Jos 24:15 | KingComments | STEP | All given blessings require a response. We also see this in the letters. After the blessings follows the exhortation to walk in accordance with them ( ; ). If no choice is made for the LORD, it does not matter which idol they will serve. Again and again they are asked to make a choice ( ; ; ). For Joshua the choice is clear. He is an old man, but still as militant as ever, here especially for his house. If all the people will not participate in the faithful serving of the LORD, then it is certain for him that he and his house will serve the LORD. It applies to himself and to his children. The salvation is ‘for those who believe and for their house’. This gospel the jailor hears from Paul’s mouth: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” ( ). Serving that follows salvation is also for ‘me and my household’. The ‘household of Stephanas’ is a good example of this ( ). Let us follow the example of Joshua and Stephanas. All blessings are not only for ourselves, but also for our children. Is it our wish that our children will enjoy the blessings we enjoy? Then we will take them to all kinds of meetings, so that they will learn to enjoy the blessings and not leave them at home while we visit those occasions ourselves.

‏ Joshua 24:15

Call to Serve the LORD

All given blessings require a response. We also see this in the letters. After the blessings follows the exhortation to walk in accordance with them (Rom 12:1; Eph 4:1). If no choice is made for the LORD, it does not matter which idol they will serve. Again and again they are asked to make a choice (1Kgs 18:21; Rth 1:16; Mt 6:24). For Joshua the choice is clear. He is an old man, but still as militant as ever, here especially for his house.

If all the people will not participate in the faithful serving of the LORD, then it is certain for him that he and his house will serve the LORD. It applies to himself and to his children. The salvation is ‘for those who believe and for their house’. This gospel the jailor hears from Paul’s mouth: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Serving that follows salvation is also for ‘me and my household’. The ‘household of Stephanas’ is a good example of this (1Cor 16:15). Let us follow the example of Joshua and Stephanas.

All blessings are not only for ourselves, but also for our children. Is it our wish that our children will enjoy the blessings we enjoy? Then we will take them to all kinds of meetings, so that they will learn to enjoy the blessings and not leave them at home while we visit those occasions ourselves.