Joshua 24:1
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
The gathering at Shechem was final, coming after the wars of conquest had ended and Israel had enjoyed a long period of rest from its enemies, when Joshua was aged and infirm, near death, and preparing to lay down his work and place his responsibilities upon the representative men of the nation. In obedient response to his last summons, all the tribes with their elders, heads, leaders, judges, and officers assembled together and presented themselves before God to renew their vows in the presence of their dying leader. Shechem was chosen because no spot in the land held so many sacred associations, carrying minds back to God's covenant with Abraham and Jacob and to Israel's own solemn vows upon entering Canaan, with Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim standing as silent witnesses of those vows.
On every side lay evidences of what God had wrought, in giving them a land for which they did not labor, and cities which they built not, and vineyards and oliveyards which they planted not, and this inheritance received without building or planting stood as visible testimony to what God had done for Israel. The purpose of the gathering was to recount Israel's history since they were called as God's people and to review God's past blessings, mercies, love, and providential care, so the people would recognize His present work and have their faith strengthened. That recounting of what God had done helps people recognize His present work and encourages them to carry forward His work with humility and self-sacrifice.
That review was meant to awaken gratitude for God's providential care and humility over murmuring, complaints, disobedience, and neglect of God's revealed will, and to lead the people to serve Him sincerely and truthfully. Joshua also warned against idolatry and corrupting ties with idolaters, including intermarriage, because such associations could corrupt them, urging avoidance of even the appearance of evil because trifling with sin leads to ruin. He taught that God is faithful both to His promises and to His warnings so that departure from Him brings desolation.
The pattern of rehearsing again and again the instruction and history God has given His people still applies today, encouraging present faithfulness in carrying forward His work. The warning against idolatry and corrupting connection applies to each person individually.