Joshua 24

Chapter Summary

Joshua 24 begins with Joshua gathering all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, where he reminds them of God's faithfulness to their ancestors and to them, citing examples such as the parting of the Red Sea and the conquest of Canaan. He then exhorts them to fear and serve the Lord, putting away their foreign gods. The people agree to serve the Lord, and Joshua makes a covenant with them, writing down the terms in the Book of the Law of God. The chapter concludes with Joshua's death and burial, as well as the death of Eleazar, the son of Aaron. Key verses include Joshua 24:14, where Joshua commands the people to fear and serve the Lord, and Joshua 24:23, where the people agree to put away their foreign gods and serve the Lord alone.

Context for the Chapter

Joshua 24 is the final chapter of the book of Joshua, which tells the story of the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. The chapter is set in the city of Shechem, which is significant because it is the location where Abraham first built an altar to the Lord (Genesis 12:6-7). The chapter is also significant because it marks the end of an era, as Joshua is about to die and a new generation of leaders will take over. The themes of covenant renewal and faithfulness are central to the book of Joshua and are emphasized in this final chapter.

Heart Application

This chapter challenges us to examine our own commitment to serving the Lord. Are we prioritizing our relationship with God above all else? Are we putting away foreign gods and serving the Lord alone? The chapter encourages us to make a conscious decision to follow God and to lead our families and communities in worshiping and obeying Him.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Joshua 24 is about the importance of serving God and putting away idolatry. The chapter reminds us of God's faithfulness to His people and challenges us to make a conscious decision to follow Him. As Joshua says, "If it is undesirable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15).

Voices from the Church

“The greatest mercy is to be compelled to look to God, and the greatest misery is to be allowed to look to anything else.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The covenant which God makes with us is not a mere agreement, but a bond of mutual obligation, by which we are bound to serve Him, and He is bound to bless us.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. The Gathering at Shechem (Joshua 24:1-2a) — Joshua gathers all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, where he will remind them of God's faithfulness and challenge them to serve the Lord.
2. The Review of God's Faithfulness (Joshua 24:2b-13) — Joshua reviews God's faithfulness to the Israelites, citing examples such as the parting of the Red Sea and the conquest of Canaan.
3. The Call to Serve the Lord (Joshua 24:14-15) — Joshua exhorts the Israelites to fear and serve the Lord, putting away their foreign gods. He presents them with a clear choice: to serve the Lord or to serve other gods.
4. The People's Response (Joshua 24:16-24) — The people agree to serve the Lord, and Joshua makes a covenant with them, writing down the terms in the Book of the Law of God.
5. The Conclusion (Joshua 24:25-31) — The chapter concludes with Joshua's death and burial, as well as the death of Eleazar, the son of Aaron.

Core Doctrines

The Doctrine of God's Faithfulness

This chapter teaches that God is faithful to His people, keeping His promises and fulfilling His covenant obligations. As Joshua reminds the Israelites, God has been faithful to them throughout their history (Joshua 24:17).

The Doctrine of Covenant Theology

The chapter emphasizes the importance of covenant theology, highlighting the mutual commitments and responsibilities between God and His people. The covenant between God and the Israelites is a central theme in this chapter.

The Doctrine of Idolatry

The chapter warns against the danger of idolatry, emphasizing the importance of serving the Lord alone. As Joshua says, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you" (Joshua 24:23).

The Doctrine of Leadership

The chapter highlights the importance of leadership, as Joshua's example challenges other leaders to prioritize their commitment to God and to lead their people in worshiping and obeying Him.

Lessons from Joshua 24

1. The Importance of Covenant Theology — The chapter teaches us the importance of covenant theology, highlighting the mutual commitments and responsibilities between God and His people.
2. The Danger of Idolatry — The chapter warns us against the danger of idolatry, emphasizing the importance of serving the Lord alone.
3. The Role of Leadership — The chapter highlights the importance of leadership, as Joshua's example challenges other leaders to prioritize their commitment to God and to lead their people in worshiping and obeying Him.
4. The Importance of Making a Conscious Decision to Follow God — The chapter challenges us to make a conscious decision to follow God and to serve Him alone.
5. The Importance of Prioritizing Our Relationship with God — The chapter encourages us to prioritize our relationship with God and to lead our families and communities in worshiping and obeying Him.

Themes from Joshua 24

1. Covenant Renewal — The chapter emphasizes the importance of renewing our covenant with God, highlighting the mutual commitments and responsibilities between God and His people.
2. Faithfulness — The chapter teaches us the importance of faithfulness, highlighting God's faithfulness to His people and our responsibility to be faithful to Him.
3. Idolatry — The chapter warns us against the danger of idolatry, emphasizing the importance of serving the Lord alone.
4. Leadership — The chapter highlights the importance of leadership, as Joshua's example challenges other leaders to prioritize their commitment to God and to lead their people in worshiping and obeying Him.
5. Decision-Making — The chapter challenges us to make a conscious decision to follow God and to serve Him alone.

Questions for Meditation

1. What are some ways in which God has been faithful to you in your life?
2. What are some foreign gods that you may be serving, and how can you put them away?
3. How can you prioritize your relationship with God and lead your family and community in worshiping and obeying Him?
4. What are some ways in which you can make a conscious decision to follow God and to serve Him alone?
5. How can you apply the themes of covenant renewal and faithfulness to your own life and relationships?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Joshua 24

	Sermon	Description
	Destroying Pop-Christian Views of Marital Bliss - Part 1 by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of a man loving his wife as God loves her. He highlights how many great preachers and missionaries often neglect their wives,
	A Deadly Choice by Chuck Smith	This sermon emphasizes the importance of making the right choice regarding Jesus Christ, highlighting the biblical theme of choosing between life and death. It explores the consequ
	Ministering to the Lord by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Romans, particularly chapters 1-11. He highlights how Paul, empowered by the Holy Spirit, condemns the entire human race through
	The Authority of Christ by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of dedicating one's life to serving God. He encourages young men to give their strength, days, youth, and beauty to God, rath
	An Open Door by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher shares a testimony of a person who sought God and experienced a miraculous transformation in their life. The preacher emphasizes the importance of bein
	Its Not Blind Faith by Mark Cahill	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of finding a young student who had committed suicide. This traumatic event led the speaker to question the lack of truth be
	(1 Kings) a Great Victory, and the Aftermath of It by David Guzik	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. He highlights the passion and commitment of the prophets of Baal, but emphasizes that their de
	Faith Unto Enlargement Through Adversity - Part 5 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of responding to God's call and separating oneself from personal interests. The example of Abraham is used to illustrate this p
	The Open Hand of God by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of observing a small duck swimming against a powerful stormy ocean. Through this observation, the speaker reflects on the d
	Guidelines to Freedom Part 1 - Who Takes First Place? by Alistair Begg	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the transformative power of the Ten Commandments for believers. He explains that the law of God reveals our sinfulness and leads us to salva

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Joshua 24

Matthew Henry's commentary on Joshua 24 emphasizes the importance of covenant renewal and faithfulness. Henry notes that Joshua's final address to the Israelites is a call to remember God's faithfulness and to commit themselves to serving the Lord alone. Henry also highlights the significance of the stone that Joshua sets up as a witness to the covenant, reminding the people of their responsibility to serve the Lord. Henry's commentary emphasizes the practical lessons of the chapter, including the importance of making a conscious decision to follow God and to reject idolatry. As Henry notes, 'The Lord is a jealous God, and will not tolerate any rival in our hearts' (Joshua 24:19). Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?