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.
If you think it's wrong to serve the LORD, then choose today who you will serve. Will you serve the gods your ancestors worshiped before they crossed the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua is challenging the Israelites to make a clear decision about who they will worship, while boldly declaring his own family's commitment to serve God.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Joshua, this verse is part of a farewell address Joshua delivered to the Israelites gathered at Shechem, where he recounted God's faithfulness from the time of their ancestors across the Euphrates River to their recent conquest of Canaan. Joshua was urging the people to reaffirm their covenant with God amidst the temptations of the surrounding pagan cultures, as the nation had settled in the Promised Land and faced the risk of idolatry. This moment highlighted the ongoing challenge of spiritual loyalty in a newly inherited territory.
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