Joshua 24
Leaders Prep Section
Watch this video, read these notes, and send the pre-written email (below) to your group 2-3 days before you meet.
Notes
At 110 years old Joshua still commands a nation and speaks with the wisdom of one who has talked with God in flesh. We would have been proud to know him and prouder still to consider him a friend. This is his farewell speech.
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
Joshua is addressing the people, just as Moses did before he died. Shechem, the place Joshua gives this speech, is hugely significant. It’s where God addressed Abraham the very first time (Gen 12:7), giving his original promise his descendants would be his people and he, their God. But in contrast, for the previous 600 years, it was the “fortress temple;” the center of pagan worship for all of Canaan.
Read Joshua 24: 1-13
Notice, that with absolute clarity, God says, “I did this.” God pursued them, rescued them, fought for them, and gave to them.
Prior to reading all these stories, did you know God was as active as he is? Or did you think he was more passive?
The word hornet in (v12) is used elsewhere in the bible (Exodus 23) in conjunction with the word for terror. The point Joshua is making is that God was ahead of his followers, terrorizing their enemies, and at work to control the outcome.
Your best guess: is God controlling anything around your life right now?
Notice what is glaringly absent from this historical summary. There is not one mention of Israel’s failures. The point seems to be centered on what God did. It’s not a grade card on what his followers did.
In this second half of Joshua’s speech, he will stop speaking on God’s behalf and start using his own words, in response to all God has done for them.
Read Read Joshua 24: 14-28
The last part of verse 15 is often quoted. But the beginning of v15 is also interesting, “if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose (another God)….” This implies that all people have a choice, but a choice has to be made.
Do you agree with Joshua’s statement…that a choice has to be made one way or another?
How would you explain this concept to someone who just thinks they can simply ‘opt out’ of this decision?
The word serve used here refers to someone being a slave or a servant, not in the oppressive sense but in the sense that God is a King and we belong to Him.
Would it have been easier to choose God back then, with all these incredible things happening? Or is it easier now?
Read Joshua 24: 29-33
Note to Leader: Say a few things to honor God, Joshua, and the Israelites. The epic story lived out on these pages is nothing short of amazing. And as for Joshua, we’d all probably want to know this guy.