Eld Chew Chong Kiat

1.  Introduction

I recall choosing Joshua 24:15, with my wife, as our wedding theme in 1995, and “O Jesus, I have promised” (RHC 418) as the closing hymn. How time has flown and in a few days, as I am penning these words, I will give my eldest daughter away in marriage to set up a new family for Christ. I look back with gratefulness to God who is faithful to me and my house, despite our imperfections and failures. To God alone be the glory.

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad….” “for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.” (Ps 98:1b , 126:3)

Let’s consider what led to these immortal words of Joshua, the servant of the LORD.

2.  God gathered them to hear His voice (v1-2a)

Aged Joshua, knowing that his days were numbered, was moved in his heart by the LORD to charge the people of Israel to serve the LORD with singlemindedness. He called the representatives of all the tribes of Israel to gather at Shechem (v1). Why Shechem? It was a significant place that evoked a strong sentiment for Joshua’s appeal. It was situated between Mt Ebal and Mt Gerizim, where Joshua gathered Israel to rehearse the words of cursing for disobedience, and of blessing for obedience (Deut 27, Jos 8:30-35). And although it was Joshua who gathered the people, they were not standing before Joshua, but “they presented themselves before (i.e. in the face of) God” (v1). And Joshua did not bring them his words, but “Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel…” (v2a). Joshua was only the mouthpiece. We are also reminded that each time we gather as God’s people, we are gathered before Him to hear His voice and not the voice of man.

3.  God turned them from idolatry to serve God (v2b-3a)

Israel descended from Abraham who was an idolater. He knew not God until God saved him in Christ Jesus. God in His mercies revealed Himself and called him to go to a land that God promised to him. Israel must remember that they were God’s people not because they were better than the rest of the world, but because of God’s s saving grace alone. We who are truly born again are the product of God’s grace alone. There is nothing good in us that we can boast of. God in His grace chose us and in His mercies pardoned us. It is God who took the first step in saving us.

4.  God multiplied his seed (v3b-4)

God gave Abraham the promised seed in his old age and kept His promise to multiply his seed “as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore” (Gen 22:17). And God delivered the sons of Jacob from the famine by sending them to Egypt, a nesting place, to grow them to a great multitude in 430 years (Exo 12:40). It is God alone who preserved them and gave the increase against all odds.

5.  God delivered them from slavery (v5-7)

And when it was time for God to fulfil His promise that He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God sent Moses and Aaron and brought them out from slavery in Egypt, with a great and mighty hand. Pharaoh and his army pursued them into the Red Sea which God parted.When they cried unto the LORD, God’s pillar of cloud became darkness to the Egyptians but light to the people of Israel. After they crossed the Red Sea, the LORD drowned Pharaoh and his army. Did not God do the same for us, by delivering us from spiritual bondage of sin, condemnation, and hopelessness, when Jesus broke the fetters of sin, caused condemnation to pass from us and gave us perfect liberty to live unto righteousness?

6.  God gave possession of the land (v8-13)

The Promised Land would be dispossessed of its original occupants and given freely to Israel for a possession. The inhabitants were formidable in size, experience, and resources. But they were  nothing before the Almighty and them that trusted in Him. Notice the number of times that “I” was used. It was God who brought, who fought, who gave, who destroyed, who delivered, who sent…. Israel was only the instrument. There were times when they were altogether passive and did not even need to lift the sword or use the bow: God sent the hornets to drive out the people (v12). They were blessed instead of being cursed by Balaam; they stayed in houses and cities they did not build; they ate of the fruits of the vines and olives that they did not plant. In short, they moved into a land that was fruitful, furnished, and ready to be occupied. None could resist the army of Israel as they advanced in faith in the banner of Jehovah. How thankful they ought to be!  How rich are the blessings of the LORD to His children, and He does not add sorrow to it. (Prov 10:22)

7.  God’s call to serve him in singleness of heart (v14-16)

It is only reasonable that God should expect those who have received such great benefits to happily serve Him. Joshua could have used a command but chose instead to beseech them that he may get a cheerful and ready obedience. “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth” (v14a). Stand in awe and honour of God who made a covenant of love with us and serve Him with our whole heart in honesty and singlemindedness.

And “put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.”(v14b) It is very sad that some had secretly kept idols in their tents, idols whom the forefathers of Abraham and those in Egypt worshipped. God is so longsuffering and did not judge them but exhorted them through Joshua to put the idols away at once. The LORD alone had done all the wondrous things, and they ought to worship Him alone.  

Joshua made his choice, as he recounted the mercies and grace of God, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (v15)

Yes, the choice is clear. What will you choose? Be not doubleminded. No man can serve two masters. You cannot be the exception. Have you decided whom you will devote yourself to serve? And not just you, but your family as well. In your home, as a father or mother, as a husband or wife, or as a son or daughter, have you resolved to obey God’s command and prescribed role for you? Parents, do you ensure that your children know the Lord and love and serve Him? Children, do you seek to honour your parents, to seek that they be saved in Christ if they are not, or if they are saved to provoke them to love and serve God by your zeal? At work or school, are you an ambassador of God, the salt to influence and a light to shine for Christ? Col 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Col 3:23) Do you witness for Christ and pray for opportunity to do so?  That is the meaning of serving the Lord. Are you a Christian in your home? Don’t only be a Christian when you arrive at the door of God’s house and “change tag” once you leave the church compound.

Serve the LORD all the days of your life, and not you alone, but your house. Amen.