Jos 24:1-27 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Josh 24:1-27: 24:1-27 In both form and content, this statement of covenant resembled an ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaty. It begins with a preamble (24:2 ) and continues with a historical prologue relating the suzerain’s (God’s) gracious acts on behalf of the people (24:3-13 ), followed by a list of stipulations (24:14-15 ) and curses and blessings (24:19-20 ). It then notes where the text was to be deposited for periodic reading and renewal (implied, 24:26 ) and lists witnesses to the covenant (24:22 , 27 ). See also study note on Exod 20:1–23:33. Summary for Josh 24:1-13: 24:1-13 Joshua recounted God’s grace toward Israel. 24:1 Shechem was the location of the first affirmation of the covenant shortly after Israel had entered the land of Canaan (see 8:30-35 and corresponding study notes).

Summary for Josh 24:1-27: 24:1-27 ^a In both form and content, this statement of covenant resembled an ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaty. It begins with a preamble (24:2 ^b) and continues with a historical prologue relating the suzerain’s (God’s) gracious acts on behalf of the people (24:3-13 ^c), followed by a list of stipulations (24:14-15 ^d) and curses and blessings (24:19-20 ^e). It then notes where the text was to be deposited for periodic reading and renewal (implied, 24:26 ^f) and lists witnesses to the covenant (24:22 ^g, 27 ^h). See also study note on Exod 20:1–23:33.
Summary for Josh 24:1-13: 24:1-13 ⁱ Joshua recounted God’s grace toward Israel. 24:1 ^j Shechem was the location of the first affirmation of the covenant shortly after Israel had entered the land of Canaan (see 8:30-35 ^k and corresponding study notes).
24:2 ^l Terah: See Gen 11:27-32 ^m.
Summary for Josh 24:3-13: 24:3-13 ⁿ Israel’s faith was always the result of God’s initiative. Joshua’s repetition of God’s words I took ... I gave ... I sent ... I brought reminded the Israelites why they should continue to be loyal to God. 24:3 ^o Abraham lived at Haran in Mesopotamia beyond the Euphrates with his father Terah (Gen 11:31-32 ^p).

• led him into ... Canaan: See Gen 12:1-9 ^q.
24:4 ^r Jacob and Esau: See Gen 25:19-26 ^s.

• The mountains of Seir stood at the heart of Edom, the homeland of Esau’s descendants (Gen 36:8-9 ^t).
Summary for Josh 24:5-7: 24:5-7 ^u The Exodus, which culminated with the crossing of the Red Sea, was the climactic salvation event of ancient Israel’s history. A number of psalms, several of the later prophets, and several New Testament writers all celebrated this defining event.
24:6 ^v Red Sea: See study note on Exod 13:18.
24:7 ^w Even though the older Israelites present here had been children at the time of the Exodus, they had seen the events with their very own eyes.
24:8 ^x Amorites ... their land: See Num 21:21-35 ^y.
Summary for Josh 24:9-10: 24:9-10 ^z See Num 22–25 ^aa; 31:1-54 ^ab.
24:11 ^ac See study note on 3:10.
24:12 ^ad Israel’s successes were not because of their swords or bows or other military advantage; all were God’s doing.
24:13 ^ae The Israelites received wealth, including land ... towns and food, that they had not earned or created.
24:14 ^af Put away forever the idols: Israel had not yet broken with the old polytheistic traditions of Mesopotamia beyond the Euphrates River, and some Israelites had added to their supply of gods while living in Egypt.
24:15 ^ag Joshua threw the influence of his leadership and accomplishments behind his declaration to serve the Lord.
Summary for Josh 24:16-18: 24:16-18 ^ah The people recognized that it was God who rescued them, preserved them, and drove out the Amorites. 24:16 ^ai The people responded emphatically, reflecting their determination to follow Joshua’s lead in following the Lord.
Summary for Josh 24:19-24: 24:19-24 ^aj Joshua pressed the Israelites from a different perspective to underscore the seriousness of their commitment and to ensure that they were not merely responding to the enthusiasm of the moment. 24:19 ^ak God is holy: See thematic note for God’s Absolute Holiness at end of chapter.

• God is also jealous; he created every human being for relationship with himself.
24:22 ^al a witness to your own decision: Joshua pressed the people to repeat their declaration as a legal affirmation and commitment.
24:23 ^am Some Israelites had continued to worship idols since they left Egypt and after experiencing forty years of God’s love and power. Joshua directed them to destroy the idols and turn their hearts to the Lord to serve him alone.
24:25 ^an made a covenant: Literally cut a covenant (see study note on 9:15).
24:26 ^ao The Book of God’s Instructions was a scroll containing the writings of Moses (see study note on 1:8). It was probably carried to Shiloh and stored with other documents of national importance.

• The huge stone was probably a stela, a standing stone monument. Joshua might have had a memorial inscription chiseled into this stone monument.
24:27 ^ap This stone has heard: See study note on 22:27.