Joshua 24:14-27

Recurrent Thought

To effectively lead a household, one has to demonstrate a stubborn focus in having the Fear of the Lord, avoiding all distractions, and making an unbreakable covenantal relationship to serve Him.

The book of Joshua closes with a powerful scene: an aged leader, Joshua, speaks to Israel after decades of victories, battles, conquests, and challenges. Before his eyes stands a nation blessed by God, yet constantly tempted by distractions, idols, and compromises. Joshua knows that the harvest of God’s promises requires focus. Not casual focus, not emotional focus, but stubborn focus which is made as decision to serve God relentlessly even when surrounded by alternative voices. Joshua gathers the people in Shechem which was a place full covenant history. He recounts God’s faithfulness warns about the dangers of divided loyalty and then delivers the famous declaration: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Focus is an attitude where one applies directed attention on an aspect, process or object that commands meaning, importance, value or benefit to them. It is an attitude that demands that one concentrates efforts of all types to the end that they disregard everything that is not in line with their dreams (Harvest). Stubborn Focus is single-minded attention on the pursuit of goals and unyielding to any demand to change it. Stubborn Focus is not arrogance but an attitude that does not want to be distracted to what is important

He speaks as a

• God’s Representative (Servant of God),
• National Leader (Warrior), and most importantly for our theme today
• He is the head or the Father of a household

Of interest is Joshua’s Identity as a Father or the Head of a household. In scripture we have three forms of Fatherhood: God as a Father, Heads of Household as Fathers and Spiritual Heads

A Father is a title of Respect it means: 1. A Source of seed; the author and beginner Job. 38:28; 2..  A head or leader; 3a Protector or defender and 4. Provider (Job 31:16-17). While a mother implies: 1. Nurturer; a multiplier  

He as a leader and head of a Family stands before multitudes and declares a timeless truth: But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Major Truth

The resultant influence from the leader’s roles is always impacted (dwarfed or multiplied) by their household leadership

1. Stubborn Focus Begins with Reverence to the Lord (14–15)
   1. An effective Kingdom of God leader is one who fears the Lord
   2. Fathers must Serve Him in Sincerity
   3. Fathers Must be willing to Serve Him in Truth (Faithfulness)
   4. Fatherhood or Household Leadership is done by and through Examples
2. Stubborn Focus Requires Removal of Distractions
   1. The demand to Cut off the Competition
   2. Cutting off Spiritual affiliations also Breaks Generational Cycles
   3. The Call to serve the Lord Only is a call to eliminate Double Loyalty
   4. As a leader Inform the Household the Cost of Serving God
   5. As a Leader Regularly Reinforce Your Household’s Testimony
3. Stubborn Focus is Preserved by Decisive Choices (v. 15)
   Stubborn focus in the harvest is anchored in a daily choice to serve God, regardless of surrounding influences.
   1. When You are confronted with truth urgently decide.
   2. Recognize the Battle of Perception
      ​​​​​​​Don’t let the world define the value of serving God.