Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua assembledThe Hebrew root for "assembled" is קָהַל (qahal), which means to gather or convene. This word is often used in the context of bringing people together for a significant purpose, often religious or communal. Joshua, as a leader, is fulfilling his role by bringing the people together for a momentous occasion. This act of assembling signifies unity and collective purpose, reflecting the importance of community in the life of Israel. all the tribes of Israel
The phrase "all the tribes of Israel" emphasizes the inclusivity and unity of the nation. Each tribe, representing a distinct lineage and territory, is called to participate. This gathering underscores the covenantal relationship between God and the entire nation, not just a select few. It is a reminder of the collective identity and shared history of the Israelites, rooted in their common ancestry and divine calling. at Shechem
Shechem holds significant historical and spiritual importance. It is the place where God first promised the land to Abraham (Genesis 12:6-7) and where Jacob settled and built an altar (Genesis 33:18-20). By choosing Shechem, Joshua is connecting the present moment with the foundational events of Israel's history. Archaeologically, Shechem was a central city in the hill country of Ephraim, making it a practical and symbolic location for such a gathering. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officials of Israel
The summoning of "elders, leaders, judges, and officials" indicates a structured and organized society. Each group represents a level of authority and responsibility within the community. The elders are often seen as the wise and experienced, the leaders as those with influence, the judges as arbiters of justice, and the officials as administrators. This diverse assembly reflects the comprehensive nature of Israel's leadership and the importance of involving all levels of authority in covenantal matters. and they presented themselves before God
The act of presenting themselves "before God" signifies a moment of accountability and reverence. It is not merely a political or social gathering but a spiritual one. The Hebrew concept of standing before God implies a readiness to listen, obey, and renew commitment. This phrase highlights the theocratic nature of Israel's society, where God is the ultimate authority, and the leaders and people are His servants. It is a call to remember their dependence on and relationship with the divine. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, who guided the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, calling the assembly. 2. The Tribes of IsraelThe twelve tribes that descended from the sons of Jacob, representing the entire nation of Israel. 3. ShechemA significant city in the history of Israel, located in the hill country of Ephraim. It is a place of covenant renewal and historical importance. 4. Elders, Leaders, Judges, and OfficersThese are the various levels of leadership within Israel, representing the governance and judicial structure of the nation. 5. GodThe central figure before whom the assembly presents itself, emphasizing the theocratic nature of Israel's society. Teaching Points Covenant RenewalJust as Joshua gathered Israel to renew their covenant with God, believers today are called to regularly renew their commitment to God through prayer, worship, and obedience. Leadership and AccountabilityThe presence of elders, leaders, judges, and officers highlights the importance of godly leadership and accountability within the community of faith. Historical SignificanceUnderstanding the historical and spiritual significance of places like Shechem can deepen our appreciation for God's faithfulness throughout history. Unity in WorshipThe assembly of all tribes signifies the importance of unity in worship and purpose among God's people. Presenting Ourselves Before GodJust as the Israelites presented themselves before God, we are called to live lives that are continually presented before Him, seeking His guidance and blessing. Bible Study Questions 1. What is the significance of Shechem in the history of Israel, and how does it relate to God's promises to His people? 2. How does the gathering of all the tribes at Shechem reflect the unity and collective responsibility of the people of God? 3. In what ways can we, as modern believers, renew our covenant with God in our daily lives? 4. How does the structure of leadership in Israel, as seen in this passage, inform our understanding of leadership within the church today? 5. Reflect on a time when you have felt called to present yourself before God. How did that experience impact your faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12Shechem is first mentioned when God promises the land to Abraham, establishing its significance as a place of divine promise. Deuteronomy 27Moses commands the Israelites to set up stones and an altar at Shechem, linking it to covenant renewal. Judges 9Shechem later becomes a site of conflict, illustrating its ongoing importance in Israel's history. 1 Samuel 12Samuel gathers Israel to renew the covenant, paralleling Joshua's actions in this passage. People Aaron, Amorites, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Canaanites, Egyptians, Eleazar, Esau, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hamor, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Nachor, Nahor, Nun, Perizzites, Phinehas, Seir, Serah, Terah, ZipporPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Euphrates River, Gaash, Gibeah, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Red Sea, Seir, Shechem, Timnath-serahTopics Assembled, Authorities, Calleth, Chiefs, Convened, Elders, Gathered, Gathereth, Got, Heads, Joshua, Judges, Leaders, Officers, Officials, Overseers, Presented, Responsible, Shechem, Station, Summoned, Themselves, TribesDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 24:1 7719 elders, as leaders
8145 renewal, people of God Library February the Tenth Registering a Verdict
"The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey." --JOSHUA xxiv. 22-28. Here was a definite decision. Our peril is that we spend our life in wavering and we never decide. We are like a jury which is always hearing evidence and never gives a verdict. We do much thinking, but we never make up our minds. We let our eyes wander over many things, but we make no choice. Life has no crisis, no culmination. Now people who never decide spend their days in hoping to do so. But this kind of life …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearA Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
'And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3. Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness. …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are
Rom. viii. s 7, 8.--"The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." It is not the least of man's evils, that he knows not how evil he is, therefore the Searcher of the heart of man gives the most perfect account of it, Jer. xvii. 12. "The heart is deceitful above all things," as well as "desperately wicked," two things superlative and excessive in it, bordering upon an infiniteness, such …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 24:1 NIVJoshua 24:1 NLTJoshua 24:1 ESVJoshua 24:1 NASBJoshua 24:1 KJV
Joshua 24:1 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
