יהושע, פרק כ״ד, פסוק א׳

Near the end of his life, Joshua initiates a massive national gathering to forge a renewed, powerful covenant between the people and God. This momentous event is designed to serve as a historical and spiritual anchor, binding the current generation to the deep commitment their ancestors accepted at Mount Sinai.

The primary approach among commentators is that this gathering is actually a second assembly, following an earlier meeting. There are different perspectives on why Joshua needs to bring the nation together yet again. One view suggests that during the first gathering, the people remained silent and offered no response. Unwilling to accept their silence, Joshua calls them back to provoke a clear, explicit answer and force them to actively accept the covenant [אברבנאל]. Alternatively, Joshua experiences a prophetic vision revealing that the nation will eventually stumble into idol worship. Because of this, he gathers them to issue an additional warning, bringing them to a point where they must take direct, personal responsibility for their future [רלב״ג, אלשיך]. Another perspective notes that this repeated gathering serves as an additional rebuke, ensuring the people will remain careful in keeping the Torah [רד״ק].

During the event, Joshua summons the elders, heads, judges, and officers. While the masses of the nation are present at the great assembly, the leadership is called to step forward and stand closely beside Joshua [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another approach views these leaders as standing there as official representatives acting on behalf of the entire nation [מצודת דוד]. The gathering takes place before God, indicating that the Ark of the Covenant is brought specifically to this location so the covenant can be sealed directly in front of it [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל].

The decision to gather the people in Shechem, rather than in Shiloh where the Ark is normally kept, is highly intentional. Choosing Shechem closes a profound historical circle. It is the exact location where Jacob once commanded his sons to remove the foreign gods from among them, which is the very same demand Joshua is about to place before the nation [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Furthermore, Shechem holds deep roots; it is the first place Abraham passed through when he entered the land, the site of a miracle for Jacob, and the first piece of land Jacob purchased in Israel. Therefore, it stands as the most fitting focal point for renewing the covenant and devotion to God [רד״ק].