Joshua 24:15 Meaning: Choosing God for Your Family (KJV)

What does Joshua 24:15 say in the KJV and NIV?

Joshua 24:15 in the King James Version (KJV) says, 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. Many families keep these words on the wall at home, like our “As for me and my house” wall art.

Joshua 24:15 in the New International Version (NIV) says, 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.”

What is happening in Joshua 24?

The setting for Joshua 24 is found in Joshua 23. In Joshua 23, the Israelites have taken possession of most of Canaan, the Promised Land. Joshua is the successor of Moses, and he had carried Moses' charge to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:7) all the way into the land.

Joshua has led the Israelites into Israel and they settle themselves and are living comfortably. The inheritance of the 12 tribes has been given and most of the occupants of the land have been pushed out. Joshua is an old man and is at the end of his life’s journey. Joshua understands that he doesn’t have much time left in his life on earth. “And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.” Joshua 23:1 “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” Joshua 23:14

Joshua calls together the people in the presence of God to speak for the Lord one last time. God gives the people a quick “history lesson” (Joshua 24:2-13).

The history starts with Abraham. His father, Terah, “served other gods” on the other side of the river (Joshua 24:2), and God called Abraham out of that idolatrous family.

When Abraham obeyed the voice of God and left the false worshippers, God blessed him. God gave him a promise of offspring through Isaac and multiplied his family. It is one of the first stories of trusting God in the Bible.

Abraham’s descendants, Jacob and his sons, later went down into Egypt (Joshua 24:4), where the Israelites became slaves. Even so, God raised up Moses and Aaron and sent the plagues, delivering His people from their cruel taskmasters.

God parted the Red Sea for His people, and the same waters closed over the Egyptian army that chased them (Joshua 24:6-7). Their freedom cost the enemy of God’s people dearly.

God’s people were witnesses of the miraculous that ended their days as servants to the Egyptians for good. The great exodus brought them through the wilderness and defeated all of the many armies that hindered them and stood in their way. Telling the background history, God names several different nations that were conquered in order for the Israelites to enjoy the rest and peace that they currently had.

God reminds the people of the past and is then bringing them to a place of decision for the future. After He recounts all of the victories He had given them, He ends by reminding the people of all His gifts to them. “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.” Joshua 24:13

Who is Joshua talking to in Joshua 24?

In Chapter 24, Joshua is talking to all the tribes of Israel, gathered with their elders, judges, and leaders. “And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.” Joshua 24:1

What choices does Joshua give the Israelites in Joshua 24?

Joshua gave three choices to the Israelites to either: Serve the lord, serve false gods their fathers served or serve false gods that were popular during their time. In summary, they were:

1. Serve the Lord.
2. Serve the false gods that their forefathers had served from the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt.
3. Serve the false gods that were popular in the land that they were now living in.

Joshua finishes speaking on the Lord’s behalf in verse 13, and begins to make his last earthly appeal to this people that he loved so deeply. Joshua knew that it was his last opportunity to influence them and calls them to a place of decision.

God is seeking full commitment from His people. Joshua’s appeal is the heartbeat of what God desires of them. It is the only viable option. “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” Joshua 24:14

Some of the people still kept the gods of their ancestors. Joshua tells them to “put away the strange gods which are among you” (Joshua 24:23), so idols were still in Israel’s tents even after all God had done. God had been patient with them, but He was never pleased with divided worship.

It is important to know that God desires genuine, wholly committed worship and service from His children, the heart of these Bible verses about obedience to God. While He may tolerate disobedience for a season of time, He never accepts it. This includes when we are accustomed to our own ways and are unknowingly partaking in things that grieve God.

God desires our intentional and complete devotion, which is what it means to love the Lord your God. Serving two masters will never be allowed or accepted by Him.

Joshua’s plea to the people was that they would fear the Lord, or in other words, reverence and respect Him. It would be insulting and disrespectful to attempt living in God’s blessings while also serving another master.

How did Israel answer Joshua?

The people did not stay silent. They answered, “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods” (Joshua 24:16), and they retold what God had done for them, from Egypt to the land they now lived in (24:17-18). Joshua’s reply is surprising: “Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God” (24:19). He was not discouraging them. He wanted them to count the cost of a real commitment instead of giving an easy yes, and they answered again, “Nay; but we will serve the LORD” (24:21).

Joshua made it formal. He wrote the covenant in the book of the law and set up a great stone under the oak at Shechem, saying, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us” (24:26-27). The promise would stand in the place where they lived, as a reminder of the day they chose.

The wishes of Joshua were answered after he died. The people served God faithfully for the remainder of that generation. “And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.” Joshua 24:31

How to apply Joshua 24:15 to our lives today?

People haven’t changed much since the beginning. The one true God is still God, and false gods still compete for our hearts.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us that nothing new is under the sun. However, each new generation progresses to more innovations and greater efficiencies. New ideas and easier ways of life are implemented continually over the ages.

Some people will long for the “old paths,” where they remember Christians depending more on the hand of God than depending on personal smarts, individual physical power and emotional strength. Because of trust, faith, and dependence on God, His hand was more visible and acknowledged in their lives.

As life gets easier and more comfortable, the faithfulness and goodness of God can fade from people’s minds. Some never face a need that only God could meet, and so they never get to watch Him meet it.

Even as the world continues to change and develop, every person is still faced with the option of choosing the one true God or serving other gods. Aside from false deities, man has been known to choose power, wealth, popularity, and other things as his god.

Every person that knows the true God of the Bible needs to make an intentional decision as for who he is going to follow and serve. Even those who have at one point in life surrendered their lives to God can find themselves walking backward toward the false gods they previously served.

Choosing Jesus is more than claiming to be a certain religion, hearing a sermon, singing from a song book, and feeling good about heaven. It is choosing to no longer be bound by sin, allowing Him to change the heart and mind and grow the fruit of the Spirit.

The starting point for every person to apply Joshua 24:15 to their lives begins with making an intentional, concentrated choice to choose God over any and every other option. True commitment will not happen by accident or coincidence. Additionally, to truly choose the Lord, it is a daily commitment that a person does not allow to be optional for his life.

Growing in the knowledge of God by study and obedience to His Word is another application of Joshua 24:15 to the Christian’s life. Choosing the Lord over all other options includes trusting His leading and guidance through His Word and the actions we are instructed to take or no longer participate in.

Those who follow the Lord must learn to recognize the practices, thoughts, and ways of the false gods and their teachings. They can be seen in society, worldwide entertainment and in many websites that glorify selfish living and sinful lifestyles.

Social media attempts to glamourize and glorify lifestyles that are unpleasing to God, flaunting self and wealth, enticing others to lust. False ideas of happiness entice hearts to follow after beauty and fame instead of a heart that is right with God.

Choosing to live for Christ entails a home that is infiltrated and influenced by the Spirit of God. It is a home that dwells on the goodness and teachings of God, what “think on these things” means in practice. It is a home of gratitude toward the Lord.

A home that serves the Lord involves a family that worships the true God, and these Bible verses about family unity show what that looks like. Those in the home that are the head of the family lead the others to know God. It is blessing the family with declaring the highest and most worthy purpose in life.

In the face of important decisions, it is wise to remember God’s blessings on a personal level, and also remembering where He has brought us from. When choices are made through a committed heart that desires God’s influence, the outcome is one that is for the betterment of the Christian by the God who wants the best for them. It is difficult to be grateful and aware of God’s great benefits while at the same time walking away from Him.

A choice stands in front of Christians today as well. True peace and joy come from the God who wants to bless us with His goodness with things that money cannot buy. The false gods of this world have enticements and offers for the Christian too, but not of the lasting or important kind. As for each and every house of a Christian, the choices set before him should be easy.

Joshua 24:15 FAQ

Who was Joshua in the Bible?

Joshua, the son of Nun, served as Moses’ assistant through Israel’s years in the wilderness (Exodus 24:13; Numbers 11:28). He was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, and he and Caleb were the only two who trusted that God could give Israel the land (Numbers 14:6-9). After Moses died, God made Joshua Israel’s leader, and he brought the people across the Jordan into the Promised Land. Joshua 24:15 comes from his farewell to the nation. He died soon after, at 110 years old (Joshua 24:29).

What if not everyone in my house believes?

Joshua 24:15 speaks for a whole household, but faith is still a personal choice: Joshua told every listener, “choose you this day.” If your spouse or children do not share your faith, you can still decide what you will do and keep serving the Lord in your home. Peter tells believing wives that a quiet, faithful life can win a husband “without the word” (1 Peter 3:1). Your example and your prayers are part of serving the Lord in your house.

Bible verses related to Joshua 24:15

Judges 2:10

“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10 The promise Israel made at Shechem lasted as long as Joshua and the elders who had seen God’s works. The next generation forgot. A household’s choice to serve the Lord has to be taught and passed on, or it ends with the people who made it.