If it seems wrong in your eyes to serve YAHWEH, then make your decision today which gods you will worship—the gods which your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods which the Amorites worship in the land where you are now living—but I and my family, we will give our lives to worship and serve YAHWEH!”
The people responded enthusiastically: “Far be it from us to abandon YAHWEH and serve other gods! Our God, YAHWEH, set us and our fathers free from slavery in the land of Egypt, the house of bondage. He performed these many great signs and wonders before our eyes. YAHWEH supernaturally protected us throughout our entire journey as we passed through the territory of other nations. And as we advanced, YAHWEH powerfully drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who inhabited the country. Yes, Joshua! We, too, will worship and serve YAHWEH, for he alone is our God.”
Joshua warned the people, “Don’t be so quick to say, ‘We will worship and serve YAHWEH,’ for he is a holy God. And he will tolerate no rivals. God will not forgive the sin of unfaithfulness to him. If after YAHWEH has been gracious to you, you turn and forsake him to worship other gods, then he will turn and deal harshly with you and totally consume you!”
“No, no!” the people responded. “We promise to worship and serve YAHWEH!”
Then Joshua said to them, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve YAHWEH.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they responded.
“Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away these foreign gods that are among you, and yield your hearts fully to YAHWEH the God of Israel!”
And the people promised Joshua, “We really will worship and serve our God, YAHWEH, and listen to his voice.”
On that day when the people were gathered at Shechem, Joshua made a covenant between them and YAHWEH, which contained laws the people were to obey.
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