JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:1 Joshua again called for an assembly at Shechem for a ceremony of covenant renewal (compare Joshua 8:30; Deuteronomy 11:26; Deuteronomy 27:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:2 THUS SAYS THE LORD. Joshua relays the Lord’s word, just as Moses did (Deuteronomy 5:27; Deuteronomy 18:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:12 It seems best to take THE HORNET as a symbol for the sting of fear that the Lord inflicts on his enemies. See Exodus 23:27, where “hornet” parallels “my terror.” Compare also Deuteronomy 7:20. The focus in all three contexts where “hornet” appears is on the Lord’s driving... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:14 Having seen the Lord’s faithfulness, Israel is called to FEAR THE LORD—implying reverence and true devotion—AND SERVE HIM. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:15 CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE. Joshua has urged the people to serve the Lord alone, and to put away the false gods (v. Joshua 24:14). Now he makes his admonition even sharper: IF IT IS EVIL IN their EYES TO SERVE THE LORD, then they must choose between two different... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:19 YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SERVE THE LORD. Joshua is not saying that it is impossible to truly serve the Lord. Rather, he is saying it cannot be done casually or without divine assistance. It is troubling that the people simply reassert their claim—NO, BUT WE WILL SERVE THE LORD... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:23 The mention of FOREIGN GODS... AMONG YOU makes the reader wonder how these idols could have been tolerated up to this point. Perhaps, as in vv. Joshua 24:14, Joshua is referring to the inner attitudes of the people’s hearts. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagNa... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:26 The title BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD occurs elsewhere only in Nehemiah 8:18, where it is explicitly identified with the “Book of the Law of Moses” (Nehemiah 8:1) and “Book of the Law” (Nehemiah 8:3). Those same titles are also found in Joshua 1:1 (see “Book of the Law” [Joshu... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:29 Now at the end of his life, and for the first time, Joshua is called THE SERVANT OF THE LORD like Moses (see note on 1:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:31 ISRAEL SERVED THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF JOSHUA, AND ... ELDERS. But what will happen in the next generation? See Judges 2:6. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:32 Burying THE BONES OF JOSEPH... AT SHECHEM brings the book of Joshua 1:1 (and the patriarchal history) to a fitting close. Joseph’s final wish is granted (Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19). All three aspects of God’s promise to the patriarchs are, at least in part, fulfilled. I... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 24:33 ELEAZAR THE SON OF AARON DIED. Given Eleazar’s importance (see note on 14:1) both in the Pentateuch and in Joshua 1:1, his death is one more sign of an era ending. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]