June 2001
A Challenge to Serve God Alone
INTO THE WORD
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Joshua challenges the Israelites to “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” either God or idols, as we reach the end of the book of Joshua this month. Having observed his people’s tendency toward idolatry, the aged Joshua rallies the people to renew the covenant instituted with Israel by God at Mount Sinai.
These events follow the eastern tribes’ explanation of their building of a large altar beside the Jordan appearing to rival the one at Shiloh. They show the western tribes that the altar was intended as a witness of their ongoing right as God’s people to worship at the true altar. Because Christians also want assurance of their standing with God, we will pause in our studies to investigate the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints using Dr. R.C. Sproul’s tape series Eternal Security.
For further study
- 2 Peter 1:10
- 2 Corinthians 1:21–22
- John 14:15
- Philippians 3:20