Title Number 24:14-18 Choose Your Path
Contents
Joshua 24:14-18 Choose Your Path Topic: 20. Faith. 2005. 2. 13.
◎ Introduction
: Renews the covenant between God and the people of Israel. Joshua 24:2-13 is the background to briefly record Israel's work of redemption.
※ Covenant renewal does not mean making a new covenant, but reaffirming and reaffirming the covenant made with God by Moses.
※ The covenant made with God always needs to be reaffirmed in the lives of believers.
The main text is covenant renewal (Joshua 24:14-28).
One). What Israel must observe (14-15)
2). The people's response (16-18)
3). Blessings and curses emphasized (19-20)
1. What Israel must observe (14-15)
※ “Therefore, now” Joshua, who looked back on God’s salvation work for Israel until now (Joshua 24:2-13),
“Now, therefore,” the focus is on whom Israel is to serve.
One). Serve only Jehovah (14)
※ “Serving” ( abad) means that a servant works and serves his master.
Joshua presents a specific way to make Jehovah alone as Lord.
① With awe (14)
: To fear is "to fear". They are afraid in front of the superiority of authority and ability that cannot be compared with their own. If you have this reverence, you will do your best without betraying your master.
② Sincerity and sincerity (14)
: “Integrity” refers to the whole thing that does not contain any impurities.
“Soothing” refers to something that is unwavering and firm.
: to reject - partial. shake. change. Lack of stability. impure. mother-in-law. not warm. Hmmm.
③ By removing foreign gods (14)
: Avoid all kinds of idols. (Chaldean idols, Egyptian idols, Canaanite idols)
It is evident that Israel had some of the idols of the land of Canaan, or that it was favorable.
Idolatry starts from the heart.
Therefore, even if there are no visible stones or wooden sculptures, it is possible.
(Col 3:5, Romans 1:25, 1 John 5:21, 1 Samuel 12:21)
※ We pursue, live, and admire the god of pleasure, knowledge, money, etc.
It is the idol that dominates the mind in this way.
Anything that you love more than God is an idol.
The tragic consequences of idolatry
① Being caught in a snare (Judges 2:3)
② Being put to shame (Isa 44:9~10)
③ Judgment (Deuteronomy 32:15~26)
④ Being disciplined (Jeremiah 1:15~26)
⑤ Destruction (Deuteronomy 8:19-20)
⑥ Cursed (Deuteronomy 11:28)
⑦ Forsaken by God (1 Kings 9:6-9)
⑧ Thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8)
2). Choose whom to serve (15)
※ Just as Moses demanded a choice over life and death (Deuteronomy 30:15), Joshua also had God and foreign idols.
asked to choose. There is no neutrality.
① By the will of Israel (15)
: “Choose whom you will serve today” Therefore, the people could choose their own master without coercion from anyone. It was not compelled or compelled to follow.
The characteristic of Christianity is that it is rational and voluntary, not blind or coercive.
② Joshua's choice (15)
: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” is Joshua’s decisive choice.
※ Those who believe in “me and my house” must firmly establish their faith in the community.
A believer should be able to lead to the faith of serving only Jehovah, at least in the community to which he belongs. And believers must do their best to serve God first for themselves.
2. The people's response (16-18)
※ “We will never do anything to forsake the Lord and serve other gods.”
Joshua's memoirs (2-13) and his religious choices (15) had a great impact.
In response, the Israelites did not hesitate to make the decision to choose Jehovah as their God.
※ Characteristics of the people's responses.
① It was a reasonable response based on one's own free will.
② It was a response of experiential faith.
③ It was a response that was inspired by the leader's powerful sermon and determined choice.
3. Blessings and curses emphasized (19-20)
※ Joshua was following the formal covenant.
He reminded us of the blessings of the covenant and the curses of breaking the covenant.
(It must have been because of a fallen heart that is prone to fall and temptation.)
※ “You will not be able to serve the Lord” as a challenging statement about giving strong warnings and cautions... Why was that?
① To further strengthen the people's resolve.
② This is because pagan religions and idolatry cultures were deeply rooted in the land of Canaan, and there was a sufficient possibility that they could act strongly as a factor of temptation at any time.
※ What did you want the people to realize? Jehovah God is personal.
1) “He is a holy God, a jealous God”
Beware of holiness (holiness manifests itself in jealousy)
2) “Even after the blessing has come, he will turn back... and bring his wrath upon him... and destroy it.”
Believers are always taught to live a life of continuous zeal and repentance.
One of the clear differences between Jehovah God and idols is personality
: God exists in Himself and is a personal person who creates and provides for all things according to His own pleasure, but the pagan idols were originally carved and formed by humans with wood, stone, or metal.
(Psalm 135:15, 2 Kings 19:18, Isaiah 40:19)
◎ Conclusion: