Observation: The last line of this verse is famous ... it is, in fact, hanging in a framed picture six feet from where I sit ... "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." However, the first line of this verse is more provocative. It demands a binary decision. If anyone is unwilling to obey the Lord, then they must decide whom or what they DO obey.
There is no such thing as unbelief, or simple rejection of God. Belief is a universal truth of mankind ... everyone believes in something as the central motivating focus of their life. If that central focus isn't God, then it becomes something else. In the time of Joshua, this may have been the rituals and sacrifices and mantras and practices defined by some other belief system and directed toward carved idols. Today, this other focus may be one's self and the creature comforts afforded by money, or it may be honor achieved through expertise in a field of study.
Some will declare they "choose not to believe", but of course unbelief in God is a belief itself, and often comes along with a secular focus in life. Even when that focus is "good" - like a focus to help the homeless - it is still just a belief system that comes with everything from theories about life, to ritual work and practices, to public pronouncements of its virtues.
So Joshua's famous declaration for his family is truthfully a binary choice ... will you believe in Yahweh, or will you believe in something else? Unbelief isn't a reality in the human experience.
Application: I am reminded in this that, one of the great discussions to be had with a "non-believer" is ... "what do you believe?" Everyone believes in something. Today, the answer could very well orbit around social causes, ranging from race issues, to vaccine safety, to political policies. These are all belief systems, and anyone who has these 'causes' as a primary focus in their lives is not serving the Lord.
Yahweh, the Lord God almighty, and Jesus Christ his son, and his Holy Spirit here among us, are the primary focus on my life. I may spend my days working a job, but the Lord is whom I serve. I will have no other motivating focus in my life.
Prayer: Lord, even as I work today, may I always have you as the motivating focus of my life. Me and my house will serve you, oh Lord, and you alone. Amen.
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