joshua-24:14-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:16-31

A great decision. One of the beautiful things about Scripture is the fine endings of all courses in which God has been leader. This book is no exception. The last view we have of Israel shows them entering into a solemn covenant with God, and one which, speaking roundly, all who made it kept. They respond grandly to Joshua's challenge. "God forbid that we should serve other gods." And even when reminded of the difficulty of serving Him, their purpose remains unshaken. In this great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:17

For the Lord our God. Rather, for Jehovah our God (see note on Joshua 24:2 ). The Israelites, we may observe, were no sceptics, nor ever became such. Their sin was not open rebellion, but the attempt to engraft upon God's service conduct incompatible with it, which led in practice to the same result—a final antagonism to God. But they believed in Jehovah; they had no doubt of the miracles He had worked, nor of the fact that His protecting hand had delivered them from all their perils,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:18

Therefore will we also serve the Lord. There is an ambiguity in our version which does not exist in the Hebrew. There is no "therefore," which only serves to obscure the sense, and which is borrowed from the Vulgate. The LXX ; which has ἀλλὰ καί , gives the true sense. After the enumeration of the great things God Jehovah has done for them, the Israelites break off, and, referring to the declaration of Joshua in verse 15, "but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah," reply,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:19

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord. Calvin thinks that Joshua said this to rouse the sluggish heart of the people to some sense of their duty. But this is quite contrary to the fact, for the heart of the people, as we have seen ( Joshua 22:1-34 ), was not sluggish. As little can we accept the explanation of Michaelis, who paraphrases, "Ye will not be able, from merely human resolutions, to serve God." Joshua was stating nothing but a plain fact, which his own... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:19

The difficulties of God's service. I. THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN THE SERVICE OF GOD . All are freely invited to serve God; all may find ready access to God; there is no need for delay, all may come at once and without waiting to be worthy of Him; after coming through Christ, the yoke is easy and the burden light. Yet there are difficulties. Sin and self and the world must be sacrificed; God cannot be served with a divided heart, hence complete devotion must be attained; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:19-21

A strict master. Great as was Joshua's anxiety that the Israelites should renew their covenant with the Almighty, he would not secure this end by concealing the rigorous nature of the service it involved. Instead of accepting immediately the people's ready response (verse 18) to his appeal, he proceeded to speak of Jehovah in stern, almost chilling, language. True religion is honest, does not gloss over the requirements which will be insisted on, nor seek to entrap men by fair, smooth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:20

Then he will turn. There is no contradiction between this passage and James 1:17 , any more than our expression, the sun is in the east or in the west, conflicts with science. St. James is speaking of God as He is in Himself, sublime in His unchangeableness and bountiful purposes towards mankind. Joshua and the prophets, speaking by way of accommodation to our imperfect modes of expression, speak of Him as He is in relation to us. In reality it is not He but we who change. He has no more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:21-25

The covenant. I. THE TERMS OF THE COVENANT . It was to bind the people to their promise to renounce the old life of sin and idolatry, and to enter upon and remain in the true service of God. Nations are proud of protecting treaties, constitutional pledges, charters of liberty, etc. No nation ever took a more important covenant than this. The chief question for all of us is whether we will live for the world or for God. The gospel brings to us a new covenant. The promises are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 24:15

Choose - Service of God in sincerity and truth can only result from a free and willing allegiance of the heart. This accordingly is what Joshua invites, as Moses had done before him (Deuteronomy 30:15 ff). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 24:14

Joshua 24:14. Put away the gods By this it appears, that although Joshua had doubtless prevented and purged out all public idolatry, yet there were some of them who practised it in their private houses and retirements. Your fathers Terah, and Nahor, and Abraham, as Joshua 24:2, and others of your ancestors. In Egypt See Ezekiel 23:3; Ezekiel 23:8; Ezekiel 23:19; Ezekiel 23:21; Ezekiel 23:27. Under these particulars, no doubt, he comprehends all other false gods which were served by the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:16-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:21-25

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 24:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 24:14

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