March 15th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Follow Me!

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Good Lord, in my busy, noisy world, I long to hear Your voice. Speak to me through Your Word today.

Read Joshua 24:1-15

[1] Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. [2] Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. [3] But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, [4] and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt. [5] “‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. [6] When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. [7] But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time. [8] “‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land. [9] When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. [10] But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand. [11] “‘Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. [12] I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you-also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. [13] So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’ [14] “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. [15] But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

What have been some high points in your spiritual journey so far? Thank God for his work in your life.

Think Further

Chapter 23 was the account of Joshua’s private farewell to the leaders of Israel. Some have suggested that chapter 24 is another account of the same event, but it more likely describes a public ceremony where Joshua leads the people in renewing their covenant with God. There is great spiritual value in remembering what God has done for us, and in reaffirming our intent to follow him. Whenever and however we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, that’s what should be in our hearts (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

Joshua’s God-inspired overview of Israel’s history reveals several interesting themes. First, idolatry was part of Abraham’s family system (2) and became part of Israel’s spiritual DNA. We should not think of idolatry only as a primitive custom, involving statues of silver and gold. Whenever we allow anything to take a higher priority than God, we’re guilty of idolatry. A second theme is the “you-and-I” refrain that runs through this account. Notice how God refers to his own actions: I took, I gave, I sent, I assigned. And notice how aware he is of his people: count the number of times he refers to “you.” It reminds us that the big story of the Bible is God’s very personal effort to rebuild the broken relationship with humankind.

Joshua concludes with a dramatic call to commitment (15), the second half of which makes a wonderful mission statement for any parent, grandparent or care-giver. Joshua understood that the best way to influence people towards God’s purposes was not just to tell them what to do, but also to show them. “Follow me!” may be the motto of the US Army Infantry, but centuries earlier Joshua discovered it was also the key to spiritual leadership. Jesus, too, used it to invite people to new life (John 1:43; Luke 9:23).

Apply

What are the most important things in your life? How could you more fully respond to Jesus’ call to “follow me” this week?

Closing prayer

Gracious God, as I look over my life I can see where You went before me, opening closed doors, giving direction and strength. I thank You and bless Your name. Help me follow You faithfully.

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