Joshua 24 The Covenant Renewal at Shechem

Towards the end of his life, Joshua led the people to renew their covenant with God with the same fervor he led them into war to take possession of the land. God's relationship with his people is defined by covenant. But covenants can be forgotten, not by God, but by people. This is why covenant renewal is so important. Covenant renewal requires a reminder, a resolve, and a remembrance.

Joshua reminds Israel of all the benefits they had enjoyed at the hand of God. From the call of Abram to the liberation from Egypt and into the promised land, God had fought for Israel. And Israel better not forget! God has also done many great things in my life that I must never forget. How he brought me to himself through the preaching of the Gospel and how he forgave me, cleansed me, and empowered me to work in his kingdom. How he called me into ministry and gave me the opportunities that I enjoy today to serve him. How he was there to uphold me during my darkest hours. My God is a good God and I better not forget all his benefits. Covenant renewal requires a reminder.

Joshua then proceeds to challenge Israel letting them know what it means to serve the Lord. It means to forsake all other gods and wholeheartedly serve him. Joshua leads Israel with his own resolve: But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! Israel needed to understand the commitment that it was making. It needed to understand the consequences of disobedience to make a meaningful resolve to serve the Lord. After a reminder of all God's benefits there is no better course of action, but to resolve to serve him. My God has been very good to me, why would I forsake him? I resolve to serve him!

Joshua leads the congregation in the establishment of a remembrance or memorial. A stone that heard everything that was spoken before the Lord was erected to be a remembrance of their covenant renewal with God. A remembrance is something visual that brings to mind something that has taken place. For me, my remembrance is my ministry credentials. Every year the District issues a new card that reminds me of my calling and my resolve to serve my God.

Father, I renew my covenant with you today. As I am reminded of the many things you have done for me, I resolve to serve you as I look at my credentials issued by the District. May I never lose my passion to serve you with all my heart every day of my life. Amen.

Joshua 23 Joshua's Charge to Israel's Leaders

Joshua was able to see with his own eyes the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel concerning the land. Israel marched in and conquered the territory marked out for them and gave all their attention to its allotment and occupation. They saw the hand of God at work on their behalf against the nations in the land. Lord God Almighty fought for Israel to make all of this possible. But now that Joshua is of age, he calls the leaders to remind them of the covenant.

One of the most important things that Joshua wants the leaders to understand is that the covenant is conditional. God will continue to fight for Israel before the nations as long as they are faithful to him. Some of the things that Joshua highlights are: the keeping of the Law of Moses and avoiding the adoption of the religions of the surrounding nations. The prohibition against mixing with the nations and intermarrying with them was religious and not racial. Israel was to remain faithful to the covenant to continue to receive its benefits. To achieve this, Israel had to remain ready for battle at any moment.

On the other hand, if Israel disobeyed and was unfaithful to the covenant, it had to face its consequences. The main consequence of their disobedience is that God would no longer drive the nations before Israel. The nations would become a "snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides, and thorns in your eyes until you perish." Basically, the surrounding nations would fight and dominate Israel and even take possession of the land promised. Their unfaithfulness would kindle the anger of the Lord against them until he has destroyed them from off the land.

In the new covenant with Christ, he requires me to do the same. I must be willing to wage battle with the world in which I live. Of course, it is not physical battle, but spiritual. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. I am called to remain faithful to my Lord. I am called to avoid even the appearance of evil. I am called to abstain from the sinful desires that wage battle within my soul.

I am called to separate from the world and never adopt its sinful lifestyle. I am called to be in the world, but not of the world. I am called to never conform to its ways and standards. Am I waging the battle of faith day by day? Or have I given in to the ways of the world? Has materialism, power, greed, and religious syncretism gripped my heart? Is it choking the life of Christ out of me?

Lord, help me be faithful to you every day. Fill me with your Spirit that I may discern your ways and walk in them. Don't let me settle with the ways of the world. Deliver me from evil. Amen.

Joshua 8:30-35 Joshua Renews the Covenant

Covenant renewal was a significant practice among the Israelites. Covenant renewal is a time to read, remember, and reflect upon God's Law. Renewal is required to extend the life of Israel's relationship with God. Renewal is necessary to avoid stagnation, lack of growth, and eventual death.

The place of the renewal on this occasion is significant. Picture the whole area. Shechem is a valley with Mount Ebal on the North and Mount Gerizim on the South. The ark of the covenant was to be held between representatives of the tribes of Israel on both its sides. Half of them facing Mount Ebal, and the other half facing Mount Gerizim. 

The reading of the Law was an essential element in the covenant renewal. In God's presence they read his Law. The Law is to rule faith and life altogether. The Scriptures are my rule for faith and life. I must be committed to read and study it all the days of my life. Covenant renewal requires a commitment to God's Word. 

As the Law is read, the people remember God's great deeds. How God called them out of Egypt and into the promised land. Moreover, the remembrance of the mighty acts of God on behalf his people to make it all possible must be recalled. The strength, smarts, and strategies of the people did not bring them into the land, but the mighty hand of God. I must commit to remember what God has done for me. How he rescued my life from utter darkness. How he has given me abundant life. True covenant renewal requires me to remember where I come from and how God brought me out of it.

Finally, covenant renewal requires reflection. The geography itself helped the Israelites on this. Mount Ebal was stony and barren, representative of the curses for violating the covenant. Mount Gerizim was covered with trees and fruitful, representative of the blessings for keeping the covenant. It is also significant that the valley between the two mountains is a Levitical city of refuge. The place to run when one is in trouble. 

Father, I desire to renew my covenant with you. May your word be a priority in my life. May I remember what you have done for me. May I reflect on the blessings for keeping the covenant and the curses for breaking it. Be my refuge in times of need.