Joshua 24:21
“The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve Yahweh.””
What does Joshua 24:21 mean?
The Israelites have just heard Joshua remind them of everything God has done for them, from rescuing them out of Egypt to giving them the land they now possess. When he challenges them to choose whom they'll serve, they respond with wholehearted commitment, rejecting the idea that they'd ever turn back to other gods or the ways they left behind. It's a beautiful moment of collective resolve, though Joshua immediately tests their sincerity by warning them that serving God isn't easy and that He takes their promises seriously. Their "no" means they understand the cost but choose to follow anyway.