Some time later, Joshua gathers the tribes of Israel and their leaders at Shechem and speaks to them again (24:1–28). Because of the similarity in subject matter between the two speeches, some consider them merely different reports of the same speech. However, the two speeches likely represent two different occasions. While those present for the first speech are mainly leaders representing all Israel (23:2), 24:1 seems to suggest that all the tribes are also present for the second speech. Moreover, while the first speech seems to be delivered in a less formal setting, with Joshua sharing parting instructions with the nation’s leaders, the second is delivered in the context of a covenant renewal ceremony in which formal responses are demanded and an official memorial is set up.

Two observ…