Definition: And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 24:31. It’s a really important part of understanding how God worked with Israel during the time of Joshua. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “Israel served the LORD all the days of the leaders who came after Joshua and knew everything He had done for them.” Let's unpack that a bit: "Joshua 24:31" : This is a specific passage from the Book of Joshua. It’s a record of what happened after Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land. “And Israel served the LORD all the days…” – This means that for a long period, Israel continued to obey and worship God, even after Joshua died. It wasn't just for a short time; they stayed faithful. “…all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua…” : “Elder” in this context refers to the leaders who had been with Joshua and were still alive when he passed away. This includes people like Samuel, Saul, David, and many others. “Overlived” means they lived a long time. "...and which had known all the works of the LORD…" : This is key! It means these leaders knew everything God had done for Israel – their victories, their laws, their blessings, and how He worked in their lives. They remembered all the amazing things He had accomplished. So, what’s the big takeaway? It's a statement about God’s faithfulness to his promises. He didn’t just give them land; He gave them everything – the ability to live in it, follow His laws, and experience His blessings. And those leaders were responsible for remembering all of that. Think of it like this: God had a plan for Israel, and those leaders were tasked with keeping that plan alive by learning from it and carrying on his work. Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail, or perhaps explore the context of this verse within the larger story of the Old Testament?