Joshua 24:19-29

19 But Joshua answered the people, "Since the LORD is a holy God, you can't possibly serve him. He is a God who does not tolerate rivals. He will not forgive your rebellious acts and sins.

20 If you abandon the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you. He will destroy you, although he has been so good to you."

21 The people answered Joshua, "No! We will [only] serve the LORD!"

22 Joshua said to the people, "You have testified that you have chosen to serve the LORD." They answered, "Yes, we have!"

23 "Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Turn yourselves entirely over to the LORD God of Israel."

24 The people replied to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."

25 That day Joshua made an agreement for the people and set up laws and rules for them at Shechem.

26 Joshua wrote these things in the Book of God's Teachings. Then he took a large stone and set it up under the oak tree at the LORD's holy place.

27 Joshua told all the people, "This stone will stand as a witness for us. It has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It will stand as a witness for you. You cannot deceive your God."

28 Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own property.

29 After these events, the LORD's servant Joshua, son of Nun, died. He was 110 years old.

Joshua 24:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 24

This chapter gives us an account of another summons of the tribes of Israel by Joshua, who obeyed it, and presented themselves before the Lord at Shechem, Jos 24:1; when Joshua in the name of the Lord rehearsed to them the many great and good things the Lord had done for them, from the time of their ancestor Abraham to that day, Jos 24:2-13; and then exhorted them to fear and serve the Lord, and reject idols, Jos 24:14; and put them upon making their choice, whether they would serve the true God, or the gods of the Canaanites; and they choosing the former, he advised them to abide by their choice, Jos 24:15-24; and made a covenant with them to that purpose, and then dismissed them, Jos 24:25-28; and the chapter is concluded with an account of the death and burial of Joshua and Eleazar, and of the interment of the bones of Joseph, Jos 24:29-33.