Short answer: In Joshua 24:15 the aging leader Joshua calls Israel to a decisive choice: they cannot serve God halfheartedly alongside idols. "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" (KJV). Then he models the decision: "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." It is a call to wholehearted, public, household commitment to God.
The context: a covenant renewal at Shechem
Joshua 24 is Joshua's farewell. Having led Israel into the Promised Land, he gathers the tribes at Shechem and rehearses God's faithfulness—from Abraham, through the Exodus, to the conquest (24:2–13). The whole speech drives toward one demand: respond to this faithful God by putting away foreign gods and serving Him alone (24:14). Verse 15 is Joshua's challenge and his own answer.
What it means, phrase by phrase
"if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD" — Joshua is not neutral; he is exposing the heart. If serving God feels like a burden, be honest about it and choose.
"choose you this day whom ye will serve" — There is no fence to sit on. The options he names—the gods their ancestors served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites—are real rivals for their loyalty. Faith requires a decision.
"whether the gods... or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell" — Idolatry always presses in from the surrounding culture. The temptation is to blend in.
"but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" — Joshua's decision is personal, firm, and includes his family. He leads spiritually, taking responsibility for his household's direction.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 6:4–7 — Love God wholeheartedly and teach it to your children.
- 1 Kings 18:21 — Elijah: "How long halt ye between two opinions?"
- Matthew 6:24 — "No man can serve two masters."
- Joshua 24:14 — The direct call to put away idols and serve God "in sincerity and in truth."
How to apply it today
Joshua 24:15 is often framed and hung in homes, and rightly so—but its power is in the decision, not the décor. Serving God is not automatic; it is chosen daily against real alternatives (comfort, success, cultural pressure). Notice too that Joshua takes responsibility for his household's faith. Parents and leaders are invited to set a direction, model devotion, and make their commitment visible. The verse asks: have you actually chosen, or are you drifting?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who said "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"? Joshua, Israel's leader after Moses, said it near the end of his life during a covenant-renewal gathering at Shechem. It was both his personal pledge and a challenge to the whole nation.
Does Joshua 24:15 mean a father can decide faith for his family? Joshua models spiritual leadership and takes responsibility for his household's direction, but Scripture also calls each person to genuine, personal faith. The verse emphasizes leading by example, not coercing belief.
What does "choose you this day" imply about faith? It implies that serving God is a deliberate decision, not a passive default. Joshua confronts the people with real rival loyalties and insists they cannot serve God while clinging to idols.
Why did Joshua mention other gods? Because idolatry from surrounding cultures was Israel's constant temptation. By naming the specific rival gods, Joshua made the choice concrete rather than abstract.