SEV Biblia, Chapter 24:20
Si dejaréis al SEÑOR y sirviereis a dioses ajenos, se volverá, y os maltratará, y os consumirá, después que os ha hecho bien.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. If you forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods , etc.] Joshua knew the proneness of this people to idolatry, and therefore expresses his jealousy of them, that they would not be able to continue in the service of God, and would be apt to be carried away after idols; and therefore, to make them the more cautious and watchful, he represents to them the danger they were in, and what would befall them should they forsake the Lord they now promised to serve, and follow after other gods, which their fathers worshipped before they were called out of their estate of Heathenism, or which the Canaanites, or Egyptians worshipped, whose examples they were too ready to imitate: then he will turn and do you hurt ; not that there is properly any change in God, either of his counsel or covenant, or of love and affection to his people, but of his providential dealings, or outward manner of acting towards men; or the sense is, he will again do you hurt, bring evils and calamities upon you again and again, frequently as you revolt from him, such as the sword, pestilence, famine, and captivity, which these people after experienced when they fell into idolatry: and consume you ; by these his sore judgments: after that he hath done you good ; by bringing you into such a good land, and bestowing so many good things upon you, natural, civil, and religious; and yet, notwithstanding, being disobedient to him, and especially in the instances mentioned, they are made to expect his resentment, and the effects of it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-28 - It is essential that the service of God's people be performed with willing mind. For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring. The Father seeks only such to worship him, as worship him in spirit and in truth. The carnal mind of man is enmity against God, therefore, is not capable of such spiritual worship. Hence the necessity of being born again. But numbers rest in mere forms, as tasks imposed upon them. Joshua puts them to their choice; but not as if it were indifferent whether they served God of not. Choose you whom ye will serve, now the matter is laid plainl before you. He resolves to do this, whatever others did. Those that ar bound for heaven, must be willing to swim against the stream. They mus not do as the most do, but as the best do. And no one can behav himself as he ought in any station, who does not deeply consider his religious duties in family relations. The Israelites agree with Joshua being influenced by the example of a man who had been so great blessing to them; We also will serve the Lord. See how much good grea men do, by their influence, if zealous in religion. Joshua brings the to express full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord. They must com off from all confidence in their own sufficiency, else their purpose would be in vain. The service of God being made their deliberat choice, Joshua binds them to it by a solemn covenant. He set up monument of it. In this affecting manner Joshua took his last leave of them; if they perished, their blood would be upon their own heads Though the house of God, the Lord's table, and even the walls and tree before which we have uttered our solemn purposes of serving him, woul bear witness against us if we deny him, yet we may trust in him, tha he will put his fear into our hearts, that we shall not depart from him. God alone can give grace, yet he blesses our endeavours to engag men to his service.
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 תעזבו 5800 את 853 יהוה 3068 ועבדתם 5647 אלהי 430 נכר 5236 ושׁב 7725 והרע 7489 לכם וכלה 3615 אתכם 853 אחרי 310 אשׁר 834 היטיב׃ 3190
