Pentecost Season · Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B
Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
The Covenant Renewed at Shechem
August 22, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
Covenant Renewal Ceremony at Shechem: 24:1–13 Joshua assembles representatives of the western tribes at Shechem. The chapter parallels the farewell address in Joshua 23. The farewell address anticipates Joshua’s death, and Joshua 24 describes it. This chapter gives no indication of its compositional history, and scholars disagree on its origin or use in the worship of Israel. The ceremony may reflect an early covenant renewal liturgy at Shechem (see Deut. 11:29–32; 27:1–26; reported in Josh. 8:30–35). Joshua’s reported message in Joshua 22:1–6 summarizes a similar covenant ceremony for the eastern tribes, perhaps at Shiloh.
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Commentary
Commentary on Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the covenant renewal at Shechem and the call to choose.
Joshua 24: Israel Renews the Covenant Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.
Joshua 24 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of quotations, word studies, and cross references worked verse by verse.
Joshua 24:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the assembly at Shechem in one place.
Barnes' Notes on Joshua 24 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Joshua 24.
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B): Readings Agape Bible Study
A Catholic reading study that links the covenant choice at Shechem to the day's Gospel decision.
Background & Word Study
Joshua 24 in Hebrew Sefaria
The Hebrew text with English alongside and classical Jewish commentaries.
Joshua 24:15 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the call to choose whom to serve.
Enter the Bible: Joshua Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the book of Joshua and the settlement of the land.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the covenant at Shechem?
Joshua rehearses God’s faithfulness and calls Israel to decide whom they will serve; the people renew the covenant to serve the Lord alone (Joshua 24). It is a classic call to wholehearted commitment.
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