Definition: And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: [therefore] will we also serve the LORD; for he [is] our God.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 24:18. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising passage! Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is about divine sovereignty and the future of Israel. It talks about shifting away from being ruled by foreign powers – specifically, the Amorites – and turning to God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD drave out from before us all the people…” : This means that the Lord actively removed or driven out the Amorites (and other foreign peoples) from the land. It wasn’t a passive situation; the Lord was taking action to protect Israel. “…even the Amorites which dwelt in the land:” This specifies which people were being removed. It's not just any Amorite group, but those who had been living in the land – meaning they were considered part of the Israelites’ territory. “[therefore] will we also serve the LORD; for he [is] our God.” : This is the key part. The verse emphasizes that now , after this removal, Israel must serve God. It's not enough to just survive; they need to worship and recognize His authority. The word "serve" means to obey and follow God’s will. So, what does it mean in a nutshell? It’s saying that as a result of God’s power, Israel is now being entrusted to Him. They are no longer reliant on foreign rulers; they need to submit to God's leadership and worship Him as the ultimate authority. It’s a shift from being governed by others to being guided by God. Why was this verse important in Joshua’s time? Joshua was leading Israel through a period of exile, with the Amorites controlling much of the land. This verse was a powerful statement about God's control and protection. It signaled that Israel needed to be firmly rooted in God's presence and dedicated to following His will for their future. In short: The verse tells us that after the Amorites were removed, we are now obligated to worship God and obey His commands, recognizing Him as our ultimate authority. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or teachings?