Joshua 24: Constant Grace to Serve, Joshua Awaits Resurrection

Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of Urban and Inner City Mission and Cahurch Planting with the LCMS Office of National Mission, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Joshua 24. Hear Dr. Schave on on the monthly Mission Field: USA podcast on church planting. Find episodes at kfuo.org/missionfieldusa or on your podcast app. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua’s famous words from this final chapter speak not to Joshua’s bravery or resolve, but the faithfulness of Yahweh. The heads of Israel’s houses assemble at Shechem between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerazim, just as Moses instructed. From Abraham to Moses to Joshua, God has faithfully and miraculously blessed Israel. When Israel “sees” God’s grace (23:4), they can do no other. When Joshua speaks on behalf of his house, he simply accepts the fear and service that God has put him into. “Choosing” for ourselves among the foreign gods leads only to disaster. The final event is Joshua’s death, pointing ahead to the resurrection of the greater Joshua who fulfills God’s promise of inheritance for us.