Joshua 24 15

Joshua 24:15 kjv

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15 nkjv

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15 niv

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15 esv

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15 nlt

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24 verses

Joshua 24 15 Meaning

Joshua 24:15 is a pivotal declaration by Joshua, presented as a final challenge to the tribes of Israel assembled at Shechem. It demands a clear and resolute decision from them concerning whom they will serve—either the idols of their ancestors and the pagan deities of the land they now inhabit, or Yahweh, the God who delivered them and faithfully led them. Joshua unequivocally states his own unwavering commitment, affirming that he and his household will serve the LORD, setting a profound example of faithful dedication amidst prevailing temptations.

Joshua 24 15 Context

Joshua 24 records Joshua's final address to the entire nation of Israel, gathered at Shechem, before his death. This chapter serves as a covenant renewal ceremony, reminiscent of similar gatherings in Deuteronomy. Joshua recounts the entirety of God's gracious actions from the calling of Abraham out of idolatry (Gen 12) through their exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, and their current peaceful dwelling in the promised land. By reminding them of God's past faithfulness, Joshua establishes the premise for their future obedience. He then confronts the people with a clear choice, essentially asking them to reaffirm their covenant vows to the God who delivered them, knowing the strong temptations to syncretism with Canaanite gods were ever-present in their newly settled land. The verse emphasizes that there is no middle ground or neutrality in serving God.

Historically, this event took place after the successful military conquest of Canaan and the tribal allotment of the land, as the Israelites transitioned from a nomadic/conquering people to an established agricultural society. This era posed significant risks of adopting the indigenous pagan practices, especially the agricultural cults like Baal worship, to ensure fertility and prosperity. The choice was particularly urgent because the generations who had witnessed the miraculous exodus were passing, and new generations unfamiliar with these divine acts could easily drift towards local deities and ancestral paganism. Shechem itself was a significant site, having been the place of Abraham's first altar to Yahweh in Canaan (Gen 12:6-7) and Jacob's purification of his household from foreign gods (Gen 35:2-4), thus underscoring the spiritual heritage and repeated need for commitment.

Joshua 24 15 Word Analysis

• And if it seem evil unto you: Hebrew: וְאִם רַע בְּעֵינֵיכֶם (ve'im ra b'eineikhem) – literally, "and if evil in your eyes." This phrase highlights the subjective perspective of the Israelites. It acknowledges that serving Yahweh might be perceived as difficult, burdensome, or inconvenient, especially compared to the apparent "easiness" or cultural acceptance of syncretism. This isn't a statement about God being evil, but rather the people potentially finding the demands of exclusive covenant fidelity undesirable or hard. It forces them to consider their internal motivations and true desires.
• to serve: Hebrew: לַעֲבֹד (la'avod) – from the root עָבַד ('abad). This word is rich in meaning, encompassing "to work," "to labor," "to cultivate," "to perform duty," "to worship," and "to be a servant." It implies not merely a passive belief but an active, committed devotion, involving allegiance, obedience, and service in all aspects of life. It’s about being wholly owned by the one being served.
• the LORD: Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH) – The covenant name of God, unique to Israel. It distinguishes the Creator God, who revealed Himself as faithful, powerful, and delivering, from all other pagan deities. This emphasizes the exclusive nature of Israel's relationship with Him.
• choose you: Hebrew: בַּחֲרוּ לָכֶם (bakharu lakhem) – An imperative verb in the plural, meaning "choose for yourselves." This commands an active, deliberate decision from each individual and the collective nation. It underscores the concept of free will and personal responsibility within the covenant. God calls for willing hearts, not forced compliance.
• this day: Hebrew: הַיּוֹם (hayyom) – Signifies immediacy, urgency, and the critical nature of the decision. There is no time for postponement or indecision. It is a moment of divine reckoning that demands an immediate, resolute response. This echoes the "this day" calls for decision throughout Deuteronomy.
• whom ye will serve: Joshua presses them to name their master, laying bare the true object of their worship and allegiance. It frames the choice not just as what but whom.
• whether the gods which your fathers served: Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר עָבְדוּ אֲבֹותֵיכֶם (elohim asher avdu avoteikhem) – This refers to the Mesopotamian deities worshiped by Abraham's ancestors before his call in Ur of the Chaldeans (e.g., the moon-god Nanna/Sin, worshipped in Ur). This serves as a polemic against inherited or ancestral polytheism, reminding them of God’s redemptive act in calling Abraham out of that heritage.
• that were on the other side of the flood: Hebrew: בְּעֵבֶר הַנָּהָר (be'ever ha'nahar) – "beyond the River." This refers to the Euphrates River, explicitly pointing to Mesopotamia, the cradle of early polytheistic civilizations. It anchors the ancestral idolatry in a specific geographic and historical context.
• or the gods of the Amorites: Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱמֹרִי (elohei ha'emori) – The Amorites represent the various Canaanite peoples who inhabited the land. Their gods were primarily associated with nature and fertility (e.g., Baal, Asherah), often involving depraved cultic practices. This points to the immediate, pervasive temptation within their new cultural surroundings—the danger of syncretism and assimilation.
• in whose land ye dwell: This emphasizes the present, direct pressure and temptation they face from the local inhabitants and their religious customs. Their very settlement put them at risk of adopting the gods of the land for pragmatic reasons, such as agricultural success.
• but as for me and my house: Hebrew: וַאֲנִי וּבֵיתִי (va'ani u'veiti) – A powerful, personal, and declarative statement. Joshua stands as an exemplary leader, publicly committing himself and his entire household. This highlights the crucial role of individual and familial spiritual leadership in influencing the wider community. A leader's public stance often inspires or shames others.
• we will serve the LORD: Hebrew: נַעֲבֹד אֶת־יְהוָה (na'avod et-YHweh) – Joshua's unwavering commitment. This declaration signifies active, faithful allegiance and continuous service. It is a resolve born of deep personal conviction and a call to intentional spiritual discipline within his family, regardless of the nation's choice.

Joshua 24 15 Bonus section

• The assembly at Shechem marks a symbolic culmination of Israel's journey under Joshua's leadership, linking back to foundational covenant events with Abraham and Jacob in the same locale, thereby reinforcing spiritual continuity and renewal.
• The word "serve" (abad) emphasizes the laborious aspect of obedience and devotion, indicating that serving the LORD is not always easy but requires diligence and effort, contrary to the ease and superficiality often associated with pagan worship or nominal faith.
• Joshua's challenge exposes the human tendency toward compromise and the allure of following popular cultural norms rather than upholding divine truth, a struggle that resurfaced repeatedly throughout Israel's history (e.g., during the periods of the Judges and Kings).
• The inclusion of ancestral gods alongside contemporary Canaanite gods implies a multifaceted spiritual battle for the Israelites—not just against external pressures but also against inherited patterns of spiritual drift and historical idols.
• This verse can be seen as a template for prophetic challenges to covenant infidelity throughout the Old Testament, where prophets like Elijah and Jeremiah called the nation back to exclusive loyalty to Yahweh.

Joshua 24 15 Commentary

Joshua 24:15 encapsulates the essence of covenant theology: God calls for an exclusive and total commitment from His people. After recounting God's faithful acts, Joshua leaves no room for ambiguity or fence-sitting. His challenge is sharp because he understands the pervasive allure of syncretism and the danger of forgetting God's uniqueness. The choice isn't just between one god and another, but between genuine life under God's blessing and the spiritual barrenness of idolatry.

Joshua’s declaration, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," serves as a profound model for spiritual leadership. He doesn't merely exhort; he exemplifies. It underscores that personal conviction and a decision to live out one's faith authentically within the family unit are foundational to the spiritual health of a community or nation. This commitment requires active, daily living in obedience to God’s will, rejecting the false comforts and compromises offered by the surrounding culture, and leading one's household intentionally in spiritual discipline. The message is timeless: every generation must consciously and decisively choose to whom it will give its allegiance. There can be no true service to God alongside devotion to any other master. This challenge is practical for us today: what "gods"—whether success, possessions, entertainment, or comfort—do we allow to compete for the ultimate devotion of our "households" and our hearts? Joshua's call remains: choose today whom you will serve.