Joshua 24:21,22

Ver. 21, 22. And the people said—nay, but we will serve the Lord, &c.— To these fresh protestations of fidelity on the part of the whole assembly, Joshua replies, that he receives them as a holy and solemn declaration, which, thus publicly and deliberately made, will for ever witness against the Israelites, and condemn them if they become unfaithful to the Lord. In answer to this, they again express their consent, that if they ever forsake Jehovah their words may bear testimony against them. Thus we have a sacred renewal, an authentic confirmation of the covenant into which their forefathers had entered with God, as their king, Exodus 12:24 :; a covenant, which, after this, they could not again infringe, without being in the higher degree guilty of perjury.