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12th March 2025
WednesdayReflection
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'Trent Hunter'
Pastor of preaching and teaching at
Heritage Bible Church
We will serve the Lord
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What Does Joshua 24:15 Mean?
If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the Lord."
This verse comes to us in the course of Joshua's final speech before he dies, a speech given to the whole congregation of Israel.
On the surface, Joshua issues a call to his hearers to serve the Lord in the land by means of his own example and resolve.
Service is, after all, the goal of the exodus, expressed many times over in Moses's confrontation with Pharaoh.
We're familiar with the first part of his charge, "Let my people go," but must remember what he said next: " ... that they may serve me".
What is more, Joshua's generation lives not only on the other side of the Red Sea but in the land promised to Abraham.
Thus, the people standing before Joshua have every reason to serve the Lord.
Not only have they seen his wonders, but Joshua has recounted and interpreted these wonders for them.
As sure as they stand in the land, they stand in the sovereign grace of God, their covenant Lord who has done all to bring them to this momentous place.
Israel had every reason to serve the Lord, and she knew it.
The people replied,
"We would never leave the Lord to serve other gods! The Lord our God brought our fathers and us out of slavery in Egypt, and we saw the miracles that he performed. He kept us safe wherever we went among all the nations through which we passed.
.....Josh. 24:16-17.
But there's more than sunshine in the land and in the hearts of these people on the occasion of this speech.
Clouds on the horizon cast an ominous shadow through Joshua.
Joshua's response to Israel's commitment to obey is shocking:
Joshua said to the people,
"But you may not be able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God and will not forgive your sins. He will tolerate no rivals, and if you leave him to serve foreign gods, he will turn against you and punish you. He will destroy you, even though he was good to you before."
.....Josh. 24:19-20
He sounds like his predecessor, Moses, who predicted the same long-term problem.
The people would not keep covenant and they would be exiled from the land for it.
Joshua was not an unhappy old man who had lost his edge.
He saw clearly and he spoke prophetically.
His words are a roadmap for Israel's next 500 years of stubborn rebellion.
"No, but we will serve the LORD".
Joshua continued,
"Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD".
The reply was, once again, self-assured:
"The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey".
Moses spoke of a greater prophet to come, to whom the people would listen.
That greater prophet would not be Joshua, but he would bear Joshua's name, a name which means "The LORD Is Salvation," the name given to the Lord Jesus
Joshua's call to Israel was urgent: "choose this day whom you will serve".
For us today, this remains an urgent and timely summons to choose the Lord.
What's the difference between them and us?
Do we have any hope of choosing the Lord?
Because of Jesus, yes, we do.
Joshua brought the people into the land of God's presence, but he could not bring them out of rebellion.
Jesus is our new Joshua, a better Saviour who brings a better salvation.
He does so through a new and better covenant, a covenant by which he gives to us a new heart for true service and willing obedience - all by grace
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
Trent Hunter
(MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the pastor of preaching and teaching at Heritage Bible Church in Greer, South Carolina.
He is a contributor for the Gospel Coalition, 9Marks, and Matthias Media, and an instructor for the Simeon Trust workshops on biblical exposition.
He lives with his wife, Kristi, in Greer, South Carolina, with their five children.
His writing and preaching can be found at TrentHunter.net.
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