MPV Commentary

2. Joshua addressed all the people, summarizing the key evidence of God's goodness to Israel from Abraham's call to their establishment in the land of promise. This showed them that their national existence and unique privileges were due entirely to God's free grace, not any merit of their own.

Your ancestors lived on the other side of the Euphrates River, specifically at Ur. Terah, Abraham's father, also had a son named Nachor (Genesis 11:27). Although Terah had three sons, only Nahor is mentioned alongside Abraham because the Israelites descended from him through Rebekah and her nieces, Leah and Rachel.

3. I took your ancestor Abraham from the other side of the Euphrates River and led him throughout all the land of Canaan. This was an irresistible impulse of divine grace that prompted the patriarch to leave his country and relatives, becoming a stranger and pilgrim in that land.

4. I gave Esau control over Mount Seir (Genesis 36:8), so he would not be an obstacle for Jacob and his descendants to inherit Canaan exclusively.

12. I sent the hornet before you – likely referring to a particular species of wasp or, figuratively, uncontrollable terror (see Exodus 23:28).

14-28. Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him with sincerity and truth. After listing these grounds for national gratitude, Joshua called on them to publicly declare their commitment to being faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He stated that this was his own unshakeable resolve and urged them to do the same, warning them to remove any foreign gods they may have among them – a requirement suggesting some were suspected of secretly practicing idolatry.

26. Joshua recorded these words in the book of the law of God.