What does 'as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD' (Joshua 24:15) mean?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Joshua's declaration that "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" comes as a sort of farewell to the Israelites before his death (Joshua 24:15). After leading them into the Promised Land and witnessing God's faithfulness in giving them victory over their enemies, Joshua gathered the tribes at Shechem. He reminded them of God’s past faithfulness, from the call of Abraham to their deliverance from Egypt and conquest of Canaan. Joshua challenged the people to make a clear choice: serve the LORD or other gods. His declaration—"as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"—set an example of unwavering devotion, urging the Israelites to commit fully to God rather than waver in idolatry or disbelief. Unfortunately, the Israelites had not trusted the Lord, and God barred the generation that He brought out of Egypt from entering the Promised Land because of their disbelief (Numbers 13—14). Only Joshua and Caleb trusted God enough to believe He would give the Israelites victory over Canaan as He had promised. Their children would ultimately conquer Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. At the end of his life, Joshua laid out the choices before the people: serve the Lord and be blessed or serve foreign gods and be cursed. Joshua asserted his choice to serve the Lord, affirming his full confidence that God would keep His promises (Joshua 24:15). Joshua’s trust in the Lord and wholehearted devotion to Him encourages us to also say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Joshua had the kind of trust in God that Proverbs 3:5–6 speaks of: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Despite how powerful the people of the land looked, Caleb and Joshua believed in God’s promise that the Israelites would conquer them to make that land their home (Numbers 13:30).
• Jeremiah 17:5–8 sets up a contrast between those who trust in man and those who trust in God. The former is compared to a “shrub in the desert” while those who trust in God are “like a tree planted by the water” (Jeremiah 17:6, 8). The Israelite generation whom God freed from Egypt would have been blessed with a rich land had they trusted in the Lord. They had already seen God’s power in many miracles (e.g., the plagues in Egypt and parting of the Red Sea), but their faith in the Lord was weak. So instead of entering into the Promised Land, that disbelieving generation wandered in the desert for forty years as they died out. Their children entered the Promised Land.
• Joshua’s own unswerving faith in God contrasted with the majority of those who came out of Egypt. After spying out the land, Joshua had urged the frightened Israelites, “do not fear the people of the land . . . Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). Joshua realized that no people or nation can withstand God’s will.
• Joshua’s deep trust in the Lord is similar to David’s when he was captured by enemies in Gath: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:3–4). That last question expresses the same type of confidence Joshua had in the Lord after spying out the land. It is no wonder that he would commit to serving Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Although Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” in the Old Testament, the New Testament confirms that trusting God is always the right choice (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11). No situation is too complicated, no person too strong, and no circumstance too hopeless for our Lord. Jesus captures this in Matthew 19:26: “with God all things are possible.” Joshua’s expression of confidence in God acknowledged His power.
• Paul and Silas showed similar trust in the Lord. Acts 16:16–40 records Paul and Silas’ imprisonment and release. Rather than fearing their fate when imprisoned, the men “were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). Paul and Silas had the same trust in the Lord that Joshua did. No matter how daunting the situation, they knew the Lord would always prevail.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God’s faithfulness and love are revealed in his interactions with people throughout the Bible, including Joshua. Joshua knew he could trust in God, and he expressed that in Joshua 24:15 by his commitment to follow Him. Likewise, today, all who put their trust in Jesus are forgiven of sin and given new life (John 3:16–18; Ephesians 1:3–14). Practically, this means that we don’t despair when faced with negative circumstances—changes on the political front, loss of a job, etc. Instead, we lean on the Lord and commit to trusting him as Joshua did. We also don’t put our confidence in politicians or human governments. They fail; God never does.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15) is a powerful declaration of commitment that calls us to examine the priorities of our lives and our own homes. It challenges us to intentionally align our actions, decisions, and values with our faith, ensuring that our household becomes a place where God’s presence is honored and His ways are lived out. Serving the Lord is not just an individual commitment but a shared journey that influences everyone in our home, encouraging us to stand firm in our faith and inspire each other to pursue God wholeheartedly. In all circumstances, we can assert as Joshua did "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

UNDERSTAND

• Joshua’s declaration of “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” reflects a firm choice to serve the Lord, highlighting intentional devotion to God.
• Joshua chose to lead his household in faith, illustrating the influence of a leader.
• The statement “As for me and my house…” sets Joshua’s faith apart from others’ unbelief, emphasizing trust in God over fear.

REFLECT

• How are you currently prioritizing serving the Lord in your personal life and in your home?
• How do you respond when faced with the choice between trusting God and following your own desires, worldly influences, or fears?
• What steps can you take to lead your household, or encourage those around you, to be more devoted to serving the Lord?

ENGAGE

• How does Joshua's commitment to serve the Lord with his household challenge our understanding of leadership within families or communities today?
• What are some modern "idols" or distractions that might compete with our devotion to God, and how can we actively choose to serve the Lord instead?
• How can we practically encourage and support each other in making intentional choices to serve the Lord, especially in challenging or uncertain times?