Joshua:24

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* Verse 1-14 - We must never think our work for God done , till our life is done . If he lengthen out our days beyond what we expected , like those of Joshua , it is because he has some further service for us to do . He who aims at the same mind which was in Christ Jesus , will glory in bearing the last testimony to his Saviour 's goodness , and in telling to all around , the obligations with which the unmerited goodness of God has bound him . The assembly came together in a solemn religious manner . Joshua spake to them in God 's name , and as from him . His sermon consists of doctrine and application . The doctrinal part is a history of the great things God had done for his people , and for their fathers before them . The application of this history of God 's mercies to them , is an exhortation to fear and serve God , in gratitude for his favour , and that it might be continued . * Verse 15-28 - It is essential that the service of God 's people be performed with a willing mind . For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring . The Father seeks only such to worship him , as worship him in spirit and in truth . The carnal mind of man is enmity against God , therefore , is not capable of such spiritual worship . Hence the necessity of being born again . But numbers rest in mere forms , as tasks imposed upon them . Joshua puts them to their choice ; but not as if it were indifferent whether they served God or not . Choose you whom ye will serve , now the matter is laid plainly before you . He resolves to do this , whatever others did . Those that are bound for heaven , must be willing to swim against the stream . They must not do as the most do , but as the best do . And no one can behave himself as he ought in any station , who does not deeply consider his religious duties in family relations . The Israelites agree with Joshua , being influenced by the example of a man who had been so great a blessing to them ; We also will serve the Lord . See how much good great men do , by their influence , if zealous in religion . Joshua brings them to express full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord . They must come off from all confidence in their own sufficiency , else their purposes would be in vain . The service of God being made their deliberate choice , Joshua binds them to it by a solemn covenant . He set up a monument of it . In this affecting manner Joshua took his last leave of them ; if they perished , their blood would be upon their own heads . Though the house of God , the Lord 's table , and even the walls and trees before which we have uttered our solemn purposes of serving him , would bear witness against us if we deny him , yet we may trust in him , that he will put his fear into our hearts , that we shall not depart from him . God alone can give grace , yet he blesses our endeavours to engage men to his service . * Verse 29-33 - Joseph died in Egypt , but gave commandment concerning his bones , that they should not rest in their grave till Israel had rest in the land of promise . Notice also the death and burial of Joshua , and of Eleazar the chief priest . The most useful men , having served their generation , according to the will of God , one after another , fall asleep and see corruption . But Jesus , having spent and ended his life on earth more effectually than either Joshua or Joseph , rose from the dead , and saw no corruption . And the redeemed of the Lord shall inherit the kingdom he prepared for them from the foundation of the world . They will say in admiration of the grace of Jesus , Unto him that loved us , and washed us from our sins in his own blood , and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father , to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever . Amen . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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