Yielded Hearts
Joshua 24:23
"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Joshua assembled Israel for one last speech. He began by saying "This is what the Lord says..." which makes me wonder how the Lord said it. History is recounted briefly, beginning with Abraham beyond the River and going to the present. Did God say that to Joshua just before the speech, or was it written somewhere, a quick history of the nation? Did Moses give it to him?
God's words end at verse 13, and then Joshua continues with his first plea to throw away false gods in verse 14. The gods must have been statues, carvings, physical things like the gods Rachel took from her father. They were objects that could be discarded, so that they would no longer be worshipped.
Verse 15 has the famous line: But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. The people replied that they too would serve God, but Joshua is skeptical. They protest once more that they will, and then comes verse 23, above. Again, throw away foreign gods and yield your hearts to the Lord...
A third time the people declare they will serve God. Joshua writes it all down.
God, help me throw away foreign gods and yield my heart totally to you. Help me to yield constantly, always throwing away those foreign gods.
"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Joshua assembled Israel for one last speech. He began by saying "This is what the Lord says..." which makes me wonder how the Lord said it. History is recounted briefly, beginning with Abraham beyond the River and going to the present. Did God say that to Joshua just before the speech, or was it written somewhere, a quick history of the nation? Did Moses give it to him?
God's words end at verse 13, and then Joshua continues with his first plea to throw away false gods in verse 14. The gods must have been statues, carvings, physical things like the gods Rachel took from her father. They were objects that could be discarded, so that they would no longer be worshipped.
Verse 15 has the famous line: But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. The people replied that they too would serve God, but Joshua is skeptical. They protest once more that they will, and then comes verse 23, above. Again, throw away foreign gods and yield your hearts to the Lord...
A third time the people declare they will serve God. Joshua writes it all down.
God, help me throw away foreign gods and yield my heart totally to you. Help me to yield constantly, always throwing away those foreign gods.
posted by ruthees @ 1:21 PM
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