Joshua 24:14-24

3. Covenant stipulations 24:14-24

On 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 option. It was simply an oratorical device (i.e., polarization) to help the Israelites distinguish their choices and to make the right alternative more obvious. As a true leader, Joshua announced his commitment, and in so doing encouraged the people to follow his example.

"So we find throughout the entire book of Joshua an emphasis on choice-choice that makes a tremendous difference in history, for individuals, for groups, for future generations." [Note: Schaeffer, p. 213.]

The people responded by committing themselves to Yahweh (Joshua 24:16-18). They would join Joshua in serving the Lord. Joshua did not want the people to make a superficial decision, however.

"The great need of most Christians is to learn that in themselves they simply cannot be the people God wants them to be." [Note: Jacobsen, p. 114.]

Therefore Joshua reminded them of the difficulties involved in following the Lord (Joshua 24:19-20). They would "not be able to serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:19) in their own strength simply by determining to do so (cf. Exodus 19:8). They had to remember that their God was holy and jealous (i.e., allowing no rival god in His peoples’ affections). He would "not forgive your transgressions or your sins" (Joshua 24:19).

"When does God not spare (forgive)? (1) When transgression and sin is wilfully [sic] committed, and when (2) forgiveness would, as He foresees, lead to no amendment." [Note: J. P. Lange, ed., Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, 2:187.]

The people confirmed their earlier decision (Joshua 24:21), and Joshua reminded them that they were witnesses against themselves in the renewal of this covenant (Joshua 24:22). They would condemn themselves by their own testimony if they forsook the Lord.

Joshua then repeated his command to put away all idols, physical and mental, and to turn their hearts to follow Yahweh exclusively (Joshua 24:23). Again the Israelites committed themselves to follow the Lord faithfully (Joshua 24:24).

As Israel’s history proceeded, the Israelites proved unfaithful to their promise to serve and obey the Lord wholeheartedly, as the following books of the Old Testament document. The Israelites should have learned from their past failure to follow the Lord faithfully. Their fathers had made the same promises when God gave them the Mosaic Law (Exodus 24:3; Exodus 24:7), but they had proved unfaithful at Mt. Sinai and in the wilderness.