Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Reading of Scripture

This is God’s Word, Amen!

Pray

II.

Introduction

A. Introduction to Text

Joshua Chapter 24 is similar to Joshua 23, but there are two significant differences.

Joshua once again gathers all the tribes of Israel together, as he did in Chapter 23.

But this time, the text tells us where he gathers them together — at Shechem.

Shechem was a city located in a valley of Samaria with Mount Ebal to its north and Mount Gerizim to its south (KM).

Geographically, it stands as a place of choosing — a visual illustration to the blessings and cursings associated with God’s covenant.

If the people look south to Mount Gerizim, they would recall the blessings of God if they obey the Lord’s commandments.

If the people look north to Mount Ebal, they would recall the cursings of God, if they do not obey the commandments of the Lord, but turn aside from God’s way, to go after other gods that they have not known (Dt 11:26-29).

Historically, Shechem was the place where Jacob had once instructed his household to purge all foreign gods from their midst (Gen 35:2).

Shechem is a place of choosing, that is associated with the forsaking of idols and faithfulness to God.

Therefore Shechem is perfect location for Covenant Renewal.

As I was preparing for Divinity School, one of the long-time and well respected professors gave my incoming class this advice for studying to help us succeed: He suggested that we not study every subject in the same place.

Instead, he suggested we set aside different places to study each various subject: Church History in the Library, Greek in the Study Carrels, Spiritual Formation in the Commons, Biblical Interpretation at the Kitchen Table, for example.

And he suggested we return to those same places whenever we study that specific subject, and by doing so we will better remember everything we learn in that subject through the power of association.

We will better recall everything we have learned in that one subject, because we studied everything in that subject in the same place.

For many, this building, this sanctuary serves as such a place in your spiritual journey.

A place with many memories of mentorships and friendships, perhaps you walked one of these aisles to confess Jesus as Lord, maybe you were baptized in this baptistry or married on this platform.

Maybe you recall the sounds of the choir or the voice of a preacher that helped you to hear God’s Word and walk in His way.

For you, every Sunday, as you enter this space, you associate your life with God once again.

You call to mind your spiritual journey and renew your faith for another week.

This is what is happening for Israel.

They would know when summoned to Shechem that a covenant renewal is about to take place.

Something else sets Chapter 24 apart from Chapter 23.

In Chapter 23 the summoned leaders are presented before Joshua and Joshua speaks about himself.

In Chapter 24, the summoned leaders are presented before God, and when Joshua speaks, he says “Thus says the LORD” (24:1-2).

Look with me at Joshua 24:1 —

Joshua 24:1-2(a) ESV

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel.

And they presented themselves before God.

And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel...”

The speech in Chapter 23 represents for Israel the importance of their God-appointed leader.

The human instrument God used to guide them with strength and courage into God’s promises for them.

The leader who was responsible for leading them in repentance when they sinned.

The leader who had the led them by faith into battle against innumerable armies.

The leader who divided for them an inheritance, and gave them a portion in the Lord.

The leader who instructed them with God’s Word for how they are to live and love God in the land.

Joshua’s testimony and final instructions mattered.

His legacy mattered.

But Chapter 24 represents for Israel that while they answered to their human leader who was appointed by God to lead them — they ultimately must answer to God Himself.

Standing before God, presented before Him, they hear from God “Thus says the LORD.”

Every one of us must remember our spiritual leaders, who spoke to us the word of God.

We are to “consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Heb 13:7).

We are to obey our leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over our souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Heb 13:17).

We are to pray for our leaders (Heb 13:18).

But never forget that we all must also answer to God Himself.

There is coming a day when we all will stand before Him, of whom it is said nothing “is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Heb 4:13).”

I have titled this preaching series through Joshua “Moving In.”

Because God did not only bring his people OUT of Egypt, he also brought them IN to the land He promised to give them.

And He gave them that land.

Look with me at:

Joshua 24:12b-13 ESV

it was not by your sword or by your bow.

I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them.

You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’

Joshua did not do that.

God did that!

Foreign gods did not do that.

The LORD, the Great I AM did that!

Then in verse 14, there is a shift in the text.

Indicatives — statements about what is, turn into Imperatives — statements of what must be.

The voice of Joshua is heard again, with commands for the people.

III.

Exposition

Joshua 24:14(a) ESV

“Now therefore fear the LORD...”

The first command is to fear the LORD.

What does it mean to “fear the LORD”?

It means to respect Him.

To revere Him.

To stand in awe of Him.

But even in this context, the word “fear” never loses its sense of terror.

Fearing God is what it means to live in submission to Him.

Knowing that we are accountable ultimately to Him and Him alone for every thought, word and deed that He sees and knows.

Living in light of the COVID-19 virus helps us understand what it means to fear God.

As we leave our homes, it is always on our minds.

We know the virus is out there, even though we cannot see it.

It affects how we live, and move and breathe!

We put on a mask or take our temperature and wash our hands, to make sure we are living by the guidelines that this virus has imposed.

We cannot see this virus!

But yet we know it is there — and we even fear getting it because of the destruction it might cause to us or someone else.

We live with a fear of COVID-19.

What if we lived with a fear of God in that way?

Knowing that God is invisible but always near?

As we put on a mask, can we think about putting on the armor of God and why we need to do that?

When we read ever-evolving guidelines for living in a pandemic, will we think about reading God’s eternal, unchanging Word to obey it?

When we take our temperature, will we think of our love not only for God but also our neighbor, the summary of the two greatest commandments?

When we fear a cough or fever, will we remember that God is holy, and God is just, and that our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29)?

That he is to be feared?

Fearing God says more about who God is than what we are to do.

God is to be feared because God exists, and God is living, and God is powerful, and God is holy.

He is unique.

He is not like other gods.

To treat the LORD with so little concern has damning consequences.

Based on all God has revealed about Himself and all God has done for His people, Joshua’s first command is to fear the LORD.

His second command is to Serve Him, and then he spends the rest of the chapter explaining what that means.