Joshua 24:14
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
Joshua 24:14 belongs to Joshua's farewell address at the close of his life and work, given after the wars of conquest had ended and the Lord had given Israel rest from enemies. On that solemn occasion he called the tribes together at Shechem, and the ark had been brought from Shiloh to deepen the sense of God's presence. It was his loyal, faithful last charge to Israelites soon to be left without his counsel.
It was spoken to men who had transgressed and mourned for their sins at Bochim and to a new generation coming on the stage who had not been accustomed to eat the bread from heaven, as the old faithful sentinels who had crossed the Jordan were one by one laying off their armor. In it he reviewed Israel's history since leaving Egypt, recalling God's covenant, mighty acts, wonderful works, care, blessings and mercies. This was to awaken gratitude and humility over failures to follow revealed will, to give a sense of His love and mercy, to remind them that not one of His promises had failed, and so to revive and strengthen their faith to recognize His present work and follow Him.
In response to that faithful care the verse calls Israel to revere the Lord and serve Him alone sincerely and truthfully, rather than remaining divided in loyalty. This requires putting away the inherited false and strange gods that their fathers served on the other side of the flood, beyond the Euphrates, and in Egypt and in other lands. Fearing the Lord means revering Him enough to avoid wrongdoing that would endanger the soul or offend Him.
The call to put away idols confronts the pull of visible, material objects, since idol worship diverted minds from the unseen, living God. Idolatrous habits persisted among some who had left Egypt even after settlement in Canaan, so Joshua urged decisive, wholehearted reformation, otherwise Israel would drift farther from God and lose His protection. The warning against idolatry includes avoiding close ties with idolaters, including intermarriage, and shunning even the appearance of evil, because turning away from God exposes people to corruption, ruin and desolation.
Joined to the call is the warning that forsaking the Lord for strange gods will bring hurt and consuming after good received, and that as surely as God keeps His promises He carries out His warnings. To this the people pledged that they would serve the Lord as witnesses against themselves with hearts inclined to the Lord God of Israel. After Joshua and the faithful steadfast souls who had not betrayed their trust passed away and their experience was forgotten, the nation in departing from God would corrupt themselves and mingle their worship with erroneous principles, haughty pride and love of display.
The sincere and truthful service the verse requires is not limited to worship in God's house but must also be shown in the home and in family relationships. The warning applies to each person individually. Applied to teachers and managers, the verse warns against refusing to follow greater light and preferring human ideas over divine principles. The revival recorded in the surrounding chapter is one that all who name the name of Christ should read carefully and with an understanding heart to search their own hearts whether they be in the faith.