Today's verse comes from the Book of Joshua. An aging leader gathers Israel's tribes for a final covenant renewal. Joshua dares the nation to choose their gods while he stakes his household's allegiance.
Joshua stands before the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He is an old man giving his final speech. He retells how God called Abraham, freed them from Egypt, and drove out their enemies. Then he stops retelling and starts confronting. He gives them three choices: the old gods their fathers worshiped, the gods of the Amorites whose land they now live in, or the Lord who brought them here. He tells the nation to choose for themselves. But Joshua will not wait for their answer to say where his own house stands.
Joshua refuses to force the nation to follow him. He lets them choose their own path. His words make every person own their choice rather than follow the crowd. Centuries later, Elijah would issue the same challenge. He told Israel to stop wavering and choose whom they will serve.
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