Introduction

Joshua 24 brings the book to its climax with a covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem. Joshua recites Israel's history of God's grace, issues the famous challenge "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve," and leads the nation in recommitting to the LORD. The chapter concludes with Joshua's death and burial, ending an era of faithful leadership while setting the stage for what follows.

The Assembly at Shechem (Verses 1-2a)

[1] Joshua assembles all the tribes at Shechem—the place where Abraham first received God's promise in Canaan (Genesis 12:6-7">Genesis 12:6-7) and where Israel renewed the covenant after Ai (Joshua 8:30-35">Joshua 8:30-35). Elders, leaders, judges, and officials present themselves before God.

[2a] Joshua speaks the words of the LORD—this is divine speech, not merely human recollection.

God Recounts Israel's History (Verses 2b-13)

[2b-4] God recounts His gracious actions, beginning with Abraham: "Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants." God gave Abraham Isaac, and Isaac Jacob and Esau. Esau received the hill country of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.

[5-7] "Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out." God recounts the Red Sea deliverance and the wilderness years.

[8-10] God brought them to the Amorite territory east of the Jordan. Though Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, "I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand."

[11-12] Israel crossed the Jordan and faced Jericho, the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites—"but I gave them into your hands." God sent the hornet ahead of them. "You did not do it with your own sword and bow."

[13] The conclusion: "So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant." Everything Israel has is God's gift.

The Challenge to Choose (Verses 14-15)

[14] Based on all God has done, Joshua calls for response: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD."

[15] Then comes the famous challenge: "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living."

Joshua declares his own commitment: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

The People's Response (Verses 16-24)

[16-18] The people answer: "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes." They affirm: "We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God."

[19-20] Joshua's response is surprisingly challenging: "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you." Joshua is not discouraging them but ensuring they understand the seriousness of their commitment.

[21] The people insist: "No! We will serve the LORD."

[22-24] Joshua says: "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD." They confirm: "We are witnesses." Joshua commands: "Now then, throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel." The people respond: "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."

The Covenant Made (Verses 25-28)

[25-27] That day Joshua makes a covenant with the people at Shechem, establishing decrees and laws. He records these in the Book of the Law of God. He sets up a large stone under the oak near the LORD's sanctuary. Joshua explains: "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God."

[28] Joshua sends the people away, each to their own inheritance.

Deaths and Burials (Verses 29-33)

[29-30] "After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten." He was buried in his inheritance at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim.

[31] A powerful summary: "Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel."

[32] Joseph's bones, brought from Egypt, are buried at Shechem in the plot Jacob had bought—fulfilling Joseph's dying request (Genesis 50:25">Genesis 50:25).

[33] Eleazar son of Aaron also dies and is buried at Gibeah in Ephraim's hill country.

Key Takeaways

• Grace precedes demand: God recites what He has done before asking for commitment.
• Choice is required: Serving God must be a deliberate decision, not default.
• Commitment has cost: Joshua ensures Israel understands God's holiness and jealousy.
• Witnesses hold accountable: Stones, words, and people serve as reminders of commitment.
• Faithful leadership influences: Israel served the LORD throughout Joshua's lifetime.

Reflection Questions

1. Why does God recite Israel's history before calling for commitment?
2. What does Joshua's challenging response ("You are not able to serve the LORD") accomplish?
3. What does it mean to "yield your hearts" to God?
4. How does Joshua's influence extend to "the elders who outlived him"?