I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Joshua 23-24.

    This passage is Joshua’s farewell speech to the people of Israel. He tells the Israelites that they are not to associate with the people living in the land, to not intermarry with them, adopt their customs, or worship their gods. They are not to even mention the names of their gods. Instead they were to cling tightly to God Himself. The point here is that our focus should not be on what those around us do wrong, or that is not right. Our focus should be on doing what God tells us is right.

    This passage also contains a great quote from Joshua, one which I love: “As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” However, that quote comes after Joshua gives them a command. He told them to choose whom they would serve. Joshua laid before them their choices, the gods whom their ancestors worshiped in Sumeria, the gods of Egypt, the gods of the people in whose land they now lived, or God. The people resoundingly chose to worship and serve God. Yet, when they had done so, Joshua found it necessary to tell them to destroy their idols. If we have chosen to worship and serve God, what idols do we have that we need to destroy?