Pentecost Season · Proper 16 · Year B
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the call to choose the Lord for the semicontinuous track.
Enduring Word: Joshua 24 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the covenant at Shechem.
Precept Austin: Joshua 24 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed study gathering many commentators on the renewal of the covenant.
CEP: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on choosing whom you will serve.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Joshua 24:1 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the assembly at Shechem.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Joshua Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to the book of Joshua.
Sefaria: Joshua 24 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the chapter.
BibleHub: Joshua 24 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew-English interlinear for word-level study of the chapter.
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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