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Scripture Reading: Joshua 24

I would guess Joshua 24:15 is the most well-known verse in the book. The chapter puts before us the challenge of every second generation of faith – drift. Spiritual drift from the faith of our fathers is not inevitable, but it is certainly imaginable. The second generation didn’t experience the slavery and wilderness of the ones that preceded it. They only know the vineyard’s fruit and the orchard’s olives (24:13).

There is something about ease and prosperity that slackens our walk with Christ and turns our hearts inward toward self. Israel repeatedly fell into the cycle of sin, suffering, supplication, and salvation. It seems suffering is the only thing that would drive them back to God.

Joshua seems pessimistic about Israel’s chances of being consistently faithful (24:19). Thus, his challenge to “choose you this day,” and his commitment that “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

All of us need to be challenged in this way. All of us need to be committed in this way.