14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 ESV
Joshua was a great leader of Israel, having possibly one of the most difficult assignments in world history; leading after Moses. Joshua also had possibly the greatest privilege in that he was Moses personal assistant, having first hand access to see Moses’ devotional time, possibly overhearing his prayers, and front row seats to the miracles in the wilderness. Joshua over the course of his life led the Israelites in numerous battles both as their leader, and under the leadership of Moses, and the Israelites experienced great victories and a few defeats with him in front. However, Joshua was well aware of the fact that the Israelites would encounter challenges ahead after his death that he would not accompany them for, or be able to save them from. I believe that Joshua under the guidance of the Holy Spirit does quite possibly the greatest thing we can do for a people that we love, but can not save; present them the opportunity to allow God to lead their lives. It would appear that this was one of the first genuine offers of salvation in the Bible. Interestingly enough, the names Joshua and Jesus mean the same thing, I don’t think it was by coincidence that Joshua was charged with leading the children of Israel into a new land or kingdom, and charging them to make a choice to abide in God’s covenant or their own ways. Joshua understanding that the Israelites did not need Joshua’s presence or leadership, but that they actually need a true, authentic relationship with God that can sustain them for the life’s challenges ahead of them. Joshua knew that the people were at a crossroads at the time of his death, vast amounts of land lay unclaimed, idolatry surrounded them, and quite possibly was already being practiced by the people, and a day would come when there would be a generation of the Israelites who didn’t experience slavery in Egypt, or the journey through the wilderness. When this time came, Joshua knew they would need more than stories of a past where their people were oppressed, stories of miracles concerning manna, quail, and water, and stories of them conquering land where giants ruled. Joshua knew that the Israelites at there current capacity, weren’t even operating at 99.5%, but actually somewhere much less than that. Joshua instead chooses to do the same thing that Moses did to them years earlier on the other side of the Jordan river (Deuteronomy 31:24-30, and chapt 32), but he takes it a step further. Joshua gives the people a choice, BUT he makes a declaration for him and his household. He acknowledges the right and possibility of man to not choose God, but verbalized what he would do. He later tells the people how they could live in the 100% that God has prepared for them
Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
joshua 24:23 NIV
You must not only choose God and turn towards him, but you must also throw away, turn from, and release that which does not align with, or represent God. Joshua knew that a verbal declaration is necessary, but without a change of behavior and action, it is useless. As parents, mentors, and teachers, we must prepare ourselves and those that we are responsible for, for the journey ahead without us, so that they may have access and knowledge of the source of wisdom, knowledge, strength, peace, etc. Love is giving those we love the agility to choose, but with the truth of the consequences that come with our actions and choices.
Reflection Time
How do you show your love for those that you are responsible for and accountable to? Have you given those under you the hard truth in love? Where do you see those under headed after your presence with them is over? Pray for direction and wisdom on how to best lead and support your “tribe” for the journey ahead with God.
