So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
Joshua 24:25 belongs to the time long after the wars of conquest had ended, when the Lord had given Israel rest from its enemies and Joshua gathered Israel and its leaders together. It stands in Joshua's final review and appeal to the people, in which he warned them against idolatry and close ties with idolaters, including intermarriage, because such contact would corrupt them and lead to ruin. The warning showed that as God fulfills His promises He will also fulfill His warnings, so that turning away from Him would bring desolation.
The covenant followed the people's answer that they would serve the Lord, their witness against themselves that they had chosen the Lord to serve Him, and Joshua's charge to put away the strange gods among them and incline their hearts to the Lord God of Israel. That day at Shechem Joshua made the people's renewed pledge to serve the Lord and obey His voice into a formal, binding covenant, setting it as a statute and an ordinance. He recorded the covenant words in the book containing the laws and statutes given to Moses, placed beside the book of the law by the ark, and set up a stone as a witness to the pledge so the people would not deny their God.
The verse records Joshua's loyal, faithful, ringing testimony given as his steadfast life was closing, as a light to those who had transgressed and mourned at Bochim and before the old faithful sentinels who had crossed the Jordan passed away one by one. Afterward a new generation arose, the faithful experience was forgotten, and the nation departed from God and corrupted its worship with erroneous principles, pride and display. The chapter records a revival among God's ancient people, with this verse marking the covenant made that day, to be read carefully and with an understanding heart by all who name the name of Christ to search their own hearts whether they are in the faith. The warning applies personally to shun even the appearance of evil and not to approach the borders of sin.
Joshua 24:25 belongs to the time long after the wars of conquest had ended, when the Lord had given Israel rest from its enemies and Joshua gathered Israel and its leaders together. It stands in Joshua's final review and appeal to the people, in which he warned them against idolatry and close ties with idolaters, including intermarriage, because such contact would corrupt them and lead to ruin. The warning showed that as God fulfills His promises He will also fulfill His warnings, so that turning away from Him would bring desolation.
The covenant followed the people's answer that they would serve the Lord, their witness against themselves that they had chosen the Lord to serve Him, and Joshua's charge to put away the strange gods among them and incline their hearts to the Lord God of Israel. That day at Shechem Joshua made the people's renewed pledge to serve the Lord and obey His voice into a formal, binding covenant, setting it as a statute and an ordinance. He recorded the covenant words in the book containing the laws and statutes given to Moses, placed beside the book of the law by the ark, and set up a stone as a witness to the pledge so the people would not deny their God.
The verse records Joshua's loyal, faithful, ringing testimony given as his steadfast life was closing, as a light to those who had transgressed and mourned at Bochim and before the old faithful sentinels who had crossed the Jordan passed away one by one. Afterward a new generation arose, the faithful experience was forgotten, and the nation departed from God and corrupted its worship with erroneous principles, pride and display. The chapter records a revival among God's ancient people, with this verse marking the covenant made that day, to be read carefully and with an understanding heart by all who name the name of Christ to search their own hearts whether they are in the faith. The warning applies personally to shun even the appearance of evil and not to approach the borders of sin.