joshua 24 commentary study guide

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." Genesis 28:18; Deuteronomy 27:2). Joshua was one of 12 men that Moses sent in secret to look at the *promised land. Major Prophets For the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt: Significantly, their declaration is based on God's past dealings with them. The people responded by committing themselves to Yahweh ( Joshua 24:16-18). (1) When transgression and sin is wilfully [, [Note: J. P. Lange, ed, Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, 2:187. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point ], "Joshua"s epitaph was not written on a marble gravestone. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. Poetical Books JOSHUA’S FAREWELL ADDRESS AT SHECHEM, Joshua 24:1-24. Joshua evidently died about1366 B.C. [Note: Davis and Whitcomb, pp87-88.]. (Jos 24:15) Choose God or choose your alternative. "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." Wisdom Literature (Jos 24:1) Joshua speaks to the nation again, through its leaders. brought you into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt on the other side of the Jordan, and they fought with you. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Yet, there is nothing predictive in this opening passage. [Note: Hess, p300. c. Notice what is missing from God's review of Israel's history: Their failures are strangely forgotten. This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. 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. If serving God sometimes seems hard, think of the alternatives. He is a type of Christ in his name and in his work. General Epistles We will all serve someone - either the devil (intentionally or not), or the LORD. Prophecy is not necessarily a prediction of the future. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. God routed Israel"s enemies for her by using various hornet-like terrors ( Joshua 24:12; cf. 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). Joshua /. Put away the strange gods which are among you — Meaning those idols which they had either brought out of Egypt, or had taken in Canaan, and which some of them kept, contrary to God’s command, whether for the preciousness of the matter, or rather from some secret inclination to superstition and idolatry. Entering the Promised Land (Joshua 3:1‐5:12) 4. Thus the times of Joshua came to a close. a. The Tribes Renew the Covenant. You have the words of eternal life. a. Pauline Epistles Joshua set the stone up under the oak that was the same tree as, or one that represented, the oak under which Abraham had built his altar and worshipped Yahweh. Again the Israelites committed themselves to follow the Lord faithfully ( Joshua 24:24). Here is the theological climax to the theme introduced in Joshua 22:5 and repeated like a chorus in Joshua 23:7; Joshua 23:16; Joshua 24:14-16; Joshua 24:18-22; Joshua 24:24. The real success of Joshua, however, probably lies in the fact that he was a Spirit-filled man ( Numbers 27:18; cf. (Jos 24:14) The challenge: serve God exclusively. Romans 12:1-2). When he knew that death was drawing near, he summoned the leaders of Israel to hear his last words. Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. Deuteronomy 33 is Moses' farewell speech, and Deuteronomy 34 tells of Moses' death and burial. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. Ironically, the minister of Moses brought the people to obey Yahweh, while Moses saw only the perpetual murmuring and rebellion of the people (cf. Commentary on Joshua by John Calvin. Joshua’s name means “Jehovah saves.” The same word in the New Testament is Jesus. God also frustrated Moab"s hostility by turning Balaam"s oracles into blessings. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point inheritance. i. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. For the solemn renewing of their covenant with God; which in this place was first made between God and Abraham, Gen… Rededication to God can be a wonderful and powerful thing. [Note: Campbell, No Time ..., p142.]. The stone had not literally heard all that had taken place that day ( Joshua 24:27), but it would remain in the same place from then on as a silent witness to the proceedings. Deuteronomy 34:9)." They would condemn themselves by their own testimony if they forsook the Lord. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, The Whole Bible Even Moses had to die outside the Land of Promise." a. He made this his home and built an altar to Yahweh there ( Genesis 33:18-20), and later God moved him to Bethel ( Genesis 35:1-4) where he built another altar. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible The Gospels Joshua died shortly after the renewal of the covenant just described ( Joshua 24:1-28). And the men of Jericho fought against you; also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 2. We should not fall short in our own need to re-establish our own covenant with the LORD. The Old Testament God greatly used Joshua as He had used Joseph in delivering His people. No, but we will serve the LORD! We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God: This is essentially the same attitude reflected by Jesus' disciples in John 6:66-69: Lord, to whom shall we go? Here, He seems to have "forgotten" Israel's past sin. Leader’s Guide The Book of Joshua This study gives an overview of the book of Joshua. Serve the LORD! God likes to tie up lose ends. Share this page using one of these tools: Email / username or password was incorrect! Poetical Books Verse 1. Pentateuch These final verses record the end of Joshua"s life and ministry that terminated an important and successful era in Israel"s history. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point This was the response Joshua wanted: a commitment, but made with full understanding of the consequences. Minor Prophets Joseph had counted on God"s faithfulness in bringing the Israelites into the land and had asked that when that took place his descendants would lay his bones to rest there. And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring. Major Prophets Joshua 24:13 is a fulfillment of the above promise. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point This makes the chapter one of the most important chapters in the OT for biblical theologians." Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. Here we suddenly find highly loaded theological language, defining God and the God-man relationship. They buried him in a hill belonging to Phinehas his son, which was given to him in the mountains of Ephraim. Johannine Writings 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. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. You are witnesses … this stone shall be a witness: Joshua required that the covenant be confirmed by the testimony of two witnesses, the people and the stone. Eleazar"s death and burial were also significant because, as Israel"s high priest and co-leader with Joshua during this period of history, Eleazar was a very important person. The structure of this covenant renewal speech is similar to the typical Hittite suzerainty treaty. All the tribes — By their representatives. 24. [Note: Butler, p283.]. 24 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. b. We really are not left the option of not serving anyone. (Jos 24:19-21) Joshua cautions against a lightly made commitment. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy The emphasis is clearly on God"s great acts for Israel. Here we suddenly find highly loaded theological language, defining God and the God-man relationship. The Israelites renewed this covenant from time to time after God first gave it (cf. How could they not serve such a great God? In this section of verses ( Joshua 24:2-13), God said17 times "I" did such and such for you. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Our Library /. Glory to Yah on High. 1. We've enjoyed using other Wiersbe study guides before. “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods” were the people’s words of commitment. The people’s response in verses 17-18 demonstrates strength and unity. 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. This is the summary of Joshua chapter 24, and this has been the summaries of the book of Joshua. Therefore Joshua reminded them of the difficulties involved in following the Lord ( Joshua 24:19-20). Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. First, in the case of Joshua 24:15, no less than any other famous passage of Scripture, the popularity of the verse can be counterproductive to its full significance. -------------------- He was110 years old ( Joshua 24:29), the same age as Joseph when he died ( Genesis 50:26). a. [Note: Jacobsen, p114.]. There was one God in his life, and that God was the LORD. Then I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River: Before God challenges Israel, He reminds them of His faithfulness. Then I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. Each tribe was to proceed now to exterminate the Canaanites in its area trusting in Yahweh and obeying His covenant. Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel. You'll discover why so many Christians fail to claim God's promises, forfeiting His peace available to every believer. The emphasis is clearly on God"s great acts for Israel. Then I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the … [Note: Merrill, Kingdom of . 24:3, 4 (twice), 5 (four), 6, 7, 8 (three), 10 (twice); 1:1,12,13)! The "ordinance" (right) was the record of the blessings Israel would enjoy as the fruits of her obedience. 3. "If you were to put Plymouth Rock and Yorktown and Lexington and Independence Hall together, you would not have what Shechem is to Israel." Joshua 24thus marks the high point of Israel"s history, the full realization of her identity as people of God." ", [Note: Clarence Macartney, The Greatest Texts of the Bible, pp74-75. So the people answered and said: "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he continued to bless you. a. Learn joshua 24 guide with free interactive flashcards. "The great need of most Christians is to learn that in themselves they simply cannot be the people God wants them to be." Biblical Commentary Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 THE CONTEXT: The last chapters (31-34) of Deuteronomy report the beginnings of the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua. This sequel to the Joshua 1-9 study portrays God's amazing faithfulness in keeping His promises. [Note: Clarence Macartney, The Greatest Texts of the Bible, pp74-75.]. 1. The New Testament Then Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. [Note: J. P. Lange, ed, Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, 2:187.]. His relationship with God was not based on any man, but on the LORD alone, and he would serve God no matter what anyone else did. Yet, for us, this is the difficult part - staying faithful to God after we have received much blessing from Him; the ease that can come with blessing can be a subtle enemy of serving God in sincerity and truth. Bible Commentaries /. 24:17. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. D. The death and burial of Joshua and Eleazar24:29-33. Wisdom Literature GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point ", Joshua 24completes the book by giving the theological definition of the people of God. Pentateuch range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed Studying Joshua along with this study guide was very enlightening. Major Prophets It can simply be a uniquely direct and spontaneous word from God. Joshua 24:1. olive groves which you did not plant.'". Rahab Hides the Spies (Joshua 2) 3. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a All Israel— Namely, their representatives. Luke-Acts God"s third great act for Israel was the Israelites" victory over the Amorites east of the Jordan ( Joshua 24:8-10). Verse 24. Pauline Epistles Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. Serve the LORD! 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). The event may have taken place earlier when Joseph"s descendants received Shechem as their inheritance. Minor Prophets Now all three were at rest within the borders of the Promised Land. And Eleazar the son of Aaron died: Eleazar's death meant that another link with the wilderness generation had passed. -------------------- He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. Israel"s deliverance from Egypt and her preservation in the wilderness were also highlights of God"s faithfulness during this period of Israel"s history. General Epistles Also I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to what I did among them. And Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. The "River" ( Joshua 24:2) is the Euphrates. As Keil remarks, this information concerning the feelings of the Canaanites was the one great thing they had been sent out to discover. The Old Testament God"s call of Abraham was pure grace; there was nothing in Abraham that resulted in God choosing him for special blessing. Shechem was a strategic location for this important ceremony. The Gospels At Shechem the same generation of Israelites that Joshua now addressed had pledged itself to the Mosaic Covenant shortly after it had entered the land ( Joshua 8:30-35). Shechem — To the city of Shechem, a place convenient for the purpose, not only because it was a Levitical city, and a city of refuge, and a place near Joshua's city, but especially for the two main ends for which he summoned them thither. A brief history lesson is given, which declares this. (Jos 24:16-18) The nation gives a great response; they also will serve the LORD. Joshua /. Sinai and in the wilderness. Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20). It is often translated "forever" or "eternal," but this context shows its fluidity (semantic field). Joshua’s “sermon” became a dialogue as the people responded verbally to him. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Cookie Notice: (Jos 24:33) The death and burial of Eleazar. 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