Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve

Joshua 10:12-14, “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.  Is not this written in the book of Jasher?  So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hastened not to go down about a whole day.  And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.”  Did the sun really stand still in the heavens?  In the Book of Mormon, the Book of Helaman, chapter 12, Mormon describes the power of God.  He can move the earth, water, and mountains.  If God says it, it is done.  He also says it is the earth that was moved back to make the day seem longer and the sun stood still.

From Joshua, chapters 7 through 22 -- Israel’s successes: Guided by Joshua, Israel destroys Ai and its inhabitants.  Israel defeats the Amorites and their allies.  Many kings, cities, and nations are destroyed.  The Lord fought for Israel.  Inheritances are given.  The Lord fulfills His promises.  Israel’s failures: Israel is defeated by people of Ai.  Achan and household are destroyed because Achan disobeyed the Lord.  Gibeonites are deceitful to join with Israel.

In chapters 23 and 24 of Joshua, Joshua gives his final address.  He speaks to the children of Israel about being courageous in obeying the laws of God.  He tells them to cleave unto God and to serve Him.  He reminded them of the blessings they had received and the promises the Lord had kept.  But the major theme from his address comes from one of my favorite scriptures found in Joshua 24:15, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  He wanted the Israelites to be responsible for their own conduct.  We each have the agency to choose good or evil.  It is our choice.  But the person who chooses the Lord, also chooses integrity and nobility.  They have proved their wisdom by showing greater insight.