CONTENTS
We are now arrived to the end of Joshua's history. This chapter contains the finishing of his sermon, and the finishing of his life together. He dies, as he had lived, in the act of praising God, and most earnestly and affectionately entreating the Israelites to the love and obedience of the Lord. The chapter closes also with an account of the death of Eleazar, and of the removal of Joseph's bones.
Whether this be a continuation of the same sermon, as in the preceding chapter, or whether it be another discourse, is not certain. As the former declared that he was that day going the way of all the earth, it should seem to have been intended as his farewell discourse. But it is possible that this might have been delivered at another time. However this point is not so interesting to determine. The subject of this and the former is one and the same. Both were preached to proclaim God's glory; and this is the leading point which runs through both. It was in Shechem, not in Shiloh, Joshua delivered his farewell sermon; for this was nearer his home. And this is the more remarkable, because this was the memorable spot where the visions of God began with Abraham. Genesis 12:6-7.