SEV Biblia, Chapter 24:21
El pueblo entonces dijo a Josué: No, antes al SEÑOR serviremos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 24:21
Verse 21. And the people said-Nay; but we will serve, &c.] So they understood the words of Joshua to imply no moral impossibility on their side: and had they earnestly sought the gracious assistance of God, they would have continued steady in his covenant.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, nay , etc.] We will not serve strange gods: but we will serve the Lord ; according to his revealed will, and him only.
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
ויאמר 559 העם 5971 אל 413 יהושׁע 3091 לא 3808 כי 3588 את 853 יהוה 3068 נעבד׃ 5647
