Joshua 24:23 (KJV) says, "Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel."

This verse comes towards the end of the book of Joshua, where Joshua is addressing the people of Israel before his death. In this verse, Joshua is exhorting the people to put away the strange gods among them and to turn their hearts wholly to the Lord God of Israel.

The context of this verse is important to understand its significance. The people of Israel had a history of struggling with idolatry and serving other gods. Throughout their journey in the wilderness and even after entering the promised land, the people often turned away from the one true God and worshipped idols. Now, as Joshua is about to pass away, he is reminding the people of the importance of remaining faithful to the Lord and not allowing any other gods to have a place among them.

One of the key themes of this verse is the concept of exclusive devotion to God. Throughout the Bible, we see the emphasis on the exclusive worship of the one true God. In the Ten Commandments, God commands His people not to have any other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). This verse in Joshua echoes that command, calling the people to put away the strange gods and to incline their hearts solely towards the Lord God of Israel.

The phrase "strange gods" refers to any false deity or idol that the people of Israel might have been tempted to worship. These could have been gods of the surrounding nations or even gods that the Israelites had fashioned for themselves. The idea is that any god other than the one true God is considered "strange" and should not be given any place in the hearts and lives of God's people.

The concept of inclining one's heart to the Lord God of Israel speaks to the internal commitment and allegiance that the people are called to have towards God. It's not just about outward actions, but about the disposition of the heart. The people are to love, obey, and serve God wholeheartedly, without allowing any other competing allegiances to take precedence.

This verse also points to the need for personal and corporate spiritual renewal. The people are being called to a time of reflection and repentance, putting away the things that have come between them and God and turning their hearts back to Him. It's a call for them to recommit themselves to the covenant relationship they have with God and to live in a way that is consistent with that relationship.

Symbolically, the "strange gods" can also be seen as anything in our lives that takes the place of God. It could be material possessions, worldly desires, or any other form of idolatry that we might struggle with. The call to put away these "strange gods" and incline our hearts to the Lord is a timeless message that speaks to believers in every generation.

In conclusion, Joshua 24:23 is a powerful exhortation to exclusive devotion to the Lord God of Israel. It reminds us of the importance of putting away anything that competes with God's rightful place in our hearts and lives, and of the need to continually turn our hearts towards Him. It's a timeless call to spiritual renewal and wholehearted commitment to God, and it's a message that continues to resonate with believers today.