This verse gives me chills. Joshua is presenting two irreconcilable choices here, to serve the Lord or not to serve the Lord. This choice has eternal consequences. And not only is the choice paramount, but time is short; you must choose quickly, this day even. To understand why I find this verse chilling, some context might be helpful.

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After Pharaoh of Egypt released the Hebrews from slavery, Moses led them through the wilderness. For forty years he led them, following a path God set before them. God promised the Hebrews that He would settle them in a land of milk and honey. There was one problem, the land of milk and honey was occupied by kingdoms of idol worshipers. Secure behind their fortified city walls, they weren't going to cede the land without a fight. But here the Hebrews were, poised to enter this promised land. At this crucial point, Moses dies, and Joshua assumes command.

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Joshua obeyed God and led the people as God commanded. As God promised, God handed the idol worshiping occupants of the promised land over to the Hebrews. And this was no small matter. These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites – six nations and 31 kings. God gave them all over to the Hebrews (Josh. 12:7-24).

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After the land was apportioned by the Hebrews, Joshua, now an old man of 110, gathered the people and admonished them to serve the Lord. He reminded the people of what God had done for them ever since their nation was founded from Abraham. It's fascinating reading and a great history recap, so read Joshua chapter 24 if you have the chance.

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Now, before you dismiss the applicability of this Old Testament history lesson to your present day life, ask yourself: Is it possible you're a Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite or Jebusite?

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Though it's oft misunderstood, our God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:4). In this case, the term “jealous” is drenched in love. Jealous is translated from the original Greek qannā’, an adjective or title used exclusively of God, focusing on His desire for exclusive relationships. Think of it like a married person who rightfully expects exclusivity and commitment from their spouse. That's what God wants from you. That's what's best for you. And God lovingly presents this in Exodus 20:4. Through the Second Commandment, God is warning you that just as it befell the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, worshiping idols leads to death.

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While you may think idols are only little gold statues sought by Indiana Jones, there are modern day equivalents. Anything you give yourself over to, besides God, becomes your god, i.e. an idol. Colossians 3:5 puts it this way, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

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Like the Hebrews, God promises you an idol-free land of milk and honey. But also like the Hebrews, you're ill-equipped to conquer it on your own. In fact, it's impossible. God must give it over to you. If you find it “undesirable” to accept this gift of grace, what then?

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Joshua 23:16 says if you “serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.” To put it bluntly, you will not dwell in the land of milk and honey.

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Exodus 20:5 states God will punish “the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” In other words, once idol worship is practiced by one generation, it takes three or four generations to recover from it.

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Galatians 6:7 counsels, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

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Psalm 50:22 warns that those who forget God will be torn to pieces with no one to rescue them.

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Proverbs 11:21 clarifies, “Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free” (emphasis added).

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These are just a few forewarnings of God's judgment found in God's Word.

God's judgment is real. God's judgment is just. God's judgment is earned. And that's why today's verse gives me chills. Joshua is admonishing the Hebrews to examine their lives and make a choice: suffer God's judgment or thrive in God's righteousness. That choice applies to you today as much as it applied to the Hebrews then. Choosing wrong will separate you from God.

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And don't delay, time is of the essence. Read Proverbs 11:21 again and focus on the text in italics. If the promise of freedom appeals to you, if the promise of eternity with God in an idol free land of milk and honey appeals to you, the choice is attractively apparent. Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve; life with your Lord or death with your idols.

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The Lord is “patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:9-10).

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5).

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“Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).

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Amen, come Lord Jesus.