Joshua 24:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:15

Or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. There is a reductio ad absurdum here. "Had ye served those gods ye would never have been here, nor would the Amorites have been driven out before you." The reference to the gods of their fathers seems to be intended to suggest the idea of an era long since lost in the past, and thrown into the background by the splendid deliverances and wonders which Jehovah had wrought among them. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 24:15

Choice and decision. After exhorting the people to fear and serve the Lord, Joshua calls to them to consider the alternative of rejecting Him, and to make a decisive choice. It is well to be brought to a practical decision in full view of all the issues which face us. These may be clearly seen. Truth does not shun the light. Christianity can well bear comparison with all other systems of worship and modes of life. I. THE CALL TO CHOOSE . (1) We are free to choose. Joshua... 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 24:15

Joshua 24:15. Seem evil Unjust, unreasonable, or inconvenient. Choose ye Not that he leaves them to their liberty, whether they would serve God or idols; for Joshua had no such power himself, nor could give it to any other; and both he and they were obliged by the law of Moses to give their worship to God only, and to forbear all idolatry in themselves, and severely to punish it in others; but his words are a powerful insinuation, which implies that the worship of God is so highly... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 24:15

Ver. 15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, &c.— Satisfied that the Israelites, as a nation, are very far from falling into atheism, or being averse from serving God; Joshua cannot think them so blind and ungrateful as to desire to serve any other God than Jehovah. This, and nothing more, is his meaning in this place. He speaks like an orator; he invites them to choose, merely because he supposes the choice already made. Just as if he had addressed the Israelites thus: "Put... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 24:1-28

C. Israel’s second renewal of the covenant 24:1-28"Joshua did not merely settle for a series of public admonitions in order to guide Israel after his death. The twenty-fourth chapter describes a formal covenant renewal enacted at the site of Shechem for the purpose of getting a binding commitment on the part of the people of Israel to the written Word of God." [Note: Davis and Whitcomb, pp. 87-88.] The structure of this covenant renewal speech is similar to the typical Hittite suzerainty... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 24:14-24

3. Covenant stipulations 24:14-24On the basis of God’s great acts for them (Joshua 24:14), Joshua appealed to the Israelites to commit themselves to Him anew (cf. Romans 12:1-2). Though Israel was not as guilty of idolatry at this stage in her history as she was later, this sin existed in the nation to some degree (cf. Leviticus 17:7).Joshua’s offer to choose the God or gods they would serve (Joshua 24:15) was not, of course, an encouragement to consider the idols as an equally acceptable... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 24:1-33

Joshua’s Second and Final FarewellThis discourse (Joshua 24:1-15), with Israel’s response (Joshua 24:16-24), and consequent renewal of the Covenant (Joshua 24:25-28), occupies the bulk of the chapter. The book is then brought to a conclusion in three short paragraphs, recording (a) the death and burial of Joshua (Joshua 24:29-31), (b) the burial of Joseph’s bones (Joshua 24:32), and (c) the death of Eleazar (Joshua 24:33).1-15. This last address of Joshua, which is admitted by critics to be of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 24:15

(15) The Amorites.—Here used generically for the inhabitants of Canaan.As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.—For Joshua himself the service of Jehovah on earth was nearly over. He pledges his “house” to the same service. What is known of his family? It is a singular fact that no descendant of the great conqueror, no member of his household, is named in the Bible. In the genealogies of Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 7:0, Joshua’s name is the last in his own line (Joshua 24:27 : “Non his son,... read more

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