Joshua 24:25-28 – The Wonder of a Covenant God

These verses may not immediately strike us as being full of wonder. They contain certain expected elements of a covenant renewal ceremony: probably a sacrifice (v25 literally says that Joshua ‘cut’ a covenant with the people); a written document (v26) and a witness (v26, 27). Pagan treaties or agreements of the day summoned their various gods as witnesses. Biblical faith doesn’t recognise these ‘gods’, so the heavens and earth – and even stones – will have to do as witnesses! (See Isaiah 1:2 and Micah 6:2 for examples)

These verses are full of wonder, however! The place this covenant renewal took place is significant. V25 tells us it was at Shechem; v26 refers to “the sanctuary of the LORD”. Our minds are supposed to be drawn back to Gen. 12:6, 7 (have a look at those verses). It was at Shechem that God had issued the first of His covenant promises to Abraham (“To your offspring I will give this land”). Now, about 600 years later, Abraham’s offspring are at ‘Promise Place’ – Shechem – in possession of that land. Truly, none of the LORD’s promises failed (21:45; 23:14).

And yet the greatest wonder is that there is any covenant at all – that such an awesome, amazing God as the One we have seen in Joshua would speak His covenant promise (“I will be your God and you will be my people” e.g. Ex. 6:7; Lev. 26:12) to any people! Especially a people who behave like Israel have at times so far between Exodus and Joshua. In the ancient world, covenant agreements existed between kings and other nations they subjected. Or covenants existed between equals. But where else do we hear of a God who binds Himself by covenant to a people? Only the God of the Bible. Our knees should bend in worship. “Who is a God like you?” (Micah 7:18)