Joshua 24

The Explanation

Joshua is old. He has led Israel for years, fought battles, divided the land among the tribes. Now he knows: my time is almost over. So he calls all the tribes together at Shechem, a place with a long history. Here Abraham once heard God's promise. Here Jacob buried the idols of his family. And now Israel stands here again.

Joshua speaks, but the words that come out of his mouth are not his own. He says: "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel." Then God Himself tells the story. He begins way back with Abraham, who lived on the other side of the river and served other gods. God took him, led him, gave him a son. He rescued the people from Egypt, brought them through the sea, gave them the land they now live in. Not because they were so strong, but because He wanted to.

After this long story, Joshua says something sharp: "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served." And then he says that famous sentence: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

The people answer eagerly: we will serve God too! But Joshua does something strange. He says: "You can't serve the LORD." He warns them that God is holy and jealous, and that they must not think it will be easy. Three times he asks whether they really mean it. Three times they say yes.

Then Joshua sets up a large stone under an oak tree. "This stone shall be a witness against us," he says. If we ever forget, this stone remembers. Shortly afterward Joshua dies. He is buried in his own piece of land. The chapter ends with three graves: Joshua, Joseph (whose bones were finally buried in the land, after hundreds of years), and Eleazar the priest. Three graves, and one people that has said yes to God.

What Does This Mean?

This chapter is about a covenant. A covenant is more than a promise. It is an agreement between God and people, where both sides say: we belong together. God says: I have done all this for you. And the people answer: then we choose You.

Notice that God speaks first about what He has done, before He asks anything from the people. That is important. God does not first say, "Do your best, and then I will love you." He first tells what He has given, and only then asks for an answer.

Joshua is honest. He does not make it sweeter than it is. He says: choose carefully, because God is not a hobby you pick up on the side. That is a bit uncomfortable, but also refreshing. Joshua trusts his people enough to be honest with them.

The Common Thread

The stone under the oak tree remembers. But stones can be forgotten too. Later in the Bible, Israel does forget God, over and over again. That is why a new covenant comes, one that Jesus makes. He does not lay down a stone; He gives Himself. At the Last Supper He says: "This is the new covenant in my blood." Jesus is the true "yes" to God that we ourselves can never fully speak. Through Him we belong to God's people, just like Israel at Shechem, but even more deeply.

For You

Joshua asks Israel to choose. That question comes to you too, though not just once. Every day there are small moments where you choose whom you listen to. Sometimes the "other gods" of your life are not statues, but things like your phone, being popular, always winning, or always being right.

You do not have to be perfect to say yes to God. Joshua's people were not perfect either. But you can say, together with your family or on your own: "I want to belong to Jesus." And when you forget, He does not forget you. That is the difference between a stone and a Savior.

Talk About It

What "other gods" do you think are the trickiest for kids your age? Things that quietly become more important than God?

Joshua says the people can't serve God on their own. What do you think he meant, and does that also count for us?

Praying Together

Lord God, You have done so much before we even knew You. Thank You for Jesus, who said the perfect yes for us. Help me today to choose You, also in small things. And when I forget, remind me. Amen.