“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
My Notes
What Does Joshua 24:15 Mean?
Joshua issues the most famous call to commitment in the Old Testament. The people must choose whom they will serve — the gods of their ancestors, the gods of the surrounding nations, or the LORD. There is no neutral option.
"Choose you this day" demands a present decision. Not someday, not eventually. Today. Joshua will not accept indefinite postponement.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" is Joshua's declaration of personal conviction. He is not waiting for the crowd. He is not taking a poll. He has already decided, and he invites others to follow.
The context is a covenant renewal ceremony at the end of Joshua's life. He has led Israel into the Promised Land. Now, before he dies, he forces a public reckoning: choose. And choose now. The delay itself is a choice — a choice for drift.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'gods' compete for your worship — what do you give your time, attention, and devotion to?
- 2.What does it mean to choose actively rather than drifting into a decision by default?
- 3.How does Joshua's personal declaration — 'as for me and my house' — inspire your own family or household commitment?
- 4.What decision have you been postponing that Joshua's challenge presses you to make today?
Devotional
Choose you this day. Joshua does not ask them to think about it, pray about it, or keep their options open. He demands a decision. Today.
The options are clear: the gods of your ancestors, the gods of the culture around you, or the LORD. And the genius of Joshua's challenge is that he acknowledges the competition is real. There are other options. They are on the table. And you must choose.
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua does not wait for consensus. He declares where he stands. He does not need the crowd to agree before he commits.
What are you choosing today? Not in theory. In practice — with your time, your attention, your priorities, your allegiance. You may not bow to literal idols, but the gods of the surrounding culture are as present as ever: comfort, success, approval, security. They are always inviting your worship.
Choose you this day. Not tomorrow. Not when conditions improve. Today. What are you serving — and is it by choice or by default?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord,.... Irksome and troublesome, a burden, a weariness, and not a pleasure and…
Choose - Service of God in sincerity and truth can only result from a free and willing allegiance of the heart. This…
Choose you this day whom ye will serve - Joshua well knew that all service that was not free and voluntary could be only…
Never was any treaty carried on with better management, nor brought to a better issue, than this of Joshua with the…
choose you this day Like Elijah afterwards on Carmel (1Ki 18:21), the Hebrew leader challenges the people with the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture