Joshua 24:23

Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.

Joshua 24:23 (KJV)

Context

Joshua spoke these words at Shechem, where he had gathered the tribes of Israel to renew their covenant with God before his death. He had just reviewed God’s faithful acts in their history, from Abraham to their entry into the Promised Land. Now he called them to make a clear choice about whom they would serve. This was not a casual suggestion but a solemn moment of decision for the whole nation.

Meaning

Joshua’s command to “put away the strange gods” shows that some Israelites still held idols from the surrounding nations. These “strange gods” were not the God of Israel, who had revealed Himself to them. The people needed to actively remove these false objects of worship, not merely ignore them. The presence of such idols among them was a serious problem, because it divided their loyalty and dishonored the Lord.

The second command, to “incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel,” points to the inner self. The heart in Scripture often means the center of a person’s will, thoughts, and affections. To incline the heart is to turn it deliberately toward God, so that devotion is not just outward but wholehearted. This inward turn is essential, because external actions alone cannot replace genuine love for God.

Biblical connections

This verse connects the removal of idols with the orientation of the heart toward God. True covenant faithfulness requires both renouncing false worship and turning fully to the one true God. The first commandment also forbids other gods before the Lord (Exodus 20:3-6), and Joshua’s words apply that command to the present moment. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls His people to return to Him with all their heart, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5 and 1 Samuel 7:3. These passages reinforce the same truth: God desires sincere devotion, not mere ritual.

Application

Believers today may not bow to carved images, but anything that takes first place over God can become a “strange god.” Possessions, ambitions, relationships, or even comfort can compete for the loyalty that belongs to Him alone. Joshua’s call challenges each person to examine what holds the heart’s deepest affection. It is easy to let good things become ultimate things, and this requires honest self-examination.

Removing such idols is not a one-time act but a continuing discipline. The heart must be turned again and again toward the Lord, aligning thoughts, desires, and actions with His will. This inward turn leads to outward obedience and a life that honors God. Daily prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship with other believers help keep the heart focused on Him.

Reflection

Joshua’s words invite honest self-examination. What competes with wholehearted devotion to God? The answer may be subtle, but the command is clear: put away what competes, and incline the heart to the Lord. This is both a decisive act and a daily posture of faith. The people responded by affirming their commitment to the Lord (Joshua 24:24-28), and their response reminds readers that covenant relationship carries responsibility. God’s faithfulness calls for a faithful answer. Joshua 24:23 remains a timeless exhortation to remove every rival and to give God the full allegiance of the heart.