Joshua 23:2
And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age: And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
The summons came after the wars of conquest had ended and the Lord had given Israel rest from its enemies round about. A long time had passed since the Lord had given that rest. By that time Joshua was old, aware of his declining strength, and near the close of his life. He had withdrawn to his home at Timnath-serah. From there he called for all Israel, with its elders and heads and judges and officers, to speak to them.
He called them together to recount their history and remind them of the terms of the Lord's covenant with them. That review was meant to lead them to gratitude for God's providence and to humility over their murmuring and resistance and neglect of God's revealed will. He warned them against idolatry and against close ties with idolaters, including intermarriage. Such ties would corrupt them and lead them into sin and ruin.
Departing from God would bring desolation upon them, for God would be as faithful to His threats as to His promises. That warning applies to each person.