In Joshua, chapter twenty-four, verse twenty-five, the renewal of the covenant between the Lord and Israel involved a twofold commitment. God committed Himself to take care of His people, and the Israelites committed themselves to serve the Lord God alone. It was a permanent and binding contract between God and Israel.
Under the new covenant established by the death of Christ, believers have also committed to following Christ in repentance, faith, and obedience. He, in return, has committed Himself to be our Lord and Savior and to lead us to our heavenly home with the Father. As with Israel in the Old Testament, God first came to us in mercy and grace and established the terms of the new covenant. Believers like Israel of old must live under the terms of the covenant.
The performance of the service of God’s people must be with a willing mind. Love is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring. The Father seeks only His people to worship Him, as worshipping Him in spirit and 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.
Joshua puts them to their choice, and the Israelites agree with him, being influenced by the example of a man before who had been so great a blessing to them. Joshua brings them to express the purpose of the heart to cleave to the Lord. 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 them.
Those bound for heaven must be willing to swim against the stream. They must not do like others but as the best do. And no one can behave as he ought in any residence who does not deeply consider his religious duties in family relations. The service of God is a deliberate choice, and we shall not depart from him as he blesses our endeavors.