Choices Week 4

In Joshua 24:

Joshua gathers Israel at Shechem to stand before God. He recounts God's faithfulness from Abraham to the Exodus. God delivered Israel from Egypt and through the Red Sea. God cared for Israel in the wilderness. God gave Israel victory over the Amorites and protected them from Balak and Balaam. God brought Israel into the Promised Land, giving them victory over their enemies by His power.

Joshua 24:12 NRSV

I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove out before you the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.

Where is "the hornet" mentioned in the Bible?

The Hebrew word appears only three times in the Old Testament:

Exodus 23:28

"I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way."

Deuteronomy 7:20

"Moreover the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished."

Joshua 24:12

"I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you... not by your sword or your bow."

Joshua (1) Introduction and Review of the past (24:1–13)

The hornet is usually understood as a metaphor representing the terror or panic from an encounter with the God of Isreal.

Regardless of how "the hornet" is understood, Joshua emphasizes this very important truth:

Israel did not conquer Canaan because of its military power. God went before them and secured the victory.

The "hornet" is one more way of emphasizing that God fought for Israel before Israel ever fought for itself.

Pause!

Has God ever opened a door for you that you couldn't have opened yourself?

Has anyone experienced God removing an obstacle before you had to face it?

Can you think of a situation where you later realized, "That wasn't me—that was God going before me"?

Where have you seen God's fingerprints?

Joshua 24:13 NRSV

I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and towns that you had not built, and you live in them; you eat the fruit of vineyards and oliveyards that you did not plant.

Don’t Get It Twisted!

I Sent (Verse 12)

I Gave (Verse 13)

It wasn’t you! It was all God

Joshua 24:14 NRSV

“Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

“Therefore” For all of these reasons I need you to make a few choices.

"Revere the LORD"

Stand in awe. This is not a fear of punishment but a reverent respect that leads to obedience. It means recognizing God's holiness, authority, and greatness.

Serve Him in sincerity

to serve, work, worship. The word is used for serving a master and for worshiping God. Joshua is calling for , not just religious activity. whole-life worship

"In sincerity" blameless, whole, complete, undivided, with integrity

The idea is serving God with an undivided heart, not divided loyalties.

"And in faithfulness" Often translated . truth, faithfulness, reliability

It describes someone who is dependable and genuine.

God desires authentic devotion.

"Put away the gods..."

Joshua tells Israel to remove:

The gods their ancestors worshiped —the idols of Abraham's family before God called him (Joshua 24:2). beyond the River (Euphrates)

The gods of , where Israel had lived for centuries. Egypt

This suggests that some Israelites still possessed or were influenced by idols, even after entering the Promised Land.

Serve the LORD"

Notice Joshua repeats this command.

The emphasis is clear:

Fear the LORD. Serve the LORD. Put away idols. Serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:14 teaches that God's faithfulness demands a wholehearted response. Reverence for God is shown through sincere, faithful service and by removing anything that competes for our devotion.

Joshua 24:15 NRSV

Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

This is a powerful declaration….

"Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.”

If you are unwilling to make a choice to follow the Lord…

Week 2

“Obedience always requires that something dies, something is surrendered, or something is left behind.”

Week 3 - Jesus said…

Luke 9:23 NRSV

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Choose this day whom you will serve…

“whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.”

Let put it this way….

Choosing not to serve God means I’m making a choice to serve what I desire….

Joshua said… “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua speaks as the covenant leader of his family.

This doesn't mean he can force faith upon every family member, but he declares:

"My home will be centered on the worship of God”

His leadership establishes the spiritual direction of his household.

This is a declaration of exclusive covenant loyalty.

Joshua isn't merely saying,

"We will attend worship."

He is saying,

"Our lives belong to Yahweh."

I am drawing a line…….

A house that serves the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) A house of prayer. (Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13)

A house built on God's Word. (Matthew 7:24–25)

A house where Christ is honored. (Colossians 3:17) A house filled with worship and praise. (Psalm 34:1)

A house where love abounds. (1 Corinthians 13:4–8) A house marked by peace. (John 14:27)

A house of faith. (Hebrews 11:6)

A house of forgiveness and grace. (Ephesians 4:32)

A house where truth is spoken. (Ephesians 4:25)

A house where children are taught God's ways. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)

A house of hospitality. (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9)

A house of generosity. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

A house of integrity. (Proverbs 11:3)

A house where the Holy Spirit is welcome. (Ephesians 5:18–20)

A house that shines God's light. (Matthew 5:14–16)

A house where God's presence dwells. (Psalm 91:1)

A house of hope. (Romans 15:13)

A house of joy. (Nehemiah 8:10)