The passage from the Book of Joshua, specifically Joshua 24:15, emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord and making a conscious choice to do so. The text calls for a response from the people, reminding them of the faithfulness of God throughout history. The chapter details a covenant renewal ceremony that Joshua conducts with the Israelites at Shechem, a significant location in their history. The ritual serves as a remembrance of God’s faithfulness and a call to action for the people to choose whether to continue worshiping other gods or to serve the Lord.
Joshua’s declaration that he and his household will serve the Lord is seen as a powerful statement of faith in contrast to the vacillation and spiritual equivocation of the Israelites. The text highlights a pattern of God’s people renewing their faith, only to stray and then be revived to serve Him once again. This pattern has been repeated throughout history, with revivals serving to awaken the faithful and renew their commitment to God. Campo points to the many revivals in the United States as examples of this cyclical pattern.
The Israelites, having entered the promised land, had become distracted by foreign gods and the allure of the new and exotic, forsaking the edicts of the Lord. Campo draws parallels between the spiritual challenges faced by the Israelites and the current state of the United States, suggesting that the nation may be in need of a reminder to return to faithfulness. In a time of increasing divisiveness and rancor, Campo believes that a new return to faithfulness may be necessary for the nation to overcome its challenges.
Overall, the passage from the Book of Joshua serves as a reminder of the importance of making a conscious choice to serve the Lord and remain faithful to Him. It calls for a renewal of commitment to God’s teachings and a rejection of idolatry and foreign gods. Campo sees the message of Joshua’s covenantal call as relevant in contemporary society, suggesting that a return to faithfulness could help address issues of divisiveness and discord. Time will tell whether a resurgence of faithfulness will occur, but the message of Joshua’s declaration remains as relevant as ever.
