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As for Me ..., April 29
Joshua 24
Choose you this day whom ye will serve.
Joshua 24:15
.
As Joshua felt the infirmities of age stealing upon him, and realized that his
work must soon close, he was filled with anxiety for the future of his people. It
was with more than a father’s interest that he addressed them, as they gathered
once more about their aged chief....
By Joshua’s direction the ark had been brought from Shiloh. The occasion
was one of great solemnity, and this symbol of God’s presence would deepen the
impression he wished to make upon the people. After presenting the goodness
of God toward Israel, he called upon them, in the name of Jehovah, to choose
whom they would serve. The worship of idols was still to some extent secretly
practiced, and Joshua endeavored now to bring them to a decision that should
banish this sin from Israel.... Joshua desired to lead them to serve God, not by
compulsion, but willingly....
“As for me and my house,” said Joshua, “we will serve Jehovah.” The same
holy zeal that inspired the leader’s heart was communicated to the people. His
appeals called forth the unhesitating response, “God forbid that we should forsake
Jehovah, to serve other gods.” ... Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh
well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to
fulfill. With deep earnestness they repeated the declaration: “Nay; but we will
serve the Lord.” Solemnly consenting to the witness against themselves that they
had chosen Jehovah, they once more reiterated their pledge of loyalty: “The
Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey....” Having written an
account of this solemn transaction, he placed it, with the book of the law, in the
side of the ark....
Joshua’s work for Israel was done. He had “wholly followed the Lord;”
and in the book of God he is written, “The servant of Jehovah.” The noblest
testimony to his character as a public leader is the history of the generation that
had enjoyed his labors: “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all
the days of the elders that overlived Joshua.
[126]
43
Ibid., 521-524
.
128