Similar to Jacob (Genesis 49:1–33) and Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1 – 33:29), Joshua uses the last days of his life to give a speech of encouragement to God’s people. His aim is to motivate obedience to the Lord and prepare the Israelites for a future without him.1 He has already given one such speech to the leaders of Israel (Joshua 23:1–16), now he will speak to all the people gathered together at Shechem (Joshua 24:1–28).
The final speech of Joshua can be clearly divided into two parts (Joshua 24:1–13 and Joshua 24:14–24) followed by a covenant renewal ceremony (Joshua 24:25–28). Within the book of Joshua, the purpose of this speech and ceremony is to provide a theological definition for the people of God. It has been set up as an occasion which has validity for all Israel through all of time—a call to examine your identity in light of the true identity of God’s people.2
1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God.