Theme: Living in readiness and anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ.

COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Joshua is now an old man and so he gathers the tribes of Israel together at Shechem to renew the covenant. In the first part of the passage, Joshua recounts the origin of the covenant which the Lord initiated with Abraham. The second portion of the passage calls for a response from the people. Idolatry is still a problem because he calls on the people to cast off the foreign gods and serve only the Lord. The people promise to do so. Apparently, he isn't convinced of their sincerity for he tells them that they cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy and jealous God (v. 19). The people reaffirm their commitment to be devoted only to the Lord of Israel.

Old Testament:…