VITAL DECISION
Joshua 24:14–24
In the previous chapters, we find the distribution of portions of the promised land by tribe. Joshua and the tribal elders made the assignments.
There are several interesting notes from the preceding chapters. Cities of refuge were established for people who accidentally killed someone else.
The names of each of those cities — including Kedesh, Shechem and Hebron — describe Jesus Christ, who is our Refuge. It is also interesting to note that the Levites were not assigned a portion of land but were given cities.
Challenge (14–18)
Chapter 23 contains Joshua’s farewell address to the people. There is great symmetry between this chapter and chapter 1.
In verse 6, Joshua encourages them to be very courageous to do all that the Lord had commanded in the book of the law. They were instructed to reject the other gods of the people.
Their success in the land would depend upon their faithfulness to the Lord. He recounts their history and challenges them to serve God alone.
In Joshua 24:15 Joshua proclaims, “As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”
The challenges faced by the children of Israel in the promised land are similar to the ones we face in our time. The children of Israel faced challenges to compromise God’s directions. They would be tempted to adopt the gods of other nations and intermarry with pagans.
In 2026, we face the same types of temptation to align ourselves with the culture of this world and to compromise biblical truth for popularity.
What challenges do you face in this fallen world?
What has it cost you to take a stand for God?
Warning (19–24)
Joshua challenged them to “get rid of the foreign gods that are among you.” This indicates that many had already inculcated these pagan gods into their cultural and religious lives. That is the very definition of syncretism.
It reminds me of the old Brylcreem hair cream motto — “a little dab will do ‘ya.” You take a little of this and a little of that, and you create your own hybrid religion. Some Christian churches today have compromised the truth of the Bible.
Following Joshua’s warning, the people restated their commitment to serve and follow the Lord God. Joshua recorded their commitment and set up a memorial stone in Shechem and told the people that the stone would be a witness against them if they failed to keep the covenant.
What are some of the other temptations we face in our modern culture?
What impact has the internet and social media had on promulgating these pagan philosophies?
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
