Joshua 24:18

KJV

And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: [therefore] will we also serve the LORD; for he [is] our God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} drave out {H1644} from before {H6440} us all the people {H5971}, even the Amorites {H567} which dwelt {H3427} in the land {H776}: therefore will we also serve {H5647} the LORD {H3068}; for he is our God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and it was ADONAI who drove out from ahead of us all the peoples, the Emori living in the land. Therefore we too will serve ADONAI, for he is our God."

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!”

American Standard Version

and Jehovah drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites that dwelt in the land: therefore we also will serve Jehovah; for he is our God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 24:18 captures the resounding affirmation of the Israelite people at Shechem, declaring their unwavering commitment to serve the LORD. This pivotal moment of covenant renewal follows Joshua's powerful challenge to choose whom they would serve, and the people's response is rooted in a profound recognition of God's mighty acts of deliverance, particularly His expulsion of the Amorites and other inhabitants from the Promised Land. Their declaration, "for he is our God," solidifies their exclusive allegiance to the one true God, acknowledging His faithfulness and their unique covenant relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Joshua's final, poignant address to the assembled tribes of Israel at Shechem, a site steeped in covenant history, where Abraham first built an altar and Jacob buried foreign gods ([Genesis 12:6](/genesis/12-6 "Genesis 12:6 - Abraham's Altar at Shechem") and [Genesis 35:4](/genesis/35-4 "Genesis 35:4 - Jacob Buries Idols at Shechem")). Joshua has just meticulously recounted the LORD's faithful dealings with Israel, from Abraham's call to the successful conquest of Canaan. He then presents a stark choice to the people in [Joshua 24:15](/joshua/24-15 "Joshua 24:15 - Joshua's Challenge to Choose"), challenging them to serve the LORD exclusively, famously declaring, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Verse 18 is part of the people's immediate and emphatic corporate response, demonstrating their understanding that their commitment is a direct consequence of God's undeniable redemptive acts on their behalf.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The gathering at Shechem was a formal covenant renewal ceremony, a crucial act for a people transitioning from conquest to settlement. Such ceremonies were common in the ancient Near East, often involving a recounting of past deeds by the suzerain (God) and a declaration of loyalty by the vassals (Israel). The mention of "the Amorites" is significant; they were a prominent and powerful group among the Canaanite inhabitants, often used as a representative term for all the pre-Israelite peoples of the land, signifying the totality of God's victory. Israel's declaration to serve the LORD alone stood in stark contrast to the polytheistic practices of the surrounding nations, where multiple deities were worshipped, often syncretistically. This commitment was a radical act of exclusive devotion in their cultural milieu.
* **Key Themes:** [Joshua 24:18](/joshua/24-18 "Joshua 24:18 - Israel's Pledge to Serve the LORD") powerfully encapsulates several core themes of the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Deliverance**, emphasizing that Israel's possession of the land was not by their might but by the LORD's active intervention, as seen throughout the conquest narratives (e.g., [Joshua 10:11](/joshua/10-11 "Joshua 10:11 - The LORD Fights for Israel")). Secondly, it demonstrates **Responsive Commitment**, where Israel's decision to "serve the LORD" is a direct and grateful consequence of His prior grace and faithfulness, illustrating that true worship flows from an understanding of God's character and deeds. Finally, the concluding phrase, "for he is our God," is a profound **Covenant Affirmation**, echoing the foundational promise from God to Israel, "I will be to you a God, and ye shall be to me a people" ([Exodus 6:7](/exodus/6-7 "Exodus 6:7 - God's Covenant Promise")). This declaration solidifies Israel's acceptance of their unique, exclusive relationship with the one true God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **drave out (Hebrew, יָרַשׁ, _yarash'_):** In its Hiphil (causative) stem, this verb means "to dispossess," "to drive out," or "to cause to inherit." Here, it powerfully conveys God's active, decisive, and complete action in removing the Canaanite inhabitants. It underscores that the victory and the inheritance of the land were not merely human achievements but divinely orchestrated acts, emphasizing God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
* **serve (Hebrew, עָבַד, _avad'_):** This word carries a rich semantic range, encompassing "to work," "to labor," "to worship," and "to be a servant." In this context, it signifies a comprehensive commitment of obedience, allegiance, and devotion to God that extends beyond mere ritualistic worship. It implies a life lived in active submission and dedication to the LORD in all spheres, acknowledging Him as Master and King.
* **our God (Hebrew, אֱלֹהֵינוּ, _elohēnu'_):** The suffix "-enu" (our) attached to the divine name "Elohim" (God) signifies a personal, possessive, and covenantal relationship. This is a profound declaration of exclusive allegiance, affirming that the LORD is uniquely *their* God, distinct from all other deities, and that they belong to Him. It encapsulates the core of the covenant relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land:"** This opening clause serves as the foundational premise for Israel's subsequent commitment. It is a powerful statement of divine agency, attributing the successful conquest and the dispossession of the land's inhabitants directly to the LORD. The specific mention of "the Amorites" highlights a prominent and formidable group, symbolizing the comprehensive nature of God's victory over all the peoples of Canaan, thereby fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham.
* **"[therefore] will we also serve the LORD;"** The conjunction "therefore" (implied by the logical flow, though not explicitly a single Hebrew word in the KJV) establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship. Israel's decision to serve the LORD is not arbitrary but a direct, grateful, and logical response to God's prior acts of deliverance and faithfulness. This signifies a volitional commitment, a conscious choice to dedicate themselves to the God who has acted so powerfully on their behalf. The "also" ("we also," as in "just as Joshua declared for his house, so will we also") reinforces their unanimous and collective resolve.
* **"for he [is] our God."** This concluding phrase provides the ultimate theological justification and motivation for their service. It is a profound covenantal declaration, affirming their exclusive relationship with the LORD. By proclaiming Him as "our God," they acknowledge His unique identity as the one true God and their unique status as His chosen people, bound to Him by sacred covenant. This declaration forms the theological bedrock of their allegiance and sets the standard for their future conduct.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Covenant Formula**, evident in Israel's declaration "he is our God," echoing the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship ("I will be your God, and you will be my people"). This is reinforced by the **Cause and Effect** structure, where God's prior action of "driving out" directly leads to Israel's responsive commitment to "serve the LORD." The mention of "the Amorites" can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Merism**, where a significant part (the Amorites, a powerful group) stands for the whole (all the Canaanite peoples), emphasizing the totality of God's victory. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Affirmation** and **Declaration**, a public and unanimous pledge of allegiance, solidifying the covenant renewal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 24:18 stands as a profound theological statement, encapsulating the essence of the covenant relationship between God and Israel: God's initiative in salvation demands a responsive commitment from His people. It underscores that true service to God is not an attempt to earn favor but a grateful and obedient response to His prior acts of grace and deliverance. This verse highlights the theme of exclusive worship, emphasizing that the LORD alone is worthy of Israel's devotion, setting Him apart from all competing deities. It serves as a timeless reminder that acknowledging God's mighty works in our lives should naturally lead to a deeper, unwavering commitment to Him as our sovereign Lord and God.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema: Love the LORD Your God")
* [1 Samuel 7:3](/1_samuel/7-3 "1 Samuel 7:3 - Samuel's Call to Repentance and Exclusive Worship")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - You Cannot Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 24:18 offers a powerful paradigm for contemporary believers. Just as Israel recounted God's historical acts of deliverance, we are called to remember and reflect on God's past faithfulness in our own lives and in the grand narrative of redemption. This remembrance cultivates gratitude, strengthens faith, and deepens our commitment. Our service to God should similarly be a joyful and willing response to His saving grace, not a burdensome obligation or an attempt to earn His favor. We serve Him because He has first delivered us from the bondage of sin and death, a truth beautifully articulated in the New Testament's call to offer our bodies as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). In a world saturated with competing loyalties, distractions, and idols, the declaration "he is our God" demands exclusive and unwavering allegiance. It challenges us to examine where our ultimate devotion lies and to affirm that the LORD alone is worthy of our complete trust and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your personal life, strengthen your resolve to serve Him today?**
* **In what practical ways can your "service to the LORD" be a grateful response to His grace, rather than a duty or an attempt to earn favor?**
* **What "Amorites" or competing loyalties in your life might challenge your exclusive allegiance to God, and how can you reaffirm that "He is our God" in those areas?**

### FAQ
**Why are the "Amorites" specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The Amorites were a particularly powerful and prominent group among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. Their specific mention serves several purposes: it highlights the formidable nature of the enemies God had overcome, thereby magnifying His power; it acts as a representative term (a synecdoche) for all the various Canaanite peoples, signifying the comprehensive nature of God's victory; and it underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to dispossess the land's inhabitants before Israel, as seen in passages like [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites").

**What is the significance of the implied "therefore" in Israel's declaration?**

Answer: The "therefore" (or "because of this") is crucial as it establishes a clear logical and theological connection between God's mighty acts and Israel's subsequent commitment. It signifies that Israel's decision to serve the LORD is not arbitrary but a direct, grateful, and volitional response to His prior grace and deliverance. This highlights that true worship and obedience are rooted in a recognition of God's character and His redemptive work, rather than being a means to earn salvation or a mere religious formality. It emphasizes service as a response to what God has already done.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of covenant in Joshua?**

Answer: Joshua 24:18 is a pivotal moment in the covenant narrative of Joshua. It represents a renewal and reaffirmation of the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai. Joshua's address at Shechem functions as a covenant ceremony, reminding the people of God's faithfulness and their obligations. The people's declaration, "therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God," directly echoes the foundational covenant formula, "I will be your God, and you will be my people" ([Exodus 6:7](/exodus/6-7 "Exodus 6:7 - God's Covenant Promise")). This verse solidifies Israel's commitment to the terms of the covenant, particularly the demand for exclusive allegiance to Yahweh, setting the stage for their life in the Promised Land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 24:18, with its emphasis on God's decisive action to "drive out" the enemies and Israel's subsequent commitment to "serve the LORD," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD dispossessed the Amorites to secure a physical inheritance for Israel, so too Christ, the greater Joshua, has decisively "drave out" and disarmed the spiritual enemies of sin, death, and the devil through His cross and resurrection ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Christ's Victory Over Sin and Powers")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), delivering us from the dominion of darkness and transferring us into His kingdom ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). Our response to this ultimate act of divine deliverance is, "therefore will we also serve the LORD." This service under the New Covenant is not merely external obedience but a spiritual worship in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), a life lived in grateful response to His saving grace, offering ourselves as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). The declaration, "for he is our God," is profoundly realized in Christ, through whom we are adopted as sons and daughters of God ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")), and He is our Lord, King, and Savior, deserving of our exclusive and unwavering devotion, as we fix our eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith ([Hebrews 12:1-2](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1-2 - Looking to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.