Joshua 24:14-18

A Leader’s Last Words

Introduction

I attended the services that celebrated the life a great leader yesterday, Dr. Karry Don Wesley, pastor of the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. He was a great leader in many areas of his life. In the area of being a husband. In the area of fatherhood. And as a pastor, particularly, he was a great leader. Many persons spoke about Pastor Wesley’s last words.

In this 24th chapter of Joshua, Joshua is at the close of his earthly journey. He calls the people together “as they present themselves before God” a kinda of altar call. (elaborate on an ALTAR CALL, and how we don’t really do them like we use to) He calls them back to remember what God had done for them and how they had made covenant with God and vice versa.

The want to leave here today we want to leave in covenant with God. We want to leave determined to have a new commitment to our God.

#1 Joshua’s Proclamation (14-15a)

Joshua summons the people to Shechem.

1. Shechem is one of the capitals of the Kingdom of Israel. It is where Abraham erected an altar upon his arrival in the land of Canaan. ()

2. Shechem is also where Jacob set up an encampment and purchased land for his fields. ()

(1-7) Joshua reminds them of their history and God’s hand was in their history from start to finish. In the good and the bad. In the up’s and the down’s. Even when cried ourselves to sleep, God had was there. In our crisis, God’s hand was there.

(1-13) Joshua reminds them of their history and God’s hand was in their history from start to finish. In the good and the bad. In the up’s and the down’s. Even when cried ourselves to sleep, God had was there. In our crisis, God’s hand was there.

(8-13) Joshua reminds them how God drove their enemies from the land. (13) Gave them land for which they did not labour, cities they didn’t build, vineyards and olive yards they didn’t plant.

(14) And since God has done all of this, he proclaims to the people what they should do.

(15a) He calls them to get off the fence!

#2 Joshua’s Declaration (15b)

(15b) They have a choice to make, but he makes his declaration on behalf of him and his family! This is was historically the call of the man in the family. Or, even the male leader of the family and the tribes.

#3 Israel’s Declaration (16)

(16) “The people answered, “We’d never forsake God! Never! We’d never leave God to worship other gods.” (The Message Bible)

The people answered, “We’d never forsake God! Never! We’d never leave God to worship other gods.

Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005. Print.

#4 Israel’s Reflection (17-18)

We remember what God did as well Pastor Joshua.

I think we need to reflect on what God has done for us.

2. Shechem is also where Jacob set up an encampment and purchased land for his fields. ()