Joshua24

Joshua 24:14-24

Choose Whom You Will Serve

1.  In the first verses of this chapter, Joshua related all the wondrous things the Lord had faithfully done for the nation of Israel.  Starting in verse 14, Joshua now charges the people to return this faithfulness.  In Joshua’s address, he challenges the Israelites, this day, to choose whom they will serve.  The question is rhetorical.  In the context of Joshua’s address, there could only be one choice.

            a)  What did Joshua really want from the people?

            b)  Why was it important to Joshua that the people choose this day?  For additional insight into this, read Psalm 95:1-8

            c)  How did Joshua set an example for the people?

            d)  How did the people respond?

2.  Joshua responded to the people, “You will not be able to serve the Lord.”  Choose which statement below is correct:

            a)  Joshua words were inaccurately recorded.

            b)  The translation you’re using mistranslated the Hebrew text.

            c)  Joshua was using reverse psychology on the people.

            d)  Joshua knew how frequently the Israelites stumbled in their faithfulness.

            e)  Joshua was a true prophet, and was given a glimpse into the future.

For additional insight into this, read Judges 2:1-4.  What happened there?

3.  In Joshua’s warning to the Israelites,  he emphasizes that God is holy and jealous.  In His first two commandments God mandates that we shall have no other gods before Him, and we shall not worship idols “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God”  (Exodus 20:3-5). 

            a)  What does it mean that God is a jealous God?

Earlier in the book of Joshua, we saw the dire consequences of covetousness, envy and jealousy amongst the Israelites.  Jesus warned that covetousness and envy defile the man (Mark 7:21-23).

            b)  How can “jealousy” be a righteous and holy characteristic for God and a sin for man?

4.  The people refuted Joshua and said, “No, but we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua responded, “You are witnesses against yourselves.”  In other words, they must hold each other accountable.

What will you choose this day?

Go around the table.  Each one of you should be prepared to answer that question.  Do we have the courage to hold each other accountable?