Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 14 - Wednesday
The Dangers of Idolatry
Joshua 24:22–24
Joshua’s final words to Israel are striking not because the people resist him, but because he must repeat himself. After calling them to choose whom they will serve, the Israelites respond with confidence—three times they promise that they will serve the Lord alone. Yet Joshua presses further: “Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord God of Israel” (Josh. 24:23, NKJV).
Why repeat the appeal?
Joshua knows Israel’s history—and human nature. Promises are easy. Obedience is harder. The people verbally renounce idolatry, but Joshua understands that idols are not always removed by words alone. Some foreign gods were likely still present in their tents, homes, and habits. Others were lodged deeper—in their affections, fears, and memories of surrounding cultures. Joshua repeats the command because idolatry is persistent, subtle, and deeply rooted.
What is telling in this passage is that, even after Israel’s threefold promise, Scripture gives no report that the idols were actually removed. The absence is loud. It reminds us that spiritual enthusiasm does not always lead to spiritual action. Israel meant what they said, but meaning something and doing something are not the same.
This raises an uncomfortable but honest question for us:
How often have you promised the Lord you would do something—and then didn’t?
Most of us have been there. We promise to pray more, forgive someone, give something up, trust God fully, or step into obedience. And then life intrudes. Fear resurfaces. Comfort wins. Old patterns feel safer than new obedience. Sometimes we underestimate the grip of our idols—control, approval, success, comfort, security. Other times we overestimate our own strength to remove them.
So why didn’t we follow through?
Because promises made in our own strength cannot overcome hearts still divided. This is where the danger of idolatry becomes clear: idols don’t just compete with God—they weaken our resolve to obey Him.
And yet, this failure does not leave us hopeless. It leads us directly to grace.
What does our inability to keep our promises tell us about grace?
First, it tells us that grace is necessary, not optional.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, NKJV).
Second, it reminds us that grace meets us in weakness, not after we’ve proven ourselves faithful.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV).
Finally, it assures us that God does not abandon us when we fail; instead, He continues His work in us.
“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV).
Grace does not excuse idolatry—but it empowers repentance. Grace does not lower God’s standard—but it provides what we lack to meet it. Where Israel struggled to remove idols by resolve alone, we are reminded that lasting change comes when God reshapes our hearts, not just our promises.
Joshua’s warning still stands: serving the Lord is serious business. But so is trusting His grace when we fall short. The danger of idolatry is real—but the power of grace is greater.
Prayer
Lord, You know how easily our hearts are divided. We confess that we have made promises we did not keep and pledged obedience while holding on to hidden idols. Forgive us for trusting our own strength instead of Your grace. Search our hearts and reveal anything that competes with You. Give us the courage to put it away and the grace to walk in faithful obedience. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient when we are weak. We choose again today to serve You alone. Amen.
More: You Were There!- Sabbath School Lesson 13 - The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
Sabbath School Quarterly Online: The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
See Next Quarter's Lesson Here: Christ in Philippians and Colossians
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