Overview
The Bible addresses choice across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Joshua, 1 Chronicles and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Nation, Zeal, Religious, Masters and Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Abraham and Isaac.
Key Bible verses about choice
Old Testament
Deuteronomy
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Joshua
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.
1 Chronicles
So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee Choose: Heb. Take to thee
Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man. very great: or, very many
People in the Bible and choice
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
Studying choice for yourself
- Begin with Deuteronomy 30:19, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Joshua, 1 Chronicles and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of David, Abraham and Isaac and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Nation, Zeal, Religious, Masters and Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about choice?
The Bible addresses choice across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Joshua, 1 Chronicles and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Nation, Zeal, Religious, Masters and Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Abraham and Isaac.
How many Bible verses are about choice?
The Bible references choice in 9 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention choice?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
Which people in the Bible are associated with choice?
David, Abraham and Isaac.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on choice.
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