Joshua 24:20 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.”

Joshua 24:20

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: {therefore} will we also serve the LORD; for he {is} our God.

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he {is} an holy God; he {is} a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. {holy God: Heb. holy Gods}

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye {are} witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, {We are} witnesses.

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Joshua 24:1

"And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God."

Joshua 24:2

"And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, {even} Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods."

Joshua 24:3

"And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac."

Joshua 24:4

"And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt."

Joshua 24:5

"I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out."

Joshua 24:6

"And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea."

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