joshua-24:19-nlt

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Joshua 24:1-33

The Eternal Choice Joshua 24:15 Joshua here calls Israel to decide between Jehovah's service and the service of other gods, such as their fathers served in Mesopotamia, or such as the neighbouring Amorites served. They were no longer to give a half-hearted service, but to choose whom they would serve wholly. The call did not imply neutrality, or that they were not bound to serve Jehovah; but it was meant to arouse the indifferent, and those who thought they could combine Jehovah's service with... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 24:1-33

CHAPTER XXXII.JOSHUA’S LAST APPEAL.Joshua 24:1-33.IT was at Shechem that Joshua’s last meeting with the people took place. The Septuagint makes it Shiloh in one verse (Joshua 24:1), but Shechem in another (Joshua 24:25); but there is no sufficient reason for rejecting the common reading. Joshua might feel that a meeting which was not connected with the ordinary business of the sanctuary, but which was more for a personal purpose, a solemn leave-taking on his part from the people, might be held... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 24:1-28

The Second Address CHAPTER 24:1-28 1. The gathering at Shechem (Joshua 24:1 ) 2. Historic retrospect and exhortations (Joshua 24:2-15 ) 3. The answer given by Israel (Joshua 24:16-18 ) 4. Joshua’s answer (Joshua 24:19-20 ) 5. The promise made (Joshua 24:21 ) 6. Joshua’s appeal and the repeated promise (Joshua 24:22-24 ) 7. The covenant made and Joshua’s final word (Joshua 24:25-28 ) In Joshua’s second and last address to the people at Shechem we have first a historic retrospect.... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 24:1-33

JOSHUA'S SUMMARY OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY (vs.1-13) For the second time, as Joshua neared the end of his life, he called Israel together, primarily the elders, heads, judges and officers (v.1), but including "all the people" (v.2). He then faithfully summarized Israel's history, from her fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob until the then present time. There is a striking similarity between this and the first part of Stephen's address in Acts 7:1-60. Abraham had dwelt with his father Terah on the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Joshua 24:1-33

COVENANT RENEWED , JOSHUA ’S END THE GATHERING AT SHILOH (Joshua 23:0 ) “A long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel,” refers to a period elapsing after the distribution of the land. We do not know how long it was, but Joshua is old and his departure is near (Joshua 23:1 ). This is a gathering of the leaders presumably at Shiloh, where the central place of worship was (Joshua 23:2 ). It is an occasion to exhort the people to faithfulness in their obligations to God, the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Joshua 24:1-33

After Rest Joshua 20-24 THE twentieth chapter deals with the Cities of Refuge. A very beautiful expression is that "City of Refuge." Very suggestive, too. But there is a great black shadow in the middle of it: for why should men want refuge? The term is noble in itself, but what is it in its suggestion? Surely it means that there is a pursuing storm. We have heard travellers say that by making haste they will just be in time to escape the impending tempest; so they quicken their steps, and... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Joshua 24:19-20

If (as some read those words) we read this passage according to the original in the plural number: He is the holy Gods, meaning He, Jehovah existing in a threefold character of persons, the Holy Gods; this is a sweet and precious passage in confirmation of the Holy Trinity. Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one Lord. A thing unnecessary to have been remarked, if at the same time it had not been suggested, that in this one eternal essence of the Godhead, there existed a plurality of persons.... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Joshua 24:19

You will not be able to serve the Lord, &c. This was not said by way of discouraging them; but rather to make them more earnest and resolute, by setting before them the greatness of the undertaking, and the courage and constancy necessary to go through with it. (Challoner) --- Josue knew the fickle temper of his subjects. He insinuates, therefore, that if they do not lay that aside, they will not stand to their engagements, (Calmet) and will irritate God the more, if they enter into a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 24:15-28

15-28 It is essential that the service of God's people be performed with a willing mind. For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring. The Father seeks only such to worship him, as worship him in spirit and in truth. The carnal mind of man is enmity against God, therefore, is not capable of such spiritual worship. Hence the necessity of being born again. But numbers rest in mere forms, as tasks imposed upon them. Joshua puts them to their choice; but... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Joshua 24:14-25

The Exaction of the Promise to be Faithful v. 14. Now, therefore, with all these blessings and merciful kindnesses in mind, fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth, without all pretense and feigned devotion, for all hypocrisy and false piety is an abomination in the sight of the Lord; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, in Mesopotamia, and in Egypt, for heathenish, idolatrous superstition was still found among the people, although... read more