By Joshua's direction the ark had been brought from Shiloh. The occasion was one of great solemnity, and this symbol of God's presence would deepen the impression he wished to make upon the people. After presenting the goodness of God toward Israel, he called upon them, in the name of Jehovah, to choose whom they would serve. The worship of idols was still to some extent secretly practiced, and Joshua endeavored now to bring them to a decision that should banish this sin from Israel. "If it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah," he said, "choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua desired to lead them to serve God, not by compulsion, but willingly. Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship.

På Josuas befaling havde man hentet arken i Silo. Den var symbolet på Guds nærværelse og ville forstærke det indtryk, Josua ønskede at gøre på folket ved denne højtidelige anledning. Efter at have mindet om Guds godhed mod Israel bød han i Herrens navn folket vælge, hvem de ville tjene. I en vis udstrækning forekom der stadig afgudsdyrkelse i det skjulte, og Josua ville nu have folket til at træffe en afgørelse for at komme denne synd til livs blandt israelitterne. "Hvis I ikke synes om at tjene Herren," sagde han, "så vælg i dag, hvem I vil tjene." Josua var besjælet af det ønske at få sit folk til at tjene Gud, men det skulle være frivilligt, ikke tvungent. Åbent frafald var ikke mere anstødeligt i Guds øjne end hykleri og en rent udvortes gudsdyrkelse.