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 spoke to all the people and said, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Long ago, your ancestors lived on the other side of the great river, including Terah, who was the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor. And they worshiped other gods.'
God is reminding His people through Joshua that their ancestors, including Abraham's family, once lived far away and worshiped false gods before God called them.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place at Joshua's farewell address to the Israelites at Shechem, near the end of his life after they had conquered and settled in the Promised Land. Joshua is recounting Israel's history, starting with their origins in Mesopotamia (beyond the Euphrates River) where Abraham's family lived in Ur before God called Abraham to leave. This historical review was meant to show God's faithfulness in bringing them from pagan beginnings to their current blessed state.
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