Old Testament Passages Good for Everyone to Know, Part 10

by Douglas Jacoby

Today's scripture is found in the middle of the final chapter of Joshua. The great man of God is growing old, and is concerned that the people of Israel continue to follow Yahweh once he is no longer leading them.

“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. 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" (Josh 24:14-15).

• Joshua calls Israel to break from an idolatrous past. This includes their customs in Mesopotamia (from which Abraham and the patriarchs came). It also includes their past in Egypt. (Until now, I'd never noticed that the text accuses the Israelites of idolatry during the Egyptian captivity.) And the charge refers also to the the land of Canaan, which they have now begun to possess, where Ba'al, Asherah, Molech and many other gods are popular. 
• Joshua doesn't just proclaim his own allegiance, but challenges others. And even then doesn't necessarily take them at their word (read Josh 24:16-27). He knows that faithful living requires going against the flow, living differently than the world. 
• Of course we can't compel others to do anything, but we do have influence in our own houses. Are our homes spiritual places? Are we watchful to ensure that no other "gods" have slipped into our lives?

In the spirit of faith, Joshua embraces the future, inviting Israel to journey with him. What kind of a future? A particular and holy future.