Joshua 24:5-14 - Now fear the Lord and serve Him

24:5-10

We then get mention of the release from Egypt, and various other events that followed. The mention of Balak and Balaam is significant. Balak called on Balaam to curse Israel, but God would not listen to him, so instead of cursing, he blessed Israel, repeatedly. The other nations may declare curses on Israel, but they would have no effect, because God would not listen. It is God who decides the outcome of events, no one and nothing else.

24:11-13

Finally they crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, which they defeated, and this was followed by various other victories.The earlier events mentioned are ones that the people did not have first hand experience of, but these latter ones they had experienced.

24:14

The deep rooted tendency of all humans to worship idols is highlighted here, with reference to Israel’s ancestors' proclivity for worshipping idols. Joshua urges them to “fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness”. This is like Jesus’ saying the greatest commandment is to worship the Lord with all that we have.  At the same time they are to “throw away the gods of your ancestors”.