Just as Moses made a farewell address in the book of Deuteronomy (11/21/14), Joshua makes a farewell address in Joshua 24. The conquest of Canaan has proceeded, mostly according to the plan laid out by Moses.  The people are becoming comfortable in their new land.  Joshua’s address is mostly a warning to be obedient and fear the LORD.

Like Moses, Joshua gives a history lesson beginning with Abraham.  Joshua is able to add the later history bits that Moses did not know – the LORD’s work in Jericho, in driving out the inhabitants (including the use of hornets!), and in providing dwellings, cities, vineyards and orchards.

Joshua reminds the people that their recent history was the LORD’s work and they must choose between the God who saved them and the foreign gods of the defeated former inhabitants.  Joshua’s stirring “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” speech (vs 15) inspires the people to agree, but Joshua knows their hearts. Once they experience a bit of peace, it will be very easy to forget to honor and fear the One who brought them in.

The same warning is true for us, as supplied by Jesus’ parable of the sower in Mark 4.18: “And others are the ones sown among thorns.  They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”  We need to remember Joshua’s warning every day, to choose whom we will serve.