I wanted to get some additional thoughts about the 24th chapter of Joshua out while they were still fairly fresh in my mind and before we turn our attention more directly to 2nd Corinthians.
Joshua kind of "threw it down" to the people of Israel in the final chapter of the book. He knew his days on earth were numbered, and I guess that when the curtain is about to come down, you tend to "just say it." Joshua was very direct in chapter 24 and he did some of those things we have seen throughout the book to try and make his words stick- things like re-write parts of the covenant in the Book of the Law of God, (v. 26) and setting a large stone out as a "witness" to all that had been said that day, (v. 26-27). Both are very "Joshua-like" things to do.
As we leave this book, there are some things I think are worth considering about this challenge that Joshua issued in chapter 24. Here they are in list form... sort of:
1. The Integrity of the Mediator
Joshua was not perfect, but he was certainly a man of God. At the end of the chapter he is referred to as "Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord" That title, "servant of the Lord", had only been used in conjunction with Moses up to this point. My point here is this- this challenge placed before the people came from someone of great integrity and faith. The source of the challenge is important here. This is not just bible Joe Schmoe talking. If Joshua says these things, the people would do well to listen.
It is not any different for us. In fact, the challenge we have as "modern day Christians" was / is issued from the Author of Salvation- from the very epitome of integrity- from Jesus Christ Himself. We dare not pass off the challenge of living a Godly life, if for no other reason, than just for the fact that it was/is Jesus Himself who issues the challenge.
2. The Matter of Choice:
We talked about it. Pure allegiance to God can only be by personal choice. Of course He is powerful enough to MAKE us love Him, but what kind of love would that be? When my children, (Christian and Sarah), were small there were two ways I could get a hug from them. I could MAKE them do it. I was bigger, stronger, faster... I could force them to hug me. And it would mean nothing. The only hugs that really meant anything were the ones that were voluntary. "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." Choice makes all the difference.
3. The Necessity of Choice
In speaking about the matter of accepting Christ, I heard someone say once, "Not to decide is to decide." This whole issue of what we do with God in our lives is not something that can be "tabled for later consideration". For the people of Israel, to put off the decision was to choose against God. We live in an age of grace, (and its a good thing we do!), and there is such thing as deferred judgement and there are "second chances", but still, not to decide is to decide. We, and the world, either choose God or we don't. We don't get to "sit this one out."
4. The Extent of the Conditions
Joshua told the people to get rid of all false gods several times in chapter 24. This choice he laid out before the people had to be an all-enveloping choice. There could be no remnant of foreign gods. Those gods were designed by man to "rule" over specific circumstances at specific times. With the God we know there is none of that. God is not different for the young or the old. God is not different for the wealthy or the poor. God is not different for the man or the woman or the desperate or the "secure". He is God. To every extent. In every circumstance. There is no need for anyone or anything else. And this complete devotion is what God desires.
5. The Peril of Engagement
If we humans are fallible and fickle, and God demands and desires such complete devotion, would it not be better for us not to enter this "arrangement"? Because, after all, we know we are going to fail! Well, that is a pickle isn't it.? Or it would be were it not for the blood of Christ and the Grace of God. I think we all would join our voices together to say "Praise God for the gift of forgiveness and salvation!" But there is still this truth- especially pertinent any new convert to Christ or anyone contemplating that initial "leap of faith"- the stakes are high. To the new Christian, entering into this arrangement with God seems to place much at risk- our very soul. But as we live with God we learn that any risk or cost extended by us is guaranteed countless times over by the Creator of the universe.
6. The Serious Nature of Acceptance
Closely related to the previous item, when one enters a covenant with God, it is different than any other agreement that we will ever make and it should be treated as so. It is alarming to see how many treat their own promises. It seems we often say whatever is functional at the time with no real thought to the "follow through" that is required. We dare not treat our discourse with God in this manner. When we speak with God and we pronounce our intention to be faithful, we must not casually pass off our words at a later time.
7. The Nearness of Consequence
Time seems to drag on and on to us. Because we do not reap the consequence for sin "immediately" we begin to think there will be no consequence. We do it on many levels. We do it as individuals, we do it as communities, and we certainly do it as a nation. We tend to forget that it is what we do this day that makes the biggest difference. To paraphrase a C.S. Lewis quote, the present is that part of time that comes the closest to touching eternity. The past cannot be changed, the future has not come, so it is what we do now that makes the most difference.
Well there it is. Ideas and thoughts that I stumbled upon as I prepared our discussion of Joshua 24. Hope you find them thought provoking and encouraging!
Just Keep Swimming...
Jon
nice work ... thanks for the extra insights!! :)
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