Joshua had given his final challenge to the nation of Israel. He had enumerated many of the wonderful things the Lord had done for them. He had publicly taken his stand that he would serve the Lord, speaking also on behalf of his family. The people too now answered that they would not forsake the Lord to serve other gods, but would serve Him who had done so much for them.

Joshua reminded them that Jehovah was a holy God and a jealous God who would deal with them in judgment if they would forsake Him to serve other gods (Josh. 24:20). In spite of this warning, the people insisted that they would serve Jehovah. Joshua set before them the solemn fact that they were witnesses against themselves and exhorted them to put away the strange gods among them and incline their hearts to Jehovah the God of Israel. The people agreed (v. 21).

The Book of Joshua concludes with Joshua’s death at the age of 110, his burial, the burial of the bones of Joseph, and the death and burial of Eleazar the priest (vv. 32–33). Each of these burials was within the territory allotted to the tribe of Ephraim. God notes the fact that Israel served Jehovah during the lifetimes of Joshua and the elders who had experienced the works the Lord had done for Israel. Faithful, godly leaders who have walked with the Lord and experienced His power are a great blessing to God’s people. But these pass on. Our trust must be in the Lord Himself, the abiding One. He does not change. He never fails.