Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem for one final address. He began by recounting God’s redemptive acts in Israel’s short history. Joshua wanted to make sure the people understood their history, their present, and their future. Had God not revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; worked mightily through Moses to bring them out of Egypt; and given them the land of Canaan, then they wouldn’t have any identity as a people (Josh. 24:1-13).
Joshua needed to remind them of their present responsibilities living as God’s people. Joshua said, “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in severity and in truth” (Josh. 24:14). Israel was to put away any gods the previous generation may have served, and serve Jehovah completely.
Joshua used the word “serve” fifteen times in this final address. The Hebrew word for “serve” that is employed here means to “toil,” “work,” or “expend considerable energy and intensity in a task or function.” You cannot expend considerable energy on more than one thing. Jesus said it like this, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt. 6:24). That’s why Joshua told the people to put away any other gods. Jehovah is a jealous God, and He will not share the space within any heart (Ex. 24:14; Josh. 24:19).
This was Joshua’s proclamation, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). It didn’t matter to Joshua if anyone else in Israel served the Lord. He had made up his mind that he and his family would serve Him!
Dear reader, what are you serving? What are you giving your time and energy to? What are you devoting your life to? Put away anything that would steal your devotion to Jesus Christ. Beloved, serve the Lord with gladness!