Joshua 24:1-28 “choose this day whom you will serve”

Joshua 24:1-28 records Joshua’s third and final farewell message to God’s people.  It is designed to help them maintain the LifePlus God has graciously provided for them.  One key to this section is to note the repetition of idolatry in v. 2 and v. 14.  When the people express their good intentions to worship God alone, Joshua says, “You are not able to...for he is a holy God...” (v. 19).  Of course, we know the rest of the story: God’s people didn’t keep their end of the covenant and were taken into exile.  The covenant Joshua made with the people at this renewal service (vv. 25-27) was violated and God judged His people severely.  Thankfully, the rest of the story includes another covenant made by Jesus’ blood (cf. Hebrews 8:6-12; 13:20-21).  By faith in Christ we fulfill our obligation to the covenant and live a life that pleases God (cf. Gal. 2:20).