God’s past deliverance reminds us that those who trust in Him can stand firm in His promises.
In this passage, the people are recalling how “the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land” (v.18). The Amorites were among the prominent inhabitants of Canaan, the region God promised to Israel, generally dated to around 1400 BC when Joshua led Israel into the land. This verse emphasizes God’s victory on Israel’s behalf, driving out hostile nations so that Israel could settle in Canaan. By mentioning the Amorites, the text highlights one of the many nations that once controlled or threatened the territory, which stretched through mountainous regions and fertile plains spanning multiple ancient city-states. These displaced peoples were significant military threats, but they fell before the power of God. The text points to Joshua’s leadership, who succeeded Moses around 1406 BC, uniting the nation as they claimed their promised inheritance (Joshua 1:1-9).
In the latter part of the verse, we see Israel’s renewed commitment: “we also will serve the LORD, for He is our God” (v.18). This shows that Israel’s choice to worship God was tied to His faithfulness and mighty acts. Joshua 24 is a covenant renewal scene at Shechem, a significant location in the hill country of Ephraim where Jacob once settled (Genesis 33:18-20). Historically, Shechem was a central gathering place for important events, further underlining the solemn commitment the nation is making to God. God had acted as a divine warrior, fulfilling the promises He made to the patriarchs centuries before, and the people’s acknowledgment of His power leads them to profound loyalty and devotion.
This verse shares a common biblical theme of God’s deliverance, which resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments. Followers of Jesus later recognize God’s saving power in an even greater deliverance through Christ (John 3:16). In Joshua 24, the insistence on serving only the Lord underscores the exclusive nature of the covenant relationship that God’s people are to maintain—no other gods should take His place. Just as Israel remembered how God drove out their enemies, so believers are called to remember the almighty God who delivers them from sin and spiritual oppression (Romans 6:16-23).
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Joshua 24:18 meaning
In this passage, the people are recalling how “the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land” (v.18). The Amorites were among the prominent inhabitants of Canaan, the region God promised to Israel, generally dated to around 1400 BC when Joshua led Israel into the land. This verse emphasizes God’s victory on Israel’s behalf, driving out hostile nations so that Israel could settle in Canaan. By mentioning the Amorites, the text highlights one of the many nations that once controlled or threatened the territory, which stretched through mountainous regions and fertile plains spanning multiple ancient city-states. These displaced peoples were significant military threats, but they fell before the power of God. The text points to Joshua’s leadership, who succeeded Moses around 1406 BC, uniting the nation as they claimed their promised inheritance (Joshua 1:1-9).
In the latter part of the verse, we see Israel’s renewed commitment: “we also will serve the LORD, for He is our God” (v.18). This shows that Israel’s choice to worship God was tied to His faithfulness and mighty acts. Joshua 24 is a covenant renewal scene at Shechem, a significant location in the hill country of Ephraim where Jacob once settled (Genesis 33:18-20). Historically, Shechem was a central gathering place for important events, further underlining the solemn commitment the nation is making to God. God had acted as a divine warrior, fulfilling the promises He made to the patriarchs centuries before, and the people’s acknowledgment of His power leads them to profound loyalty and devotion.
This verse shares a common biblical theme of God’s deliverance, which resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments. Followers of Jesus later recognize God’s saving power in an even greater deliverance through Christ (John 3:16). In Joshua 24, the insistence on serving only the Lord underscores the exclusive nature of the covenant relationship that God’s people are to maintain—no other gods should take His place. Just as Israel remembered how God drove out their enemies, so believers are called to remember the almighty God who delivers them from sin and spiritual oppression (Romans 6:16-23).