And Joshua said to all the people, "You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God." And Joshua said to all the peopleThis phrase sets the scene for a communal gathering, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the Israelites. Joshua, as the leader, addresses the entire nation, underscoring the importance of unity in faith and obedience. Historically, this moment follows the renewal of the covenant at Shechem, a significant site for Israel's history, where Abraham first received God's promise ( Genesis 12:6-7). The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, indicating the gravity of Joshua's message. Behold, this stone
The use of "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) serves as an imperative to pay attention, drawing the people's focus to the stone. Stones in ancient Near Eastern cultures often served as memorials or witnesses to covenants. This particular stone is not just a physical object but a symbol of the enduring nature of the covenant between God and Israel. Archaeologically, stones were commonly used in ancient times to mark significant events or agreements, serving as tangible reminders of commitments made. will be a witness against us
The concept of a stone as a "witness" (עֵד, 'ed) is profound, suggesting that the stone metaphorically "observes" and "remembers" the covenant. In the Hebrew tradition, witnesses were crucial in legal and covenantal contexts, ensuring accountability. This stone, therefore, stands as a perpetual reminder of the people's promise to serve the LORD, reinforcing the seriousness of their commitment. for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us
This phrase personifies the stone, attributing it with the ability to "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama). In a poetic sense, it underscores the omnipresence and omniscience of God, who uses creation itself to bear witness to His words. The "words the LORD has spoken" refer to the covenantal laws and promises given to Israel, highlighting the divine authority and sacredness of these commands. And it will be a witness against you
Reiterating the stone's role as a witness, this phrase emphasizes personal accountability. The repetition serves as a warning to the Israelites, reminding them that their actions are observed and will be judged. The stone's presence is a constant reminder of their vow to remain faithful to God. if you ever deny your God
The conditional "if" introduces a solemn warning about the potential for apostasy. To "deny" (כָּחַשׁ, kachash) in Hebrew implies a deliberate rejection or betrayal. This phrase serves as a caution against idolatry and unfaithfulness, urging the Israelites to remain steadfast in their devotion. Historically, Israel's struggle with idolatry is well-documented, making this warning particularly poignant. The phrase underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people, which requires loyalty and obedience. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, who guided the Israelites into the Promised Land and led them in renewing their covenant with God. 2. The IsraelitesThe people of God who are gathered to renew their covenant with the LORD at Shechem. 3. The StoneA physical monument set up by Joshua to serve as a witness to the covenant between God and the Israelites. 4. ShechemThe location where the covenant renewal ceremony took place, a significant site in Israel's history. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, who has spoken to His people and established a covenant with them. Teaching Points The Importance of RemindersPhysical reminders, like the stone, help us remember our commitments to God and His faithfulness to us. Witnesses to Our FaithJust as the stone was a witness, our lives and actions serve as witnesses to our faith in God. Covenant RenewalRegularly renewing our commitment to God is vital for maintaining a strong relationship with Him. AccountabilityThe stone serves as a reminder that we are accountable to God for our actions and promises. The Power of God's WordThe stone "heard" the words of the LORD, emphasizing the enduring power and presence of God's word in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What significance does the stone have as a witness in Joshua 24:27, and how can we create similar reminders in our own lives? 2. How does the concept of a physical witness, like the stone, relate to the idea of living as a witness for Christ in the New Testament? 3. In what ways can we regularly renew our covenant with God, and why is this important for our spiritual growth? 4. How do other biblical examples of stones or monuments as witnesses (e.g., 1 Samuel 7:12) enhance our understanding of Joshua 24:27? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt accountable to God for a promise or commitment. How did that accountability impact your actions and faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 31:19-21This passage discusses the use of a song as a witness against the Israelites, similar to the stone in Joshua 24:27, emphasizing the importance of reminders of God's covenant. 1 Samuel 7:12Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer as a witness to God's help, paralleling Joshua's use of a stone as a witness. Habakkuk 2:11The idea that inanimate objects can serve as witnesses is echoed here, where the stones of a wall cry out. 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 Behold, Deal, Deny, Falsely, Hearing, Joshua, Lest, Lie, Sayings, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Stone, Thus, Untrue, WitnessDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 24:14-27 8145 renewal, people of God Joshua 24:26-27 4366 stones 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 24:27 NIVJoshua 24:27 NLTJoshua 24:27 ESVJoshua 24:27 NASBJoshua 24:27 KJV
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