Today, I am reading and commenting on Joshua 23-24.
Today’s passage describes events which took place after all of those described earlier in this book. The Israelites have all found land to live upon in the land. While they have not driven all of the non-Israelites out of the land, for the most part they have destroyed all of the non-Israelite political power bases and are living at peace. Joshua realized that he would not be around much longer to provide the Israelites with guidance, so he calls an assembly of the leadership of the people. First, I want to note that Chapter 23 appears to be a summary of the assembly which Joshua called with Chapter 24 going into more detail. First Joshua reminded the people of all of the good things which God had done for them. Then he called them to respond to those good things by faithfully serving God. I am hoping that you, my readers, can agree with me, and Joshua, that the Lord has done wonderful things for you. If that is the case, then I will join Joshua in calling on you to faithfully serve God. Do not associate with the idol worship going on around us. Do not serve the gods to which so many bow down and serve. Hold fast to the Lord our God. Just as there was a price to pay for the Israelites listening to Joshua, there is a price to pay for us if we choose to faithfully serve God. But, there is a price to pay if you choose to serve the gods of those around us. So, if you find the price of serving God too high, you must choose which other gods your will serve. Our world offers many such gods, choose which ones you will serve! Or, choose to serve the Lord of Lords, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua chose to serve God, I choose to do likewise. I hope you will join me in my choice, even with the high price which Jesus made clear to us.
Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.
I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.