Verse 1

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 24 . 1 , Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem; Joshua 24 . 2 , A brief history of God’s benefits , from Terah; Joshua 24 . 14 , He renews the covenant between them and God; Joshua 24 . 26 , A stone the witness of the covenant; Joshua 24 . 29 , Joshua’s age , death , and burial; Joshua 24 . 32 , Joseph’s bones are buried; Joshua 24 . 33 , Eleazar dies.

Joshua . This must have been a different assembly from that mentioned in the preceding chapter , though probably held not long after the former.

Shechem . As it is immediately added , that "they presented themselves before God ," which is supposed to mean at the tabernacle; some are of opinion that Joshua caused it to be conveyed from Shiloh to Shechem on this occasion , to give the greater solemnity to his last meeting with the people. The Vatican and Alexandrian copies of the Septuagint , however , read חכש , both here and in Joshua 24 . 25 , which many suppose to have been the original reading. Dr. Shuckford supposes that the covenant was made at Shechem , and that the people went to Shiloh to confirm it. But the most probable opinion seems to be that of Dr. Kennicott , that when all the tribes were assembled as Shechem , Joshua called the chiefs to him on that mount , which had before been consecrated by the law , and by the altar which he had erected. Genesis 12 . 6 , Genesis 33 . 18 , Genesis 33 . 19 , Genesis 35 . 4 , Judges 9 . 1-3 , 1 Kings 12 . 1

called . Joshua 23 . 2 , Exodus 18 . 25 , Exodus 18 . 26

presented . 1 Samuel 10 . 19 , Acts 10 . 33

Reciprocal . Genesis 48 . 21 . God Genesis 49 . 24 . the shepherd Exodus 5 . 6 . officers Numbers 13 . 8 . Oshea Deuteronomy 31 . 14 . presented Joshua 8 . 33 . all Israel Joshua 17 . 7 . Shechem 1 Kings 8 . 1 . assembled 1 Chronicles 23 . 2 . he gathered 1 Chronicles 28 . 1 . assembled 2 Chronicles 10 . 1 . Shechem Psalm 60 . 6 . Shechem Psalm 108 . 7 . Shechem

Verse 2

Your fathers . Genesis 11 . 26 , Genesis 11 . 31 , Genesis 12 . 1 , Genesis 31 . 53 , Deuteronomy 26 . 5 , Isaiah 51 . 2 , Ezekiel 16 . 3

served other gods . In the case of Abraham this was probably the case , till he was called to the knowledge of God , when above 70 years old. Joshua 24 . 15 , Genesis 31 . 19 , Genesis 31 . 30 , Genesis 31 . 32 , Genesis 31 . 53 , Genesis 35 . 4

Reciprocal . Genesis 11 . 22 . Nahor Genesis 31 . 21 . passed Genesis 31 . 29 . the God Genesis 35 . 2 . strange Joshua 24 . 14 . put 1 Chronicles 1 . 27 . Abram Nehemiah 9 . 7 . choose Isaiah 29 . 22 . who redeemed Isaiah 41 . 9 . whom Ezekiel 16 . 4 . for Matthew 1 . 2 . Abraham Matthew 20 . 5 . and did Luke 3 . 34 . Thara Acts 7 . 2 . when Romans 4 . 2 . but Romans 4 . 5 . ungodly Galatians 4 . 8 . ye did

Reciprocal . Exodus 6 . 26 . That Aaron Numbers 33 . 1 . under the hand Deuteronomy 29 . 2 . Ye have seen all Joshua 24 . 17 . General

Verse 6

I brought . Exodus 12 . 37 , Exodus 12 . 51 , Micah 6 . 4

Egyptians . Exodus 14 . 1 . Exodus 15 . 27 , Nehemiah 9 . 11 , Psalm 77 . 15-20, Psalm 78 . 13 , Psalm 136 . 13-15 , Isaiah 63 . 12 , Isaiah 63 . 13 , Acts 7 . 36 , Hebrews 11 . 29

Reciprocal . Exodus 14 . 9 . the Egyptians Deuteronomy 29 . 2 . Ye have seen all

Verse 7

And when . Exodus 14 . 10

he put . Exodus 14 . 20

brought . Exodus 14 . 27 , Exodus 14 . 28

your eyes . Exodus 14 . 31 , Deuteronomy 4 . 34 , Deuteronomy 29 . 2

ye dwelt . Joshua 5 . 6 , Numbers 14 . 33 , Numbers 14 . 34 , Nehemiah 9 . 12-21 , Psalm 95 . 9 , Psalm 95 . 10 , Acts 13 . 17 , Acts 13 . 18 , Hebrews 3 . 17

Reciprocal . Exodus 10 . 23 . but all Job 19 . 8 . set Malachi 1 . 5 . your Hebrews 3 . 9 . and

Verse 8

Joshua 13 . 10 , Numbers 21 . 21-35 , Deuteronomy 2 . 32-37 , Deuteronomy 3 . 1-7 , Nehemiah 9 . 22 , Psalm 135 . 10 , Psalm 135 . 11 , Psalm 136 . 17-22

Reciprocal . Exodus 23 . 23 . thee in Exodus 23 . 31 . deliver the Numbers 21 . 24 . Israel 2 Chronicles 33 . 9 . the heathen Psalm 105 . 44 . gave Amos 2 . 9 . I the

Verse 9

Numbers 22 . 5 , Numbers 22 . 6-21 , Deuteronomy 23 . 4 , Deuteronomy 23 . 5 , Judges 11 . 25 , Micah 6 . 5

Reciprocal . Numbers 23 . 13 . and curse me Numbers 24 . 10 . I called Nehemiah 13 . 2 . hired Balaam Revelation 2 . 14 . Balaam

Verse 10

Numbers 22 . 11 , Numbers 22 . 12 , Numbers 22 . 18-20 , Numbers 22 . 35 , Numbers 23 . 3-12 , Numbers 23 . 15-26 , Numbers 24 . 5-10 , Isaiah 54 . 17

Reciprocal . Numbers 24 . 10 . I called Judges 11 . 25 . Balak Nehemiah 13 . 2 . hired Balaam Micah 6 . 5 . Balak

Verse 11

And ye . Joshua 3 . 14-17 , Joshua 4 . 10-12 , Joshua 4 . 23 , Psalm 114 . 3 , Psalm 114 . 5

the men . Joshua 6 . 1-27 , Joshua 10 . 1 . Joshua 11 . 23 , Nehemiah 9 . 24 , Nehemiah 9 . 25 , Psalm 78 . 54 , Psalm 78 . 55 , Psalm 105 . 44 , Acts 7 . 45 , Acts 13 . 19

Reciprocal . Exodus 13 . 5 . shall bring Exodus 23 . 28 . hornets Exodus 33 . 2 . the Canaanite Joshua 9 . 1 . Hittite Joshua 11 . 21 . Joshua destroyed 1 Chronicles 16 . 17 . an everlasting 1 Chronicles 17 . 21 . by driving

Verse 12

I sent . Exodus 23 . 28 , Deuteronomy 7 . 20

not . Psalm 44 . 3-6

Reciprocal . Joshua 11 . 21 . Joshua destroyed 2 Kings 6 . 22 . thy sword 1 Chronicles 17 . 21 . by driving Psalm 44 . 2 . how thou didst afflict Psalm 80 . 9 . preparedst Isaiah 7 . 18 . fly

Verse 13

And I . Joshua 21 . 45

cities . Joshua 11 . 13 , Deuteronomy 6 . 10-12 , Deuteronomy 8 . 7 , Proverbs 13 . 22

Reciprocal . 2 Chronicles 20 . 7 . gavest Psalm 105 . 44 . gave

Verse 14

fear . Deuteronomy 10 . 12 , 1 Samuel 12 . 24 , Job 1 . 1 , Job 28 . 28 , Psalm 111 . 10 , Psalm 130 . 4 , Hosea 3 . 5 , Acts 9 . 31

serve . Joshua 24 . 23 , Genesis 17 . 1 , Genesis 20 . 5 , Genesis 20 . 6 , Deuteronomy 18 . 13 , 2 Kings 20 . 3 , Psalm 119 . 1 , Psalm 119 . 80 , Luke 8 . 15 , John 4 . 23 , John 4 . 24 , 2 Corinthians 1 . 12 , Ephesians 6 . 24 , Philippians 1 . 10

put . From this exhortation of Joshua , we not only learn that the Israelites still retained some relics of idolatry , but to what gods they were attached.

Those whom their fathers worshipped on the other side of the food , or the river Euphrates , i.e. , the gods of the Chaldeans , fire , light , the sun , etc.

Those of the Egyptians , Apis , Anubis , serpents , vegetables , etc.

Those of the Amorites , Moabites , Canaanites , etc. , Baal-peor , Astarte , etc.

How astonishing is it , that after all that God had done for them , and all the miracles they had seen , there should still be found among them both idols and idolaters! Joshua 24 . 2 , Joshua 24 . 23 , Genesis 35 . 2 , Exodus 20 . 3 , Exodus 20 . 4 , Leviticus 17 . 7 , Ezra 9 . 11 , Ezekiel 20 . 18 , Amos 5 . 25 , Amos 5 . 26

in Egypt . Ezekiel 20 . 7 , Ezekiel 20 . 8 , Ezekiel 23 . 3

Reciprocal . Exodus 20 . 20 . his fear Exodus 23 . 25 . And ye Joshua 5 . 9 . I rolled away Joshua 22 . 5 . serve Joshua 24 . 15 . whether the gods 1 Samuel 7 . 3 . put away 1 Samuel 12 . 14 . If ye will 2 Kings 17 . 41 . these nations Jeremiah 4 . 1 . put away Ezekiel 16 . 3 . Thy birth Ezekiel 16 . 26 . with the Matthew 4 . 10 . Thou shalt 1 Corinthians 5 . 8 . but 2 Corinthians 6 . 16 . what 2 Corinthians 8 . 8 . prove Ephesians 6 . 5 . in

Verse 15

choose . Ruth 1 . 15 , Ruth 1 . 16 , 1 Kings 18 . 21 , Ezekiel 20 . 39 , John 6 . 67

whether the gods . Joshua 24 . 14

or the gods . Exodus 23 . 24 , Exodus 23 . 32 , Exodus 23 . 33 , Exodus 34 . 15 , Deuteronomy 13 . 7 , Deuteronomy 29 . 18 , Judges 6 . 10

as for me . Genesis 18 . 19 , Psalm 101 . 2 , Psalm 119 . 106 , Psalm 119 . 111 , Psalm 119 . 112 , John 6 . 68 , Acts 11 . 23

Reciprocal . Genesis 35 . 2 . unto his Exodus 10 . 9 . We will go Exodus 16 . 4 . prove them Exodus 23 . 25 . And ye Leviticus 14 . 42 . General Deuteronomy 1 . 7 . the mount Deuteronomy 30 . 19 . choose life Joshua 5 . 1 . all the kings Joshua 22 . 5 . serve Joshua 24 . 2 . served other gods Ruth 1 . 8 . Go Ruth 2 . 4 . And they 1 Samuel 1 . 21 . General 2 Samuel 6 . 20 . bless 2 Samuel 15 . 8 . I will serve 1 Chronicles 1 . 14 . Amorite 1 Chronicles 16 . 43 . to bless 1 Chronicles 21 . 10 . choose 2 Chronicles 14 . 4 . commanded 2 Chronicles 30 . 8 . serve Ezra 5 . 11 . We are Esther 4 . 16 . I also Psalm 5 . 7 . But Psalm 17 . 15 . As Psalm 73 . 2 . But Psalm 105 . 7 . the Lord Psalm 119 . 8 . I will Psalm 119 . 30 . chosen Psalm 119 . 57 . I have Psalm 119 . 115 . for I will Psalm 119 . 173 . for Isaiah 43 . 9 . that they may Isaiah 56 . 4 . choose Malachi 3 . 18 . between him Matthew 6 . 24 . serve Matthew 12 . 30 . that is Matthew 27 . 17 . Whom Luke 10 . 42 . chosen Luke 16 . 13 . servant Acts 10 . 2 . with Acts 18 . 8 . believed Acts 21 . 5 . with Romans 6 . 16 . to whom Galatians 4 . 8 . ye did Ephesians 6 . 4 . but 1 Timothy 3 . 4 . ruleth Revelation 3 . 15 . thou

Verse 16

1 Samuel 12 . 23 , Romans 3 . 6 , Romans 6 . 2 , Hebrews 10 . 38 , Hebrews 10 . 39

Reciprocal . Joshua 22 . 29 . God forbid 1 Samuel 20 . 2 . God forbid 1 Kings 21 . 3 . The Lord Jeremiah 2 . 20 . and thou saidst

Verse 17

Joshua 24 . 5-14 , Exodus 19 . 4 , Deuteronomy 32 . 11 , Deuteronomy 32 . 12 , Isaiah 46 . 4 , Isaiah 63 . 7-14 , Amos 2 . 9 , Amos 2 . 10

Reciprocal . Genesis 15 . 14 . that Exodus 13 . 3 . out of the Jeremiah 34 . 13 . in the

Verse 18

will we also . Exodus 10 . 2 , Exodus 15 . 2 , Psalm 116 . 16 , Micah 4 . 2 , Zechariah 8 . 23 , Luke 1 . 73-75

Reciprocal . Exodus 20 . 3 . General Ruth 1 . 16 . thy God Psalm 119 . 57 . I have

Verse 19

Ye cannot . Joshua 24 . 23 , Ruth 1 . 15 , Matthew 6 . 24 , Luke 14 . 25-33

holy . Leviticus 10 . 3 , Leviticus 19 . 2 , 1 Samuel 6 . 20 , Psalm 99 . 5 , Psalm 99 . 9 , Isaiah 5 . 16 , Isaiah 6 . 3-5 , Isaiah 30 . 11 , Isaiah 30 . 15 , Habakkuk 1 . 13

a jealous . Exodus 20 . 5 , Exodus 34 . 14 , 1 Corinthians 10 . 20-22

he will not . Exodus 23 . 21 , Exodus 34 . 7 , 1 Samuel 3 . 14 , 2 Chronicles 36 . 16 , Isaiah 27 . 11

Reciprocal . Numbers 25 . 11 . that I Psalm 99 . 3 . for it Isaiah 2 . 9 . therefore Ezekiel 8 . 3 . provoketh Nahum 1 . 2 . General Luke 9 . 58 . Jesus Luke 14 . 28 . counteth 1 Corinthians 10 . 22 . we provoke

Verse 20

he will turn . Joshua 23 . 12-15 , 1 Chronicles 28 . 9 , 2 Chronicles 15 . 2 , Ezra 8 . 22 , Isaiah 1 . 28 , Isaiah 63 . 10 , Isaiah 65 . 11 , Isaiah 65 . 12 , Jeremiah 17 . 13 , Ezekiel 18 . 24 , Acts 7 . 42 , Hebrews 10 . 26 , Hebrews 10 . 27 , Hebrews 10 . 38

Reciprocal . Genesis 35 . 2 . strange 1 Samuel 12 . 14 . If ye will 1 Samuel 12 . 15 . But if ye 1 Samuel 12 . 25 . But if 2 Chronicles 28 . 6 . because Jeremiah 1 . 16 . who have Jeremiah 25 . 6 . General Matthew 6 . 24 . serve

Verse 21

Nay . Exodus 19 . 8 , Exodus 20 . 19 , Exodus 24 . 3 , Exodus 24 . 7 , Deuteronomy 5 . 27 , Deuteronomy 5 . 28 , Deuteronomy 26 . 17 , Isaiah 44 . 5

Reciprocal . Exodus 15 . 25 . a statute Exodus 23 . 25 . And ye Judges 2 . 20 . transgressed 2 Chronicles 23 . 16 . that they should Psalm 119 . 57 . I have

Verse 22

Ye are witnesses . Ye have been sufficiently apprised of the difficulties in your way . of God's holiness , and the nature of his service . your own weakness , inconstancy , and insufficiency . your need of the Divine help , and the hope of assistance held out in the law . and the awful consequences of apostasy , and now ye make your choice. Remember then that ye are witnesses against yourselves; and your own conscience will be witness , judge , and executioner. Deuteronomy 26 . 17 , Job 15 . 6 , Luke 19 . 22

ye have . Psalm 119 . 11 , Psalm 119 . 173 , Luke 10 . 42

Reciprocal . Exodus 24 . 3 . All the words Matthew 23 . 31 . witnesses Luke 11 . 48 . ye bear

Verse 23

put away . Joshua 24 . 14 , Genesis 35 . 2-4 , Exodus 20 . 23 , Judges 10 . 15 , Judges 10 . 16 , 1 Samuel 7 . 3 , 1 Samuel 7 . 4 , Hosea 14 . 2 , Hosea 14 . 3 , Hosea 14 . 8 , 1 Corinthians 10 . 19-21 , 2 Corinthians 6 . 16-18

incline . Proverbs 2 . 2 , Hebrews 12 . 28 , Hebrews 12 . 29

Reciprocal . Joshua 24 . 19 . Ye cannot 1 Kings 18 . 21 . if the Lord Job 31 . 28 . for Psalm 119 . 112 . inclined

Verse 24

Deuteronomy 5 . 28 , Deuteronomy 5 . 29

Reciprocal . Exodus 19 . 5 . if ye Exodus 19 . 8 . General Exodus 23 . 25 . And ye Judges 2 . 17 . which their 1 Kings 18 . 21 . if the Lord 2 Kings 23 . 3 . And all Psalm 119 . 57 . I have 2 Peter 1 . 15 . I will

Verse 25

made . Exodus 15 . 25 , Exodus 24 . 3 , Exodus 24 . 7 , Exodus 24 . 8 , Deuteronomy 5 . 2 , Deuteronomy 5 . 3 , Deuteronomy 29 . 1 , Deuteronomy 29 . 10-15 , 2 Kings 11 . 17 , 2 Chronicles 15 . 12 , 2 Chronicles 15 . 15 , 2 Chronicles 23 . 16 , 2 Chronicles 29 . 10 , 2 Chronicles 34 . 29-32 , Nehemiah 9 . 38 , Nehemiah 10 . 28 , Nehemiah 10 . 29

in Shechem . Joshua 24 . 1 , Joshua 24 . 26

Reciprocal . Genesis 31 . 44 . a witness Genesis 35 . 4 . the oak Deuteronomy 29 . 12 . thou shouldest 2 Kings 11 . 4 . made a covenant 2 Kings 23 . 3 . made a covenant 2 Chronicles 34 . 31 . made a covenant Isaiah 24 . 5 . changed

Verse 26

Joshua . Exodus 24 . 4 , Deuteronomy 31 . 24-26

took . Judges 9 . 6

set it . Joshua 4 . 3-9 , Joshua 4 . 20-24 , Genesis 28 . 18-22

under . Genesis 35 . 4 , Genesis 35 . 8 , Judges 9 . 6

Reciprocal . Joshua 22 . 10 . built Joshua 24 . 25 . in Shechem 1 Samuel 7 . 12 . took a stone Isaiah 19 . 20 . for a

Verse 27

A curious coincidence of circumstances is related by Livy , the Roman historian . he writes that "when three ambassadors were sent from Rome to complain of the perfidious conduct of the Aqui , the General informed them , that they might deliver their message to an oak which shaded his tent." On this one of the ambassadors turning away , said , "This venerable oak , and all the gods , shall know that you have violated the peace; they shall now hear our complaints; and may they also soon be witnesses , when we revenge with our arms the violation of divine and human rights." It is worthy of remark that Joshua merely set up a pillar under an oak . the one , perhaps , to protect the other; while the General directed the ambassadors to address the oak , perhaps with an idolatrous feeling that they were addressing one of the gods , who would aid his cause; while the Roman ambassadors caught the feeling , and really invoked the aid of the oak and the gods. Joshua 22 . 27 , Joshua 22 . 28 , Joshua 22 . 34 , Genesis 31 . 44-52 , Deuteronomy 4 . 26 , Deuteronomy 30 . 19 , Deuteronomy 31 . 19 , Deuteronomy 31 . 21 , Deuteronomy 31 . 26 , 1 Samuel 7 . 12

it hath . Deuteronomy 32 . 1 , Isaiah 1 . 2 , Habakkuk 2 . 11 , Luke 19 . 40

deny . Job 31 . 23 , Proverbs 30 . 9 , Matthew 10 . 33 , 2 Timothy 2 . 12 , 2 Timothy 2 . 13 , Titus 1 . 16 , Revelation 3 . 8

Reciprocal . Genesis 21 . 30 . a witness Genesis 28 . 18 . set it Genesis 31 . 48 . This heap Genesis 49 . 33 . had made Exodus 24 . 4 . twelve pillars Joshua 4 . 3 . twelve stones Joshua 22 . 10 . built Job 31 . 28 . for Isaiah 19 . 20 . for a James 5 . 3 . a witness