Joshua, 24
22. Joshua therefore said to the people, "You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the LORD." They replied, "We are, indeed!"
22. Joshua therefore said to the people, "You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the LORD." They replied, "We are, indeed!"
Joshua chapter 24 deals with the renewal of the covenant between God and Israel. Joshua brings together all the tribes of Israel in Shechem and, after remembering God's faithfulness to the people throughout history, he asks the people to choose whom to serve. The people answer that they will choose to serve God. Below are five verses related to the topics addressed in Joshua 24:
Genesis 24:27: "I, Abraham, servant of the Lord, received instructions from the Lord to choose a wife for the son of my Lord." In this verse, Abraham refers to the covenant God made with Him and promised to bless his offspring. The wife's choice for Isaac was a fulfillment of this promise and demonstrated God's faithfulness.
Exodus 20:2: "I am the Lord, His God, who took them from the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery." The beginning of the ten commandments establishes God's authority as the liberator of Israel. God's faithfulness in liberating his people from Egypt is the foundation of the covenant between God and Israel.
Deuteronomy 10:12: "And now, Israel, what the Lord, your God, demands from you, but what a theme the Lord, your God, walk in all your ways, love Him and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul? " Moses reiterates the importance of serving God with all his heart and total obedience. This verse reflects the choice that the people of Israel makes in Joshua 24.
2 Kings 17:38: "Do not forget the covenant I made with you and do not worship other gods." This verse is a reminder to the importance of faithfulness to the covenant with God. Worshiping other gods is a betrayal of the covenant.
Psalm 119:106: "I swear, and I will fulfill, to observe your righteous decrees." The psalmist declares his intention to obey God's commandments. The choice of the people of Israel to serve God in Joshua 24 is a similar statement of commitment and obedience.
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