SCRIPTURE: JOSHUA 24
BIBLE VERSES:
““Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)
THE COVENANT RENEWED AT SHECHEM (vs. 1-27)
Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel and narrated all their history as follows:
- From Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Esau
- Sending of Moses and Aaron
- Ten plagues and crossing of Red Sea
- Battle of Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites.
Then he gave the people two choices – to serve the Lord or the gods of the Amorites. Joshua said: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (v. 15). The people answered: “:We will serve the Lord our God and obey him? (v. 24)
So Joshua made a covenant for the people at Shechem. He drew up the decrees and laws and recorded these things in the Book of Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up under the oak near the holy place of the Lord. The stone will be a witness for their promise.
BURIED IN THE PROMISED LAND (vs. 28-33)
Joshua died at the age of 110 and was buried at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim north of Mt. Gaash. Joseph’s bones were buried at Shechem, the land the Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hanon, the father of Shechem. And Eleazar, son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah which has been alloted to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.
THOUGHTS:
Shechem was near Mr. Ebal where the people had rededicated themselves to the Lord after entering the promised land. It is a meaningful place that Joshua chose for his final message. Being in a special place makes it easier for us to meet with God.
Joshua reviewed the history of Israel and reminded the people of God’s mercies, grace and goodness. He also told them that God is a jealous God who will nottolerate rivals. He must be Lord of all. That was why Joshua gave them his challenge. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (v. 15). How about you? Have you chosen yours?