What does Joshua 24:7 mean?

Joshua 24:7 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season."

This verse is part of Joshua's final address to the Israelites, as they are about to enter the Promised Land. Throughout the book of Joshua, we see the faithfulness and power of God on display, and in this particular verse, Joshua is recounting the miraculous events that transpired during the exodus from Egypt. The verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, as well as a call to the Israelites to remain faithful to Him as they enter the land He has promised to them.

The context of Joshua 24:7 is deeply rooted in the history of the Israelites. It refers back to the events of the exodus, when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and led them through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. The verse specifically mentions the parting of the Red Sea, when God put darkness between the Israelites and the pursuing Egyptians, allowing the Israelites to safely pass through the sea on dry ground while drowning the Egyptian army in the process.

This event holds immense significance for the Israelites, as it demonstrated God's power and faithfulness in a tangible and undeniable way. It was a definitive moment when God intervened on behalf of His people and displayed His sovereignty over the forces of nature and the enemies of Israel. Therefore, the mention of this event in Joshua's address serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Furthermore, the symbolism present in Joshua 24:7 is multi-layered. The darkness that God put between the Israelites and the Egyptians serves as a symbol of God's protection and deliverance. It represents the separation between the people of God and their enemies, and the overwhelming power of God to thwart the plans of those who oppose Him. The covering of the sea over the Egyptians symbolizes God's judgment and the consequences of opposing Him, while also symbolizing the way in which God made a way for His people where there seemed to be no way.

The mention of dwelling in the wilderness for a long season also serves as a symbol of the testing and refining of the Israelites' faith. The wilderness was a place of hardship and difficulty, where the Israelites faced various challenges and temptations. However, it was also a place where God provided for them and revealed His presence in a tangible way. Therefore, the wilderness serves as a symbol of the refining and preparation that God orchestrates in the lives of His people before bringing them into their promised blessings.

In light of these themes and symbolism, Joshua 24:7 carries a message that is relevant and powerful for believers today. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, and a call to remain faithful and obedient to Him in the face of opposition and challenges. It encourages believers to trust in God's protection and deliverance, even in the midst of darkness and difficulty, and to recognize His sovereignty over all circumstances. It also calls believers to endure in faith and obedience amidst the trials and testing that may come their way, knowing that God is preparing them for the blessings He has promised. Therefore, Joshua 24:7 is a powerful and timeless reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, and an exhortation to remain faithful and obedient to Him.

Artwork for Joshua 24:7

Joshua 24:7 - "And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season."

"And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season." - Joshua 24:7

Joshua 7:24 - "And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor."

Joshua 24:24 - "And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey."

Joshua 24:21 - "And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:12

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 24:12

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:28 - "So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance."

Joshua 24:25 - "So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem."

Joshua 15:24 - "Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,"

Joshua 24:31 - "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."

Joshua 24:26 - "¶ And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD."

Joshua 24:29 - "¶ And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old."

"And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey." - Joshua 24:24

Joshua 24:1 - "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God."

Joshua 24:30 the location of mountains

Joshua 24:22 - "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses."

Joshua 18:24 - "And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:"

"And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:21

Joshua 12:24 - "The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one."

Joshua 2:24 - "And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us."

"Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth," - Joshua 15:24

Joshua 24:19 - "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins."

Joshua 7:16 - "¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:"