SOAP: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Joshua 24:14-28 (NLT)

Jos 24:14 "So honor the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone.
Jos 24:15 But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
Jos 24:16 The people replied, "We would never forsake the LORD and worship other gods.
Jos 24:17 For the LORD our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us.
Jos 24:18 It was the LORD who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the LORD, for he alone is our God."
Jos 24:19 Then Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and sins.
Jos 24:20 If you forsake the LORD and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you."
Jos 24:21 But the people answered Joshua, saying, "No, we are determined to serve the LORD!"
Jos 24:22 "You are accountable for this decision," Joshua said. "You have chosen to serve the LORD."
"Yes," they replied, "we are accountable."
Jos 24:23 "All right then," Joshua said, "destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Jos 24:24 The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone."
Jos 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD.
Jos 24:26 Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.
Jos 24:27 Joshua said to all the people, "This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God."
Jos 24:28 Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.