joshua-24:19-20-bsb

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 24:19

Joshua 24:19. Ye cannot He speaks not of an absolute impossibility, (for then both his resolution to serve God himself, and his exhortation to them, had been vain,) but of a moral impossibility, or a very great difficulty, which he alleges not to discourage them from God’s service, but to make them more considerate in obliging themselves, and more resolved in answering their obligations. The meaning is, God’s service is not, as you seem to fancy, a slight and easy thing, but it is a work of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 24:20

Joshua 24:20. He will turn and do you hurt That is, he will alter his course, and the manner of his dealing with you, and will be as severe as ever he was kind and gracious. He will repent of his former kindnesses, and his goodness abused will be turned into fury. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 24:1-33

23:1-24:33 JOSHUA’S FAREWELLNothing is recorded of events that occurred between Joshua’s division of the land and his farewell addresses to the nation many years later. His life was now drawing to a close (see v. 14), and he called Israel’s leaders together to pass on some encouragement and warning (23:1-2). He assured them that God would continue to fight for his people till all the remaining Canaanites were destroyed, provided his people remained true to the covenant. They were to love God,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 24:19

Ye cannot serve. The Ellipsis must be supplied by adding from Joshua 24:14 . "Unless ye put away your idols". See App-6 . holy. See note on Exodus 6:5 . GOD. Hebrew. El. App-4 . sins. App-44 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 24:20

then. Compare Joshua 23:15 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Joshua 24:19

"And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins. If ye forsake Jehovah and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve Jehovah. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you Jehovah to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 24:19

Ver. 19. And Joshua said unto the people, ye cannot serve the Lord, &c.— These words may he understood two ways. 1. They may signify, "you will not serve the Lord; I foresee that ye will not keep your word:" in the same sense as it is said of Jesus Christ, that he could work no miracle at Nazareth, to express that he would not; or, as when he said to the Jews, ye cannot hear my word; i.e. your prejudices and passions hinder you from desiring it. 2. They may signify "the thing is difficult,... read more