Joshua's Challenge: Choose This Day

Joshua was going to die. Nearing 110 years old, the mighty warrior who had led the Israelites out of the wilderness and into the land of milk and honey was ready to lay down his armor. Victorious battles had been won under his courageous leadership. But he had one more message for God’s people.

They were becoming settled in their new land. Though not all their enemies were overcome, it was a time of peace. But Joshua sensed evil lurking; there were hints of idolatry creeping into the tribes.

Commitment to God was spoken but not completely practiced. He gathered all Israel together. Speaking on behalf of God, the elderly commander reminded them all how powerfully the Lord brought them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. He described the call of Abraham, the gift of Isaac, and the trip Jacob took to Egypt.

He painted the story of Moses and Aaron and the plagues. Though none of them were alive at the time, except Joshua, the people leaned forward to hear their favorite part about God’s deliverance through the Red Sea. Then he told them of Balaam and the curse that turned into a blessing.

He reviewed the conquest of Jericho and many other nations. A theme emerged. Everything good they received came from the hand of God. “I delivered them into your hand. … I sent the hornet before you which drove them out. … I have given you a land for which you did not labor.”

Finally, Joshua reached a highpoint and cried out to the people, “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth!” Then his challenge deepened: “Put away the gods which your fathers served. … Serve the Lord!

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom who will serve. … But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people replied, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods. … We will serve the Lord, for He is our God.” But how strong was this new commitment?

Joshua tested them: “You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God.” When the people tried to obey the Lord solely in their own strength, they failed.

Too often they attempted to battle their enemies without walking with God in obedience to His commandments. Serving God is more than making a statement; it meant completely trusting in God’s power to give them victory—to follow in all His ways. Now the people more deeply affirmed that they would only serve Jehovah, and they meant it, for the Bible records: “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua.”