As For Me and My House

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Joshua 24:15b
Psalters: 381, 24, 173, 90
Sacrament of Baptism
  1. Joshua is old ? 110 years old (23:1; 24:29) and about to die, so he addresses Israel.
    1. First, Joshua reminded them of God?s wonderful work of delivering and caring for them (23:3-5; 24:2-13).
      1. He admonishes them to be courageous to keep and do God?s law (23:6,8,11).
      2. Their obedience is encouraged by showing God?s past actions and His future promises (23:9,10).
    2. Joshua commands them to fear and serve Jehovah.
      1. This is a reverential affection for God.
      2. This attitude will make their service of Jehovah to be ?in sincerity and in truth? (14).
    3. The service of God stands over against all idols (23:7; 24:14b,15a).
      1. Serve the Lord only!
      2. The service of Jehovah may seem ?evil.?
      3. Notice that the alternate choice Joshua gives is between two different sets of idols.
  2. Joshua boldly declares his desire and sets himself up as an example.
    1. First, he declares that his choice is the service of Jehovah.
      1. ?Jehovah? is the Self-sufficient God, Who is complete in Himself and therefore completely independent.
      2. This is a personal choice, regardless of what ?everybody else does.?
      3. Such service arises from knowing His ability (Creator and Redeemer) and His infinite love and perfect wisdom.
    2. Joshua also sets Himself up as an example.
      1. This is not an idle boast, nor an influential trick, nor a means to manipulate them to follow.
      2. To compel his fellow-saints to obedient service, Joshua saw the importance of his example.
  3. The significance.
    1. Joshua?s ?will? indicates His resolve, a resolution of what he desires and intends.
      1. This resolve indicates that all debate and questions are finished.
      2. His resolution expresses the desire to be consistent, even if he must walk alone.
    2. He expresses his resolve openly and publicly (not secretly).
    3. This vow of consecration is very influential in a home.