Stroll through Scripture for Sunday October 18, 2026

Based on Joshua 24:1-26

The Narrative Lectionary moves us way ahead in the story of Scripture from the confrontation at the Red Sea all the way to Joshua’s final official act.  But the beauty of this is that it is a recounting of the story of Israel, including the confrontation at the Red Sea.  Joshua recounts Israel’s past in order to set them up to decide about how they will proceed.  

Throughout the recounting, Joseph makes it clear that it was never the Israelites who accomplished anything that they did.  It was always God.  In some ways Joshua is presenting the case in the style of leading the witness to a specific conclusion in which there is only one reasonable answer.  

And then Joshua makes the declaration that might be what he is most known for saying – “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  In other words, given the facts presented, Joshua doesn’t see another viable option.  He’s saying you decide what you are going to do, but I’ve already decided on this for me, and this is what I and my house are going to do.  

The people respond by saying they will serve God too.  They have all the right answers and statements.  You can practically feel the enthusiasm of the crowd.  They have the best of intentions.  

Joshua warns the people about not living into their end of the covenant.  He tells them there are consequences.  And they accept those consequences.  Joshua tells them that they will be witnesses against themselves should they break the covenant, and they agree with that too.  

And when Joshua tells them to put away their false idols, they don’t get up and get rid of them or turn them over to Joshua.  Instead, they just add more words saying they are committed.  This serves as a foreshadowing of what Isreal will do.  Time and time again, Israel turns its back on God, following other gods.  And there are consequences, just as Joshua had warned.  

Words and actions are both important.  And when they are misaligned, it is far more important to pay attention to the actions, rather than listen to the words.  The actions display what the true beliefs are.  The words spoken are often the aspirations of what people believe they will do.