Joshua 24:14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Now therefore fear {H3372} the LORD {H3068}, and serve {H5647} him in sincerity {H8549} and in truth {H571}: and put away {H5493} the gods {H430} which your fathers {H1} served {H5647} on the other side {H5676} of the flood {H5104}, and in Egypt {H4714}; and serve {H5647} ye the LORD {H3068}.

"Therefore fear ADONAI, and serve him truly and sincerely. Put away the gods your ancestors served beyond the [Euphrates]River and in Egypt, and serve ADONAI!

Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

Now therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye Jehovah.

Commentary

Joshua 24:14 is a pivotal verse in Joshua's farewell address to the Israelites at Shechem, serving as a powerful exhortation before his death. It encapsulates the essence of their covenant relationship with God, demanding exclusive loyalty and sincere devotion.

Context

This verse comes towards the climax of Joshua’s final speech to the assembled tribes of Israel. Having recounted God's faithful deeds from the time of Abraham's call from Ur of the Chaldees (the "other side of the flood," referring to the Euphrates River) through the Exodus from Egypt and their successful conquest of Canaan, Joshua presents the people with a stark choice. He reminds them of the LORD’s miraculous provision and protection, setting the stage for his famous challenge in Joshua 24:15, where he declares his own allegiance.

Key Themes

  • Fear the LORD: This isn't a call to terror, but to a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's power, holiness, and covenant faithfulness. It implies submission to His will and obedience to His commands, as articulated in Proverbs 1:7, which states that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge."
  • Serve Him in Sincerity and Truth: This emphasizes wholehearted devotion, free from hypocrisy or wavering loyalty. "Sincerity" (Hebrew: tamim) denotes completeness, integrity, and blamelessness, while "truth" (Hebrew: 'emeth) implies faithfulness and reliability. It's a call to genuine, unreserved commitment, reflecting the spirit of loving the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and might.
  • Put Away the Gods of Your Fathers: Joshua directly confronts the lingering idolatry that persisted even among those who had witnessed God’s mighty acts. The "gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood" refers to the pagan deities worshipped in Mesopotamia, and "in Egypt" points to the pantheon of Egyptian gods. This command reiterates the first commandment against idolatry, demanding an exclusive relationship with the one true God.
  • Serve Ye the LORD: The verse concludes with a clear, repeated imperative to serve only the LORD. This is a call to monotheism and faithfulness, rejecting any syncretism or divided allegiance. Israel's identity and blessing depended entirely on their exclusive devotion to God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fear the LORD" uses the Hebrew word yirah, which encompasses both awe and obedience. "Sincerity" translates from tamim, suggesting integrity and wholeness, while "truth" is 'emeth, signifying steadfastness and faithfulness. These terms together paint a picture of a relationship with God that is both reverent and genuinely committed, not merely external ritual or lip service.

Practical Application

Joshua 24:14 remains highly relevant for believers today. We are similarly called to make a conscious choice to serve God wholeheartedly. This means:

  • Reverence and Obedience: Approaching God with deep respect and striving to obey His commands.
  • Genuine Faith: Cultivating a faith that is not superficial but deeply rooted in our hearts, reflecting integrity in our actions and beliefs.
  • Renouncing Modern Idols: Identifying and surrendering anything that competes for our ultimate loyalty and devotion, whether it be materialism, career, comfort, social status, or self. Just as ancient Israel had physical idols, we can have spiritual idols that distract us from God.
  • Exclusive Devotion: Recognizing that God demands and deserves our undivided allegiance. We cannot serve both God and other masters (Matthew 6:24).

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that true faith involves a deliberate, ongoing choice to honor and serve God alone, in every aspect of our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 12:24

    Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you.

  • Deuteronomy 10:12

    ¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

  • Genesis 35:2

    Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    ¶ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

  • Joshua 24:23

    Now therefore put away, [said he], the strange gods which [are] among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.

  • Psalms 119:1

    ¶ ALEPH. Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

  • John 4:23

    But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
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