH'S BONES Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's sons - This was a reminder of Joseph's faith in God's promise to give Israel the promised land of Canaan. Shechem was also in the land allotment of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 24 The bones of Joseph buried they in Shechem. Joseph’s death took place in Egypt about two hundred years before that of Joshua, and we learn, Gen. 50:25; Ex. 13:19, that prior to his decease he had given a strict charge that his bones should be conveyed away out of Egypt by his people when they themselves went up from thence. Accordingly they had carried these precious relics with them in all their wanderings through the wilderness, and never attempted to bury them till they were peaceably settled in the promised land. The act of sepulture, though here related after the account of the death of Joshua, undoubtedly took place before it, and not improbably at the time of the general convention at Shechem described in the present chapter. The occasion, at any rate, would seem to have been a very suitable one for such a solemn ceremony, although it be true that a considerable long interval had now elapsed since the conquest and occupation of Canaan, If any one prefers to translate the original ‘had buried,’ instead, of ‘buried,’ implying that the circumstance took place some years before, when the children of Joseph first received their inheritance, which they would naturally be disposed at once to consecrate by depositing within it the remains of their venerated ancestor, we know of nothing to object against it. Which Jacob bought, &c. See on Ge 33:19. Joshua 24:33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him at Gibeah of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country of Ephraim Eleazar: Jos 14:1 Ex 6:23,25 Nu 3:32 20:26-28 died: Job 30:23 Ps 49:10 Isa 57:1,2 Zec 1:5 Ac 13:36 Heb 7:24 Heb 9:26,27 Phinehas: Jdg 20:28 Joshua 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE THIRD BURIAL: ELEAZAR And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him at Gibeah of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country of Ephraim Donald Campbell - Recording three burials is a strange way to end a book like Joshua! But these three peaceful graves testify to the faithfulness of God, for Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar once lived in a foreign nation where they received God’s promise to take His people back to Canaan. Now all three were at rest within the Promised Land. God kept His word to Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar—and to all Israel. And this encourages God’s children today to count on God’s unfailing faithfulness. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Joshua begins with a death (Moses) and ends with 3 burials, so in a sense is bookended in death of God's servants (Moses and Joshua). Why? I am not sure but one thing it suggests is we just have this life in which to possess our possessions and be servants of the LORD. I am reminded of the poem Only one life Twill soon be past Only what's done for (in) Christ Will last. Lord remind us all of the brevity of our existence on earth as James said (James 4:14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. The psalmist adds (Ps 144:4) Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. What's the conclusion? (1) Pray Ps 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (2) Live out in the power of the Spirit Eph 5:16 Redeem the time (making the most of every opportunity), because the days are evil. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 24 And Eleazar—died. Probably about the same time with Joshua. In a hill that pertained to Phinehas. As the cities assigned to the priests lay in the lots of Judah, Benjamin and Simeon, neither father nor son could properly inherit a portion located in Mount Ephraim. But such a portion might be given them there, and the probability is that the people voluntarily gave to the high priest a place of residence situated at a convenient distance from Joshua and the tabernacle, and that this was called the ‘hill of Phinehas,’ because he dwelt longer there than his father Eleazar had done.
Josué 24
Morris - choose you this day. This is the same choice confronting each person in every age. One can choose to serve the true God of creation and redemption (now revealed in Jesus Christ), or the pagan nature-gods of the world system (evolutionary pantheism), or attempt to serve both (as Terah and Nahor had done). But the true God "is a jealous God" (Joshua 24:19). He will not share His glory with another. Joshua's exhortation is still needed: "Put away...the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel" (Joshua 24:23). Morris - gods which your fathers served. Abraham's father Terah had indeed served the gods of the Chaldeans when he was in Ur, on the other side of the "flood" (meaning the great river Euphrates). Pantheism and polytheism did become widespread soon after Nimrod introduced it at Babel. At Ur, the principal deity was the moon god, but there were also shrines to many other gods. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 15-28. It is essential that the service of God's people be performed with a willing mind. For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring. The Father seeks only such to worship him, as worship him in spirit and in truth. The carnal mind of man is enmity against God, therefore, is not capable of such spiritual worship. Hence the necessity of being born again. But numbers rest in mere forms, as tasks imposed upon them. Joshua puts them to their choice; but not as if it were indifferent whether they served God or not. Choose you whom ye will serve, now the matter is laid plainly before you. He resolves to do this, whatever others did. Those that are bound for heaven, must be willing to swim against the stream. They must not do as the most do, but as the best do. And no one can behave himself as he ought in any station, who does not deeply consider his religious duties in family relations. The Israelites agree with Joshua, being influenced by the example of a man who had been so great a blessing to them; We also will serve the Lord. See how much good great men do, by their influence, if zealous in religion. Joshua brings them to express full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord. They must come off from all confidence in their own sufficiency, else their purposes would be in vain. The service of God being made their deliberate choice, Joshua binds them to it by a solemn covenant. He set up a monument of it. In this affecting manner Joshua took his last leave of them; if they perished, their blood would be upon their own heads. Though the house of God, the Lord's table, and even the walls and trees before which we have uttered our solemn purposes of serving him, would bear witness against us if we deny him, yet we may trust in him, that he will put his fear into our hearts, that we shall not depart from him. God alone can give grace, yet he blesses our endeavours to engage men to his service. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 24 If it seem evil in your eyes. Unjust, unreasonable, or attended with too many inconveniences. Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. Not implying that it was previously a matter of indifference, whether they served God or no, or that they were really at liberty to refuse his service if they saw fit. He adopts this rhetorical mode of speech, in order to impress upon them more forcibly a sense of their duty, and the utter absurdity, as well as impiety, of devoting themselves to any other than the true God. It is a striking way of bringing the matter to an issue. His aim is to bring them to a decided stand; to a free, intelligent, firm, and lasting choice of God as their portion. In effecting this he makes use of a style of address which evidently implies that the service of idols compared with the service of God is so irrational, absurd, and brutish, that no man in the calm exercise of his understanding could hesitate which to choose. If reason and conscience could but be allowed to speak, they would not fail to speak on the side of God. A similar course, having the same object in view, was pursued by Elijah, 1 Kings 18:21, who ‘came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ The grand inference to be drawn from this mode of address is,—that the service of God is matter of voluntary choice, and that it is his will that we should all seriously and solemnly make this choice. He would have us weigh the matter well, compare the respective claims of his service and the service of sin and the world, and if our candid judgment, as it surely will, pronounces on the side of that which is good, and true, and right, and saving, to resolve at once to embrace it, and adhere to it with a constancy stronger than death. As the evidences in favor of religion are so clear and indisputable, and its infinite advantages so obvious, the man who declines making the choice here enjoined must be considered as deliberately preferring Satan to Christ, death to life, hell to heaven. He who acknowledges the paramount claims of God and his Gospel, and yet does not act accordingly, does not sincerely and solemnly choose his service, as that better part which cannot be taken from him, must stand self-condemned both here and hereafter. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Ye may act your pleasure in this matter, but whatever may be your election, I am decided as to my own course. As far as myself and my household are concerned, the question whom we shall serve is settled. Whatever halting or wavering there may be in other cases, there is none in mine. This declaration of their venerated leader, while devoid of the least air of dictation, and apparently leaving them the most unrestrained liberty of choice, was in fact the most powerful argument he could have used to influence their minds in the direction he wished. For the force of example is in proportion to the depth of respect and estimation in which an individual is held, and he could not fail to perceive that the reverence with which he was regarded would give to his example a weight and authority almost amounting to absolute law. Gratitude for his services, confidence in his wisdom, and love for his person would all combine to make his conduct a pattern for theirs and how blessed is it when those who possess these immense advantages for exerting a salutary influence on others, are disposed, like Joshua, to make it available to the salvation of their fellow-men! This noble resolution of the captain of Israel obviously suggests the following reflections; (1) The service of God is nothing below the most distinguished of men. It is no diminution of their greatness, no disparagement of their rank, reputation, or honor, to be decidedly pious, and to be openly and avowedly so. On the contrary, it heightens every other distinction, and makes all honor still more honorable. (2) In regard to the great interests of religion and the soul, we are to be concerned for others, particularly our households, as well as for ourselves. It should be our earnest aim to unite our families, our wives, children, and servants, those that come under our special care and influence, with us in every pious resolution and labor. Heads of households should feel not only anxiety, but deep responsibility, in respect to those thus entrusted to their charge. (3) Those that lead and rule in other things should be first in the service of God, and go before in every good work. (4) We should resolve to do right and to do good, whatever others may do. Though others may desert the cause of God, we should stand by it at all hazards, whatever charge of singularity or expression of popular odium it may bring upon us. ‘Those that are bound for heaven must be willing to swim against the stream, and must not do as the most do, but as the best do.’ Henry. Joshua 24:2,13-18 D-Day Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. —Joshua 24:15 Recently I asked my older sister, Mary Ann, if she remembered when our family moved into the house where we lived for many years. She replied, “You were about 9 months old, and I remember that Mother and Daddy stayed up all night packing boxes and listening to the radio. It was June 6, 1944, and they were listening to live coverage of the Normandy Invasion.” Today marks the 70th anniversary of what has become known as D-Day—a military term for the day on which a planned operation will begin. Over the years, D-Day has also come to mean a moment of decision or commitment in our personal lives. At one point in ancient Israel, their leader Joshua, now an old man, challenged the people to another kind of D-Day. After years of struggle to possess their inheritance in the land God had promised them, Joshua urged them to faithfully serve the One who had been so faithful to them (Josh. 24). “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” he said. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15). The day we decide to follow the Savior is the greatest turning point in our life. And each day after, we can joyfully renew our commitment to serve Him. Lord, what a privilege it is to say “yes” to You each day. Thank You for loving me and forgiving me. Guide me in all my choices today and help me to serve You faithfully. Life’s biggest decision is what you do with Jesus. INSIGHT: Joshua 22–24 records Joshua’s speech to the Israelites as they begin to occupy the Promised Land. Reminding them that the land was God’s gift to them (Josh 24:13), Joshua urged the people not to worship their ancestral gods from Mesopotamia or the gods of the Egyptians and the Canaanites, but instead to fear and serve the Lord in sincerity and in truth (Josh 24:14-15). G Campbell
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Morris comments - "His family and servants still had some of the pagan images and charms they had brought from Syria, not to mention the spoils of Shechem. These spoils had to be buried before they could meet God at Bethel. Like many modern believers, they tried to retain some of the accouterments of ungodliness from which they had been delivered."). Jacob had wandered from Bethel to Shechem where Dinah, his daughter, got into trouble. His sons took vengeance on the Shechemites and Jacob was sore distressed. Then God commanded him to return to Bethel, and dwell there and make an altar unto the Lord. We live at Shechem today, the place of broken vows, broken homes and broken hearts; we need to return to Bethel. Jacob obeyed promptly, ordered his household to put away their strange gods, change their garments, and return to the place of blessing. Like Joshua, as for him and his house he would serve the Lord. Like Joshua, he was the head of the house. He did not ask his household whether or not they wanted to go, nor was he afraid of frustrating Junior; he simply announced that they were returning to Bethel. More fathers like that in America today would answer a good many problems of broken homes and wayward youngsters. The family obeyed, giving up their strange gods and earrings which Jacob buried under an oak. If American churches followed a similar procedure, we would fill all the national forests in the country with surrendered idols! Paul had a book burning at Ephesus, and Savonarola witnessed a similar sight in Florence. There was considerable joking sometime ago, when members of a certain sect made a bonfire of worldly trinkets: tobacco, evil books, and other miscellaneous items not consistent with godly living. It is no laughing matter. We might well check our own premises, and see what we have to contribute to a holy bonfire. We need also to change our garments. There are a few like those saints in Sardis who have not defiled their garments (Rev 3:4+), but too many wear the filthy rags of self-righteousness, the spotted garments of worldliness, or the gray garments of compromise. The prodigal was received by the father just as he was, but he had to put on a new robe for fellowship, and so must we. We read that Jacob and his company journeyed, and the terror of the Lord accompanied them. God's presence and power are with the man who is headed for Bethel—who has decided that he and his house will serve the Lord. When they arrived at Bethel, Jacob renamed it "El-beth-el": the God of the house of God. God had become more important than any place. Once earthly joy I craved; Sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best. This is true revival, deep and definite. We are living at Shechem. It is not enough to make cheap dedication. Our God is holy and jealous. Let us confess, and forsake sin. Let us give up our strange gods, and change our garments. Let us be on our way in the path of obedience, and the terror of the Lord will attend us. ED: DO YOU WANT REVIVAL? DO YOU REALLY WANT IT? THEN PRAY AND THEN OBEY AS THE WORD AND SPIRIT ENABLE YOU... My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. Theodore Epp The People's Choice The people were decided and definite in their reaction to Joshua's admonition. They responded with a definite decision to follow the Lord. Warning the people that they were making no light decision, Joshua said to them, "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" (Josh. 24:19). They needed this reminder. God is holy and cannot coexist with sin. He is a jealous God and will not take a secondary place. We cannot serve God and live in sin. The Israelites assured Joshua that they would obey the Lord, for they said (Josh. 24:21,22), "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." There was even a covenant made, and Joshua took a great stone and placed it under an oak as a witness of the people's intention to serve God. The generation that made the promise was true to its word. We learn in Joshua 24:31: "And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that over lived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel." This was a good beginning, and what a different history we would have had if each succeeding generation of Israelites had reached the same decision and stayed with it. "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there few that find it" (see note Matthew 7:14). A B Simpson - SELF-CONFIDENCE In the closing chapter of the Book of Joshua we read, that when that great leader had gathered the people together at Shechem, and had given them his parting charges, they answered with unreserved assurance, “We will serve the Lord, for He is our God,” and Joshua answered them, “Ye cannot serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:19). Doubtless what Joshua meant was they could not in their self-confident strength do anything but fail and sin. But they had not learned the lesson, and confident in their self-sufficiency they did fail and sink into the lowest depth of sin and misery, and the triumphs of Jericho, Bethhoron, Hebron and Gibeon ended in the tears of Bochim, and the captivity of their foes. Thank God there is an antipodes to Bochim. It is that other place of which the inspired prophet has said, “Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah” (Isa. 62:4). Bochim is the place of weeping; Beulah is the place of love and joy. Bochim means the failure of our strength; Beulah means married unto Him, and kept by His power from stumbling and from failure. Let us go to Bochim and learn our helplessness, and then let us go forth to Beulah, and leaning upon His love and strength go forward, singing: “Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus”; “I can do all things through Christ, who is my Strength.” The Great Probing By Oswald Chambers Ye cannot serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:19 Have you the slightest reliance on anything other than God? Is there a remnant of reliance left on any natural virtue, any set of circumstances? Are you relying on yourself in any particular in this new proposition which God has put before you? That is what the probing means. It is quite true to say — “I cannot live a holy life”; but you can decide to let Jesus Christ make you holy (ED: BUT EVEN HERE IT IS THE SPIRIT WHO GIVES YOU THIS DESIRE - Phil 2:13NLT+). “Ye cannot serve the Lord God” — but you can put yourself in the place where God’s Almighty power will come through you. Are you sufficiently right with God to expect Him to manifest His wonderful life in you? “Nay, but we will serve the Lord.” It is not an impulse, but a deliberate commitment (ED: ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT). You say — “But God can never have called me to this, I am too unworthy, it can’t mean me.” It does mean you, and the weaker and feebler you are, the better (cf James 4:6+) The one who has something to trust in is the last one to come anywhere near saying — “I will serve the Lord.” (cf Pr 3:5-6) We say — “If I really could believe!” The point is — If I really will believe. No wonder Jesus Christ lays such emphasis on the sin of unbelief. “And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” If we really believed that God meant what He said — what should we be like! Dare I really let God be to me all that He says He will be? The difficulty of serving God I. SOME OF THEIR DIFFICULTY WOULD BE FOUND ON THE SIDE OF GOD. “He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins” so as to fail to punish them. “He will turn, and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good.” 1. If Jehovah is to be served at all, He must be served alone. There can be no possible rivalry between Him and any other claimants to be gods. We may think of three things that are ever pressing in our day to be gods with God--the luxury of wealth; self-seeking pleasure; mere mind knowledge. 2. If God is served at all He must be served in righteousness. God will search through and through every form of service offered to Him, and it must be sincere, it must be “clean every whit,” or it cannot be acceptable to Him. The service of a holy God must be the service of intention and resolve, not of mere accident. It should be thought about, resolved upon, prayed about, made the most earnest thing in the whole life. II. SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES WERE FOUND ON THE SIDE OF ISRAEL. “Ye cannot.” “Ye are too frail. Ye are too much exposed to the power of temptation. Ye have too serious inclinations to evil. You do not know yourselves, or you would not promise too readily. You do not fully estimate the influences of the past, or you would fear for your future.” They who know themselves learn to pray, “Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe, and I shall have respect unto Thy commandments.” (The Weekly Pulpit.) Matthew