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Outline 044 of 100 · Joshua

Choose You This Day

Joshua 24:14-24 — The covenant decision every generation must make for itself

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

At the end of his life, Joshua gathered Israel and pressed a decision that could not be inherited: choose this day whom you will serve. He rehearsed the whole history of grace — Abraham called out of idolatry, Egypt's deliverance, the wilderness kept, the land given — before asking for a response, because the gospel always precedes the demand. Joshua's own declaration, 'as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,' models leadership that decides before it commands, and family religion that begins with the head of the home. The chapter also exposes the danger of divided allegiance: Israel claimed to choose the Lord while still keeping household gods, and Joshua forced the choice into the open. True conversion is not a sentiment but a decisive putting away of every rival god, sealed by covenant and remembered by a witnessing stone.

  1. I. Grace rehearsed before choice is demanded

    • Joshua reviewed Abraham's call, Egypt, the wilderness, the land
    • History of mercy is the proper ground for any appeal
    • The gospel always precedes the command to choose

  2. II. No decision can be inherited

    • Each generation must choose for itself
    • Parents' faith is not automatically transferred to children
    • 'Choose you this day' addresses individuals, not just the nation

  3. III. A leader who decides before he commands

    • 'As for me and my house' — Joshua led by resolve, not by pressure
    • Family worship begins with the conviction of the head of the home
    • Leadership in faith is demonstrated, not merely announced

  4. IV. Putting away the strange gods

    • Israel professed loyalty while still keeping idols
    • Joshua exposed the contradiction and demanded a clean choice
    • A witnessing stone sealed the covenant renewal
The appeal

The gods of Egypt and the gods of the Amorites are not gone from the human heart; they simply wear modern names. Whatever divided loyalty you have carried, choose this day, decisively and openly, to serve the Lord — and let your household see you do it.

Key points

  • Rehearsed grace is the proper foundation for any call to decide
  • Faith cannot be inherited; each person must choose personally
  • Genuine conversion puts away every rival god, not merely adds the Lord to them

Key passages

  • Joshua 24:14-15
  • Joshua 24:23
  • Joshua 24:27
  • Matthew 6:24