What Is the Real Meaning Behind Joshua 24:14-15?
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“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b).
It is a powerful declaration and a beloved verse for many that we see everywhere: in Christian homes on plaques; on coffee mugs; bumper stickers.
In general, this verse expresses a devotion to the God of the Bible. It also shows the person’s commitment not only to serve the Lord, but to raise and teach their family to be devoted to God in the same way.
While this view is not incorrect, the verse seems to have a significantly different application in context of the book of Joshua – a difference that could absolutely be applicable to Christians today. Certainly, a look at the surrounding context is important to truly understand the depth of the statement.
What Led Joshua to Say This?
Joshua had served loyally and valiantly as Moses’ assistant – his second in command – as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. They then spent the next forty years in the wilderness, still under Moses’ leadership. That generation was barred from entering the Promised Land – God’s rest – as a result of their disbelief and disloyalty (Numbers 13-14). Thus, they were sentenced to wander the wilderness for forty years. Their children would be the ones to conquer the Promised Land.
Technically, Joshua was a part of that unfaithful generation. He and Caleb had been in the group of spies to scope out the Promised Land ahead of time. They were the only two to bring back a good report:
“Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us’” (Numbers 13:6-8).
After the death of Moses, Joshua led the next generation of Israelites to great victories in the land of Canaan, establishing a foothold in the Promised Land. Then, as his death approached, Joshua gathered the people of Israel together to encourage them to renew their covenant with the Lord. As Moses had done, Joshua offered them a choice – to serve the God of the surrounding, defeated nations, or to serve the Lord their God.
See, the Israelites had been having a very difficult time keeping their commitment, their covenant, with God. So, Joshua warned them and took his stand:
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).
The Israelites then answer in unison: “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!” (Joshua 24:16).
Despite their best intentions, Israel would fail to keep their commitment.
Are We Failing Today?
Indeed, Israel would fail for many generations to keep their commitment to serve the Lord. The truth is, Joshua knew it was impossible and he told them so:
“Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins’” (Joshua 24:19).
Clearly, Joshua understood the holiness of God. The covenant God made with Israel – with Moses – simply could not be kept by broken, fallen people. Even today, we too are incapable of keeping the commands of that first covenant. But God knew we would fail. That old covenant had been given only as a “guardian” to teach people the expectations until their Savior arrived (Galatians 3:24-29.) In other words, until Jesus. Jesus alone was capable of keeping the old covenant – the Law. In fact, he fulfilled it.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17-18).
And thus, by fulfilling the Law, he rendered it obsolete.
“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (Hebrews 8:13).
Jesus offered a new way – a new covenant. One that was not impossible for men to keep. God blessed Israel by giving them a land for which they had not labored and did not deserve. He has blessed us with mercy for which we need not labor and have not earned.
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:4-10).
Jesus died as payment for our sins. He rose again in victory over sin and death. All who trust in him – all who commit to serving him and him alone – are forgiven of their sin and given new life.
Today, the words of Joshua are no less true. Through our faith in Christ Jesus, we are called to serve the Lord. We are called to live a life in Christ – not simply in our behavior, our actions or works, but in our hearts.
Where Is Your Heart?
These questions can only be answered between you and the Lord. Are you serving God only with your words – or with a devoted heart? You profess Jesus; you profess God. You go to church and you give. You might even serve at the church as an usher or teach Sunday school, or perhaps you are even serving on the church board.
But are you completely, totally surrendered and committed to Christ Jesus? Deep in your heart, where it really counts? Or are you simply a cultural Christian – committed to a religion but not to Christ?
The Israelites needed to commit to outwardly following God’s commands – and failed even at that. In their hearts, they were idolaters. Like today, there are those who give lip service to serving the Lord, but their hearts are far from him.
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” (Isaiah 29:13).
As for Me and My House…
In Joshua’s time, the head of the house certainly carried a different meaning than today. Joshua quite likely meant his immediate family, plus his extended family over which he was the patriarch. His commitment to serve the Lord carried to that extended family. Joshua could guarantee that he would not allow worship of any other “gods” – any other deity – by anyone in his family. Then again, during that time, keeping that covenant consisted predominantly of external actions. Joshua certainly could not control or dictate the deepest feelings of those in his family.
Today, things are a bit different, aren’t they? But maybe not by as much as we may think. Today, a Christian father is – or should be – the spiritual leader of his household. When that father hangs something in the home that says “as for me and my house, we will serve Lord,” hopefully he is proclaiming it as Joshua did – although quite likely he is thinking more of his immediate family living under his roof.
Christian parents indeed have a responsibility to make sure that what goes on in that home honors God – and to prevent anything that does the opposite. But like Joshua – can a Christian parent today control anything more than external actions? Can they control inner feelings and beliefs? Hardly. Not to mention that the authority Joshua would have possessed was quite likely far greater authority and influence over his family than exists today.
Like Joshua, parents are powerless to dictate how and what their children believe, desire, or feel. This is especially true as those children grow to adulthood. However, we can be assured that any parent who gives nothing but lip service to their faith and does not have the Holy Spirit living in their hearts can never succeed at teaching their children.
What parents today must do then is communicate to their children their personal faith; to instill in them a love for the Lord – a love for Christ Jesus – allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell and work within them to change their hearts.
Whom Will You Serve?
Jesus calls those who follow him to abide in him and to obey his words. So many believe that we are all children of God – and it is simply not accurate. Only those who have committed their hearts to Christ have been given that right:
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12).
When we give our lives to Christ, he has promised us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Joshua recognized that their Lord was God – and he is our God too. Jesus Christ is the only one worthy of serving. Joshua indeed made his confident declaration of his commitment to God. Even though he knew that the Law could not be kept by broken, fallen people – his confidence and trust was in God. He knew God would provide a way – and provide a way, he did.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).
Joshua told the Israelites that their hypocrisy wasn’t going to cut it. They each needed to decide whether to serve the true, living God – or serve themselves and their idols. It was a day of decision – each man needed to go on record for or against God. Joshua made his position clear – he and his house would serve the Lord.
So it is today. Jesus does not offer us the choice of a middle ground. Jesus warned that if we are lukewarm, he would spit us out of his mouth (Revelation 3:16.)
Joshua made his commitment of faithfulness clear. Here, now – some 3600 years later – we are called to do the same, aren’t we?
So – choose yourselves this day, whom you will serve?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.