Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

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.

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).

Verse 2

24:2 Terah: See Gen 11:27-32.

Verse 3

24:3-13 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 Abraham lived at Haran in Mesopotamia beyond the Euphrates with his father Terah (Gen 11:31-32). • led him into . . . Canaan: See Gen 12:1-9.

Verse 4

24:4 Jacob and Esau: See Gen 25:19-26. • The mountains of Seir stood at the heart of Edom, the homeland of Esau’s descendants (Gen 36:8-9).

Verse 5

24:5-7 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.

Verse 6

24:6 Red Sea: See study note on Exod 13:18.

Verse 7

24:7 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.

Verse 8

24:8 Amorites . . . their land: See Num 21:21-35.

Verse 9

24:9-10 See Num 22–25; 31:1-54.

Verse 11

24:11 See study note on 3:10.

Verse 12

24:12 Israel’s successes were not because of their swords or bows or other military advantage; all were God’s doing.

Verse 13

24:13 The Israelites received wealth, including land . . . towns and food, that they had not earned or created.

Verse 14

24:14 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.

Verse 15

24:15 Joshua threw the influence of his leadership and accomplishments behind his declaration to serve the Lord.

Verse 16

24:16-18 The people recognized that it was God who rescued them, preserved them, and drove out the Amorites.

24:16 The people responded emphatically, reflecting their determination to follow Joshua’s lead in following the Lord.

Verse 19

24:19-24 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 God is holy: See “God’s Absolute Holiness” Theme Note. • God is also jealous; he created every human being for relationship with himself.

Verse 22

24:22 a witness to your own decision: Joshua pressed the people to repeat their declaration as a legal affirmation and commitment.

Verse 23

24:23 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.

Verse 25

24:25 made a covenant: Literally cut a covenant (see study note on 9:15).

Verse 26

24:26 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.

Verse 27

24:27 This stone has heard: See study note on 22:27.

Verse 29

24:29-33 The tombs of a venerated ancestor and two revered leaders provided the final notice that Canaan was indeed Israel’s land. However, significant work, vigilance, and even fighting still lay ahead.

24:29 Joshua’s ancestor Joseph had also attained the age of 110, which was considered the ideal lifespan by ancient Egyptians.

Verse 30

24:30 Timnath-serah: See 19:49-51.

Verse 31

24:31 Joshua’s legacy was so strong that Israel remained faithful to God even throughout the lifetime . . . of the elders who outlived him.

Verse 32

24:32 Israel had carried the bones of Joseph out of Egypt, through the years of their journeys, and into Canaan to honor Joseph’s last request to be buried in the land God had promised Israel (Gen 50:25; Exod 13:19). • Shechem was part of the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants, at the border between Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob had purchased the land centuries before for 100 pieces of silver.

Verse 33

24:33 Eleazar the high priest had stood beside Joshua during the process of allotting portions of the land to the tribes of Israel. • Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar were all buried in Ephraim, in the central part of the newly conquered land. Their burial served as a final sign that God had fulfilled his promise to give Israel the land.