Joshua’s Final Charge – Josh. Chpt. 24
As we discussed last week, chapter 23 shows that Joshua is nearing the end. He has fulfilled his mission; he has completed the task God had given him. He will die shortly, leaving the tribes to carry on. Now, remember that God did not raise up a replacement for Joshua. There would be no centralized leadership to direct Israel. So, what were the people to do?
Their first task was to decide how they would proceed after Joshua’s death. We will see in chapter 24 that Joshua lays out two separate and distinct options. Then he tells them to choose one. Their choice will affect their future. And not only this particular generation, but also subsequent generations as well. We still face the same choice thousands of years later. We will see that choice this morning, in Joshua’s final charge to Israel.