The people replied
This phrase indicates a collective response from the Israelites, showing unity in their declaration. It reflects the communal nature of their society, where decisions and declarations were often made as a group. This response comes after Joshua's challenge to the people to choose whom they will serve, highlighting the importance of leadership and covenant renewal in Israel's history.

Far be it from us
This expression is a strong idiomatic phrase used to reject an idea emphatically. It shows the people's determination and commitment to remain faithful to the LORD. This language is often used in the Old Testament to express a deep moral or spiritual conviction, indicating the seriousness with which the Israelites viewed their covenant relationship with God.

to forsake the LORD
Forsaking the LORD would mean abandoning the covenant relationship established at Sinai and reaffirmed in the Promised Land. Historically, Israel's identity was deeply tied to their worship of Yahweh, and forsaking Him would lead to dire consequences, as seen in the cycles of sin and redemption throughout the book of Judges. This phrase underscores the gravity of apostasy and the importance of faithfulness.

to serve other gods!
The mention of "other gods" refers to the pagan deities worshiped by surrounding nations, such as Baal and Asherah. The Israelites were constantly tempted by these foreign gods, which represented fertility, prosperity, and other aspects of life. This phrase highlights the ongoing struggle against idolatry, a central theme in the Old Testament. It also foreshadows the challenges Israel would face in maintaining their distinct identity amidst a polytheistic culture. The rejection of other gods is a reaffirmation of the first commandment, emphasizing exclusive devotion to Yahweh.

1. Joshua
The leader of Israel who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. In this chapter, he is renewing the covenant between God and Israel.

2. The Israelites
The people of God who are gathered at Shechem to hear Joshua's final exhortation and to renew their commitment to the LORD.

3. Shechem
A significant location in Israel's history, where God first promised the land to Abraham and where Joshua renews the covenant.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and gave them the Promised Land.

5. Other gods
The false deities worshiped by the surrounding nations, which Israel is warned against following.Commitment to God
The Israelites' response highlights the importance of a firm commitment to God, rejecting all forms of idolatry. Believers today must also choose to serve God wholeheartedly.

Covenant Renewal
Just as Israel renewed their covenant with God, Christians are called to regularly renew their commitment to Christ, remembering His faithfulness and their promises to Him.

Guarding Against Idolatry
The temptation to serve "other gods" is as real today as it was for Israel. Modern idols can be anything that takes priority over God in our lives, such as wealth, power, or relationships.

Community Affirmation
The collective response of the Israelites underscores the importance of community in faith. Believers should encourage one another in their commitment to God.

Historical Reflection
Reflecting on God's past faithfulness, as Joshua did, strengthens our faith and commitment. Remembering how God has worked in our lives can inspire continued devotion.(16) God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods.--The feelings of the people are naturally shocked by the bare mention of apostasy. They will not forsake Jehovah on any account. But their answer only betrayed their want of intelligence. They missed the point of Joshua's argument, as may be seen by his reply.

Verse 16. - And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord. There could be no doubt of the sincerity of the people at that moment. The only doubt is that afterwards expressed by Joshua, whether the feeling were likely to be permanent. The best test of sincerity is not always the open hostility of foes, for this very often braces up the energies to combat, while at the same time it makes the path of duty clear. Still less is it the hour of triumph over our foes, for then there is no temptation to rebel. The real test of our faithfulness to God is in most cases our power to continue steadfastly in one course of conduct when the excitement of conflict is removed, and the enemies with which we have to contend are the insidious allurements of ease or custom amid the common place duties of life. Thus the Israelites who, amid many murmurings and backslidings, kept faithful to the guidance of Moses in the wilderness, and who followed with unwavering fidelity the banner of Joshua in Palestine, succumbed fatally to the temptations of a life of peace and quietness after his death. So too often does the young Christian, who sets out on his heavenward path with earnest desires and high aspirations, who resists successfully the temptations of youth to unbelief or open immorality, fall a victim to the more insidious snares of compromise with a corrupt society, and instead of maintaining a perpetual warfare with the world, rejecting its principles and despising its precepts, sinks down into a life of ignoble ease and self indulgence, in the place of a life of devotion to the service of God. He does not east off God's service, he does not reject Him openly, but mixes up insensibly with His worship the worship of idols which He hates. Such persons halt between two opinions, they strive to serve two masters, and the end, like that of Israel, is open apostasy and ruin. For "God forbid" see Joshua 22:29.

Parallel Commentaries ...


The people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

replied,
וַיַּ֤עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“Far be it from us
חָלִ֣ילָה (ḥā·lî·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

to forsake
מֵעֲזֹ֖ב (mê·‘ă·zōḇ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to serve
לַעֲבֹ֖ד (la·‘ă·ḇōḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

other
אֲחֵרִֽים׃ (’ă·ḥê·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

gods!
אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: Joshua 24:16 The people answered Far be it (Josh. Jos)