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.
Joshua said to the people, 'You cannot serve the LORD, because he is a holy God. He is a jealous God who will not overlook your wrongdoings and sins.'
Joshua is warning the people that serving God requires complete commitment because God is holy and won't tolerate divided loyalty or ongoing sin.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs at the end of Joshua's life as he addresses the Israelites at Shechem, challenging them to choose between serving God or the foreign gods of surrounding nations. Joshua is testing their commitment by emphasizing the serious nature of their covenant with God. This was a pivotal moment as Israel was settling in the Promised Land and facing the temptation to adopt the religious practices of their pagan neighbors.
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