Read Joshua 24 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
24:1-15 {p} Joshua to all Israel: Choose this day whom you will serve
24:16-26 {p} The people answer 3 times: We will serve YHVH
24:27-28 {p} The witness stone, which has heard the choice of the people
24:29-33 {p} Death of Joshua/ burial of Joseph’s bones/ death of Eleazar
Joshua 24 Chiastic Structures:
Jos 24:1-15 {p} Chiasm
Jos 24:29-33 {p} Chiasm
Joshua 24:16-28 {p+p} Chiasm:
Why does Joshua say that YHVH will not forgive Israel’s sins, when we know that God forgives sins? The sense that I have of this whole discourse, is that Joshua is drawing a clear line between the gods of the Canaanites, and YHVH, the God of Israel. So choose this day who you will serve, and stick to your choice. If you choose YHVH, then don’t be flippant about it. He is not like the gods of the Canaanites, who could care less what you do or how many gods you serve. He is YHVH, holy, set apart, and jealous of His people’s affections. Be aware of what you are choosing, and choose accordingly.
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Joshua 24:1-15 Chiastic Structure – Christine Miller
Joshua 23 and 24, The Vital Importance of Godly Leaders – Christine Miller
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