JANUARY 1 / JANUARY 8, 2017
A SOLEMN PLEDGE
INTRODUCTION:
1. Joshua had lived a long and productive life of service to the Lord and His people. Having before proven himself as a faithful minister to Moses, he was later anointed and set apart by the laying on of Moses’ own hands to succeed him as leader of the people of God. (Ex. 17:9; 24:13; 33;11; Deut. 34:9) Upon the death of Moses, Joshua was put in charge (Ch. 1:1, 2), and the Lord immediately began to magnify him in the sight of all Israel, so that the people honored Joshua as they had honored Moses. (Ch. 3:7-4:14) Thus, from the time that Joshua first took command, Israel was blessed with a leader who was trustworthy, and who was above reproach, both as captain and as a spiritual overseer and guide.
2. Joshua’s holy character and faithfulness as a leader is even more fully manifested in these two closing chapters of the book of Joshua, which cover the last days of his life on earth. Knowing that his temporal life was quickly drawing to a close, and being acutely aware that his course was almost finished, he did not withdraw to himself or to his home and family, but rather devoted his remaining time to the preparation of the people for after his departure.
3. Joshua called two assemblies back to back, one at Shiloh and the other at Shechem, for the purpose of challenging and charging the people to remain faithful to the Lord, and thus to secure unto themselves God’s continued blessings after his decease.
4. To Joshua final charge (Verses 1-15) the people gave their solemn pledge. (Verses 16ff)
I. THE HEADS OF THE CONGREGATION RESPONDED TO JOSHUA’S CHALLENGE WITH A SOLEMN PLEDGE TO SERVE AND WORSHIP THE LORD. (VERSES 16-18)
A. JOSHUA CHALLENGED THEM TO CHOOSE AND THEY UNEQUIVOCALLY DECLARED THEIR DECIDED CHOICE. (VERSES 15, 16)
1. This was not mere “lip service.” (See Verse 31)
2. The Lord had mightily used Joshua to effectually instruct and influence that generation for good.
3. Being of the former generation, Joshua faithfully committed the truth which he held to the succeeding generation. (II Tim. 1:13, 14; 2:2)
4. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to pass on to them the great doctrines of the faith in their purity, just as they were committed to us.
B. THE HEADS OF THE CONGREGATION GAVE JUST AND SOLID REASONS FOR THEIR DECISION AND PLEDGE. (VERSES 17, 18)
1. They were in full agreement with Joshua’s initial statements regarding their history as a people with which he prefaced his charge to them. (See Vrs. 2-10) Here they repeat his argument in a more condensed version. (Vrs. 17, 18)
a) How could they choose to serve any other than God who chose them and made of them a people for Himself, and by his mighty power, gave them birth as a nation?
b) As we understand that we too were chosen of the Lord, delivered from bondage, and made His own through a new birth, let us also say, “God forbid that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods.”
2. The true believer in Christ knows that “The Lord He is God,” for He alone can deliver a soul from the house of bondage and darkness, and bring him into the kingdom of light.
3. The answer given by their leaders reflects a genuine commitment of true faith.
a) It is founded upon sound doctrine. Decision not based in truth will always lack the force of conviction.
b) It is based on deliverance form sin and its bondage by the power of God. Anything less is meaningless. (Vs. 17)
c) It included, as essential, the forsaking of other gods. (Verses 15, 16)
d) It acknowledged that the enemy was overcome by the power of God. But the enemy must still be overcome through daily warfare. (Verse 18)
II. HAVING HEARD THE GOOD ANSWER GIVEN BY THE ELDERS, JOSHUA THEN PUT IT TO THE TEST. (VERSES 19-24)
A. WHY WOULD JOSHUA, WHO PLEADED WITH THEM TO MAKE THIS FAITHFUL COMMITMENT, NOW SEEM TO DISCOURAGE IT? (VERSES 19, 20)
1. Those who make a commitment such as these made must expect that it will be put to the test. God Himself will see to its being tested. (I Pet. 1:5-9; 4:12, 13)
2. Joshua here played “the devil’s advocate,” knowing that many times faith’s severest trials come by the works of an enemy. He therefore suggests the kinds of things that an adversary might say. “You cannot serve the Lord, for He is holy.”
a) This is the type of accusations that Satan makes against believers before the throne of God. (Example of another Joshua Zech. 3:1, 2)
b) Such doubts come over all believers from time to time. When we are confronted with a deep sense of our sin, and at the same time, awed by the realization of God’s holiness, it can cause an overwhelming feeling of doubt and despair.
c) When Christians face these diabolical attacks, we must look to Calvary where Christ atoned for our sins. We must remember that it is in Christ’s perfect righteousness that we stand. (Zech. 3:4, 5; Isa. 61:10)
3. Perhaps these words also express a jealousy and fear for them that they would be tempted to draw back from their commitment. (Verses 19, 20)
a) He resolved to let them know the worst of it should they fail to put away the strange gods from them, for God will tolerate no rivals. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt. 6:24)
b) He would have them to know that should they forsake the Lord and apostatize, there would be no remedy. “He will not forgive…” (Verse 19) “…then he will turn…and consume you.” (Verse 20)
c) Although the thought of turning from the Lord may seem farfetched, nevertheless let us hear this warning for ourselves. (Heb. 6:4-6)
B. HAVING ENDURED THE TEST AND HEARD JOSHUA’S WARNING, THE ELDERS EMPHATICALLY CONFIRMED THEIR FORMER RESOLUTION. (VERSES 21, 22)
1. To Joshua’s words, “Ye cannot serve the Lord,” here was their response: “Nay; but we will serve the Lord.” (Verse 21)
2. Having heard about the severity of the Lord toward apostates, they answered; “Nay, but we will serve the Lord.”
a) They saw God’s holiness and jealousy as essential attributes of His nature, thus also His wrath toward apostates.
b) All that God is in His holy nature render Him worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. To this they heartily agreed.
3. Having heard their testimony and resolution, and in light of the fact that they fully understood and agreed with the conditions and consequences, Joshua declared them to be witnesses against themselves in this matter. (Verse 22)
4. To this they answered; “We are witnesses.”
C. ASSUMING THAT THEY WERE SINCERE, THEY WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION TO JOSHUA’S NEXT REQUIREMENT. (VERSES 23, 24)
1. Negatively, they must rid themselves of all idols, relics, and images, whether from Egypt, Moab, Canaan, or any other place. The best proof of saving faith is the willingness to put away sin.
2. Positively, they must incline their hearts to serve the Lord. This was their responsibility as individuals. Notice, he said, “…and incline your heart (singular) unto the Lord.”
a) What the sinner could not do before faith came, he now, by grace and a new nature, can do.
b) There shall be no vacuum formed. Former activities will give way to new pursuits.
III. THE COMMITMENT OF THE ELDERS HAVING BEEN TESTED AND CONFIRMED, JOSHUA THEN BOUND THEM TO IT BY A SOLEMN COVENANT. (VERSES 25-28)
A. THE COVENANT IS HERE CALLED A STATUTE AND AN ORDINANCE TO BIND THEM AND THEIR POSTERITY TO GOD EVER AFTER. (VERSE 25)
1. Moses had twice publicly ratified this covenant, once at Sinai, and again in the plains of Moab. (Ex. 24; Deut. 29)
2. Joshua will now have ratified it two times, once at Mount Ebal, and now again at Shechem. (Josh. Ch. 8; and Ch. 24)
3. This covenant was essentially the same as that which they were already bound to by the Law of God.
4. Nothing was any more binding, however there was a renewed awareness of the sacred contract.
B. THE COVENANT WAS MADE OFFICIAL. (VERSES 26, 27)
1. They were themselves witnesses of their oath. (Verse 22)
a) Should they come under judgment for breaking this covenant, their own mouths would offer testimony against them.
b) It is a solemn thought that God has record of every vow or commitment that we have made in our life.
(1) Men sometimes make solemn promises in times of crisis.
(2) Commitments are sometimes made when God’s word makes sobering impressions on the hearts.
(3) Let us not lightly make promises to the Lord, for He does not take them lightly.
2. Joshua put this covenant in writing. (Verse 26)
a) It was laid up in the side of the Ark in that volume which was kept there. (Deut. 31:9, 26)
b) Copies were given to each of the tribes.
3. He erected a monument of witness. (Verse 27)
a) Monuments of witness were made in order to commemorate those things which were not to be forgotten.
b) This stone which probably had some inscription on it would serve to remind them, lest they forget.
c) He said, “This stone…hath heard…” What a rebuke to forgetful oath-takers. “It shall therefore be a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.”
C. WITH THIS, JOSHUA HAD DONE ALL HIS DUTY, AND THEREFORE DISMISSED THE ASSEMBLY. (VERSE 28)
1. He, with a clear conscience, took his leave of them.
2. He had done his part; he had delivered his soul.
3. It was theirs to honor the commitment they had made. If they failed, Joshua’s hands were clear of their blood. They were witnesses against themselves should they fail to keep this covenant.
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