March 6th

March 6th -- Joshua 24:1-31 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2024:1-31&version=NLT)

The Lord's Covenant Renewed.

After Joshua's farewell, he gathers the people to him. He summarizes the stories very briefly of their ancestors (Terah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) up to Egypt, then goes on to speak of Moses and Aaron whom God sent to deliver them from Egypt. He reminds them of the miracles they've seen. Then he goes on to say how God was with them in fighting all the nations they have conquered to gain their land. He tells the people to fear God and worship Him wholeheartedly.

The people say they will serve God and will not abandon Him, but Joshua warns them if they do, He will punish them. They stil say the will. Joshua says, then, they have made their own decision and are their witnesses, and they agree. Joshua says to destroy the idols and they swear they will serve and obey only God. So Joshua makes the covenant/renews the covenant with them. He also leaves them a stone as a witness to what they had said. Joshua then dies, and those who had served God while Joshua was alive continued to do so.

This is an important moment. This moment marks when Israel, God's people, chose to make that covenant, really taking it upon themselves to keep it. They understood by now both the blessings and punishments. At this time, they decided it was their choice and their covenant. This was important, because I feel it sort of marks the start of Israel as a nation, finally in their land and serving God.

Well, that's all I can think to say... so God bless! Shalom!