Day 79 · Part 5: The Promised Land
Choose This Day
In the Story
In context
Joshua, “old and well advanced in years,” called Israel’s leaders together (Joshua 23:1–2). “I am going the way of all the earth,” he said, a way of saying he would soon die, and “not one thing has failed of all the good things which Yahweh your God spoke concerning you” (23:14). He warned them not to serve the gods of the nations still in the land (23:6–13).
At Shechem, where the Lord had first promised Abraham the land (Genesis 12:6–7), Joshua gave the people the Lord’s words, telling their story from Terah, who lived “beyond the River” (the Euphrates), to “a land on which you had not labored” (24:1–13). Then he said, “choose today whom you will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh” (24:15). The people answered, “We will serve Yahweh our God” (24:24), and Joshua set up a great stone under the oak as a witness (24:26–27).
Joshua died at a hundred and ten and was buried at Timnathserah (24:29–30). Joseph’s bones, carried out of Egypt as he had asked, were buried at Shechem in the field Jacob had bought (24:32; Genesis 50:25; 33:19). Israel served the Lord all of Joshua’s days, and the days of the elders who outlived him (24:31).
“Blessed be Yahweh, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant. May Yahweh our God be with us as he was with our fathers. Let him not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.
1 Kings 8:56–58 · Joshua says “not one thing has failed” of the Lord’s good promises; at the temple Solomon says, “There has not failed one word of all his good promise.”
For families
Joshua spoke for his household as well as for himself: “as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh” (Joshua 24:15).
If your family had words over the door, what would they say?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Joshua 23
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Joshua 24
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A hymn for today
Trust and Obey · words by John H. Sammis
- When we walk with the LordIn the light of His word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will,He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a shadow can rise,Not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt nor a fear,Not a sigh nor a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a burden we bear,Not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief nor a loss,Not a frown nor a cross,But is blest if we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- But we never can proveThe delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows,And the joy He bestows,Are for all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way;What He says we will do,Where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.