Joshua 24:1-15 [16-26]
At the end of the wilderness experience God again reminds the people of Go of their history, of their story, of the narrative of the people of God and God. Joshua then presents the people with an ultimatum. Choose this day whom you will serve – Gods of the land beyond the river, Gods of the people in the land, of the Lord. More than just an ultimatum, he also gives the answer for himself and his family.
After this entire journey, before starting the next thing, there still is a need to make a choice, a conscious decision, a positive affirmation. Joshua lays the choices out in front of the people. Joshua actually seems to do his best to discourage the people, the people he has been called to lead. He seems to think that they can’t or won’t be faithful. Three times Joshua asks, challenges, the people to follow God. Three times the people affirm that they will. To remind them, they make a covenant and create a monument.
At what points in our lives do we choose to follow the Lord? How are they marked for us? What are the monuments that we have erected along the way to remind us of our covenants with God?
