Joshua's Farewell: "Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve"

In the twilight of his remarkable life, Joshua, the valiant successor to Moses, stood before the assembled tribes of Israel at Shechem. His hair was greyed by years of faithful service, his body bearing the marks of battle, yet his spirit remained unyielding, aflame with devotion to the LORD. He had led the children of Israel through the treacherous wilderness, across the miraculously parted Jordan, and into the promised land, fulfilling the divine decree. Now, as the sun began to set on his earthly pilgrimage, Joshua delivered a farewell address, not of sentimental reminiscence, but of profound challenge—a timeless call to decisive faith that echoes through the ages: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." (Joshua 24:15)

Remembering God's Unwavering Faithfulness

Joshua's powerful exhortation did not come without context. He began by recounting the LORD's mighty acts, a historical tapestry woven with divine intervention and steadfast love. He reminded them of their pagan origins beyond the flood, of Abraham's call, of the miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the parting of the Red Sea, and the supernatural provision in the wilderness. He brought to mind the defeat of their formidable enemies—the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites—all driven out by the hand of God, not by Israel's own strength.

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.

Joshua 24:2

He emphasized that it was the LORD who had given them a land for which they did not labour, cities they did not build, vineyards and oliveyards they did not plant (Joshua 24:13). This meticulous recounting of divine faithfulness served as the irrefutable foundation for his subsequent plea. It established God's undeniable claim on their allegiance, making any excuse for disobedience utterly baseless.

The Ever-Present Peril of Idolatry

Despite God's manifest power and goodness, Joshua knew the fickle nature of the human heart, and especially the Israelites' historical propensity to stray. He directly confronted this inherent danger, urging them to "put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD." (Joshua 24:14) The temptation to blend worship, to revert to the comfortable idolatries of their ancestors, or to adopt the gods of the surrounding nations, was a constant snare. Joshua understood that true service to the LORD demanded exclusivity. There could be no compromise, no dual allegiance, for God is a jealous God.

The Pivotal Choice: "Choose This Day"

Then came the profound ultimatum, the central declaration that resonates with such power:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15

This was not a suggestion or a gentle invitation; it was a demand for a clear, unequivocal decision. Joshua presented them with an inescapable truth: there is no neutral ground. They could not serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). They must either commit fully to the LORD, the God who had delivered them, or they must consciously choose the false gods of their past or their present neighbours. Joshua forced them to confront the reality of their options, leaving no room for apathy or indecision. Their blessedness, their very existence as a distinct people, depended on this choice.

Joshua's Unwavering Personal Declaration

Before Israel could even respond to this weighty challenge, Joshua modelled the choice himself. With resolute conviction, he declared, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15) This was a powerful personal testimony, demonstrating that genuine spiritual leadership begins with a deeply rooted, personal commitment. His choice was not conditional; it was absolute, born out of a lifetime of walking with God and experiencing His faithfulness. He did not merely tell them what to do; he showed them the path by his own unwavering example, extending his commitment not only to himself but also to his entire household.

Israel's Initial Response and Joshua's Stern Warning

Initially, Israel responded with an emphatic affirmation: "God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods." (Joshua 24:16) They recounted God's deliverance and promised to serve Him. But Joshua, knowing the depth of their hearts and the ease with which human resolve can falter, issued a stern warning:

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

Joshua 24:19

This was not meant to discourage them, but to impress upon them the solemnity of their vow and the demands of God's perfect holiness. He challenged their potentially superficial commitment, ensuring they understood the immense weight of their choice and the seriousness of serving a God who is both holy and just. If they turned away, God would also turn away from them, bringing consumption and trouble (Joshua 24:20).

Despite this stark warning, Israel again affirmed, "Nay; but we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:21) Joshua then made a covenant with them and, as a tangible reminder, set up a great stone under an oak by the sanctuary of the LORD. He declared, "This stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall therefore be a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God." (Joshua 24:27) This act solidified their renewed commitment and provided a lasting, physical reminder of their solemn vow before God.

The Enduring Relevance for Believers Today

Joshua's farewell at Shechem is far more than a historical record; it is a living challenge for every believer in every generation. Its principles remain as vital today as they were thousands of years ago:

  • Recalling God's Goodness: Like Israel, we must continually remember God's faithfulness in our personal lives and in the grand narrative of redemption. Our service to Him should flow from a heart of gratitude for His grace and mercy.
  • Confronting Modern Idolatry: While we may not bow to carved images, the idols of our modern world are just as insidious. They can be wealth, career, entertainment, self-indulgence, worldly approval, or anything else that competes for our ultimate allegiance and devotion. We are called to "flee idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14), putting away anything that usurps God's rightful place in our hearts.
  • The Daily Choice: The call to "choose this day" is not a one-time decision made at conversion, but a continuous, moment-by-moment surrender. Every morning, we are presented with the choice to walk in the Spirit or to fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). We must choose to deny self, take up our cross, and follow Christ daily (Luke 9:23).
  • Personal and Household Commitment: Joshua's declaration, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," underscores the importance of personal conviction extending to one's family. As heads of households, we are called to lead our families in worship, instruction, and devotion to God, creating a legacy of faith for future generations.
  • The Seriousness of Our Vow: God is indeed a holy and jealous God. Our commitment to Him must be sincere, not superficial. We cannot claim Christ as Lord and simultaneously cling to the world's values or desires. True service requires wholehearted devotion, presenting our bodies as a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)

Conclusion: A Call to Decisive Faith

Joshua's final words to Israel resonate with profound urgency and timeless truth. They compel us to examine our hearts and determine whom we truly serve. In a world saturated with competing allegiances and distractions, the choice remains stark and clear: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." May our response, like Joshua's, be an unwavering, resolute declaration rooted in experience and conviction: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." This decisive faith is the foundation of a life lived in obedience, blessedness, and eternal communion with the Almighty God.