⚔️WEB · Joshua 24:18
What does Joshua 24:18 mean?
"Yahweh drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve Yahweh; for he is our God.”"
— Joshua 24:18 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
The people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake Yahweh, to serve other gods;
for it is Yahweh our God who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way in which we went, and among all the peoples through the middle of whom we passed.
Yahweh drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve Yahweh; for he is our God.”
Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.
If you forsake Yahweh, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after he has done you good.”
The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve Yahweh.”
Explanation
Joshua 24:18 records the words of the Israelite people responding to Joshua near the end of his life. In plain language, the people are declaring that God himself drove out the nations who occupied the land of Canaan before them, including the Amorites, and because of this, they commit themselves to serve Yahweh as their God. This is a statement of allegiance made in response to a direct challenge from their leader.
The context is crucial for understanding the verse fully. Joshua, now old and near death, has gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem for a covenant renewal ceremony. In the preceding verses, Joshua recounts the entire history of God's dealings with Israel—from the calling of Abraham, through the exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. He then presents the people with a choice: serve Yahweh, or serve other gods, whether the gods their ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they now lived. Joshua even declares, "as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh" (24:15). The people's response in verse 18 comes after they have already affirmed in verse 17 that God brought them up out of Egypt and protected them throughout their journey. Verse 18 continues that recitation of God's faithfulness, specifically pointing to the conquest of the land, and concludes with their pledge of loyalty.
Theologically, this verse highlights the connection between God's past faithfulness and the people's present obligation to covenant loyalty. The people's decision to serve
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