Joshua 24:15

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Joshua 24:15

24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: {g} but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.(g) This teaches us that if all the world would go from God, yet every one of us particularly is bound to cleave to him. 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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Joshua 24:15

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Jos 24:15 There is a point at which all religion becomes voluntary. There is a sense in which natural religion is not voluntary, although there is a strained sense in which a contention may be set up for its voluntariness. The whole value of spiritual religion consists in its expressing the supreme desire of the heart. An appeal is thus made to reason, inasmuch as man is called upon to make a choice. To make a... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Joshua 24:14-15

What a noble resolution Joshua made for himself, and for his household? How worthy of imitation in all families! But could Joshua answer for his servants, or for his family? Certainly he could not compel their consciences: neither did he mean it. Unless led to it by the sweet influences of the Holy Ghost, he could not assure himself that he should serve the Lord; and he well knew that it must be from the same Almighty power his household could do it. But yet, as far as the outward means could... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Joshua 24:15

Choice. Josue was persuaded that no restraint could bind the will; (Haydock) and that, if the Israelites did not freely adhere to the Lord, they would not serve him long, nor would their adoration have any merit. (Calmet) --- Hence he endeavours by all means to draw from them a free and candid acknowledgment of his divinity; and he leads the way, by declaring that all his house will adhere to the true and only God. They answer his fullest expectations, and profess in the most cordial manner,... read more

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