The book of Joshua concludes with yet another covenant ceremony - - this one at the ancient shrine of Shechem. But unlike the covenant renewal in which the Israelites had participated earlier (Joshua 8:30-35), Joshua is not concerned with the people hearing and promising to obey every jot and tittle of the Law. Now, near the end of his life of leadership and service, Joshua desires to hear a much more basic commitment from his people.

Chapter 24 opens by carefully locating this event at Shechem. The setting is important, for it was at Shechem that Jacob ordered all the "foreign gods" (handily portable stone idols) harbored by members of his household to be "put away" (see Genesis 35:1-4). The confiscated stones were then buried under the oak at Shechem.

Joshua is speaking to a selected a…