I love picking blackberries in my backyard. They’re such a blessing. They’re beautiful, they provide nourishment, and I enjoy picking them. The crazy thing about them is that we didn’t have to buy them or plant them — they were here when we moved in. Additionally, we don’t water them or fertilize them — they just grow. This reminds me of what God did for the children of Israel. When He brought them into the promised land, He gave them abundant blessings.

In Joshua 24, Joshua speaks to the Israelites, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,” (vs. 1-2, NASB). He goes on to explain all the things God had done for the people of Israel from the beginning of their history (vs. 2-12). In verse 13, he says, “I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them; you are eating of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” The blessings the children of Israel had received were given to them by God, and they needed to know that.

Why? Why this entire speech on what God had done for Israel? God had done amazing things for them… so what? “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD,” (Joshua 24:14).

Because God had done all these things for them, they needed to fear and serve Him. We see a similar principle in Deuteronomy 6. “Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers… to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD…. You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the whole earth.” (Deuteronomy 6:10-15). Here, we see what God was going to do for the children of Israel, followed by the need for them to fear the LORD, and not forget Him. 

Israel did pretty well with this, at first. They “served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had done for Israel,” (Joshua 24:31).

However, it didn’t last. In Judges 2:8-12, we read, “Then Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of one hundred and ten. And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-heres…. All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, and they forsook the LORD….” The book of Judges details the spiritual roller coaster ride of the children of Israel as they fall away, are subdued, repent, are delivered, and fall away again. The book ends with the words, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). 

Too often, we are like the children of Israel. We see the blessings that God has given us, and we recognize that they come from Him. Then, we dwell on the good things we have, pursue new opportunities, and do not serve the God who gave them to us. Sometimes we have spiritual high points, but then we turn away again and go after worldly things, neglecting our service to God. We are blessed. God has given us good things in abundance. Because of this, we need to serve Him. We won’t always be perfect, but we need to strive to glorify God for the things he has given us and live our lives in service to Him. Whether it be blackberries, friends, family, or a job, God has given us more than we could ever deserve. “Now, therefore, fear the LORD.”