The end for Joshua

Joshua Chapter 24

It was an old Joshua who summoned all the people of Israel to Shechem and here they presented themselves to God. And Joshua told them what the Lord, God of Israel said. He told that Terah, father of Abraham and Nathor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshipped other gods. But God took Abraham from that land and led him to the land of Canaan. God gave him many descendants through his son Isaac and to Isaac he gave Jacob and Esau. Esau was given the hill country of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.

Then God said, he sent Moses and Aaron and brought terrible plagues on Egypt and brought the people out of Egypt as a free people. Then your ancestors reached the Red Sea, and the Egyptians chased them with chariots and horses, but when your ancestors cried out, God put darkness between them and the Egyptians and brought the sea crashing down on and drowning the Egyptians. Then the people of Israel lived in the wilderness for many years.

Finally, God brought the people into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. You fought and were given victory by me, said God. And when Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab started a war, he asked Balaam to curse you, but I would not listen to him and instead I made him bless you, so I rescued you from Balak.
When you crossed the Jordan there were many who fought against you, but I gave you victory and land, and vineyards and olive groves for food. So honor the Lord and put away forever the idols your ancestors worshipped long ago. Serve the Lord alone.

The people replied that they would never forsake the Lord and worship other gods, and they reinforced the miracles that the Lord performed before their very eyes. And Joshua told the people again that if they rebel, the Lord will turn against them and destroy them. Joshua made them accountable and they agreed to a covenant that day at Shechem, committing them to a binding contract between them and the Lord. Joshua recorded this in the Book of Law of God.

Soon after, Joshua died at the age of 110. He was buried n the land he had inherited at Timnath-serah in Ephraim. The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought from Egypt were buried at Shechem. Eleazar, son of Aaron also died and was buried in Ephraim in Gebeah.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord or obey the local gods. They reaffirmed the covenant with the Lord. In taking the lead, Joshua again proved his spiritual leadership and set an example of living and serving God. The people, on the other hand, made promises they did not keep (see Judges 2:2,3). The covenant between God and Israel was to worship and obey the Lord alone. The purpose was to let the world see and influence the world to worship the Lord, but Israel became preoccupied with the land and lost sight of the Lord.

How does this chapter relate to us today? We all have choices, but can you reaffirm your choice to follow the Lord? Talk is cheap, but we can live like an example, like Joshua. His life was a tribute to his great faith. We too, can have faith like that. We can practice our living example each day. We must not become preoccupied like the Israelites and forget to glorify out God. Many churches make this mistake by pouring all their energy into new facilities or ornate objects and lose focus on the real purpose – bringing others to God. Let your light shine!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: Her parents have been called to conference with doctors because her lungs continue to be a serious problem. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.