After the death of Moses — Either immediately after it, or when the days of mourning for Moses were expired. Joshua was appointed and declared Moses's successor in the government before this time; and here he receives confirmation from God therein. The servant of the Lord — This title is given to Mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore arise — Let not the withering of the most useful hands be the weakening of ours. When God has work to do, he will either find or make instruments fit to carry it on. Moses the servant is dead; but God the master is not: he lives forever. This Jordan — Which is now near thee, which is t... [ Continue Reading ]
Every place — That is, within the following bounds.... [ Continue Reading ]
This Lebanon — Emphatically, as being the most eminent mountain in Syria, and the northern border of the land: or this which is within thy view. Hittites — Of the Canaanites, who elsewhere are all called Amorites; (Genesis 15:16) and here Hittites, the Hittites being the most considerable and formid... [ Continue Reading ]
With Moses — To assist him against all his enemies, and in all the difficulties of governing this stiff — necked people, which Joshua might justly fear no less than the Canaanites. Forsake thee — I will not leave thee destitute either of inward support, or of outward assistance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Be strong and of a good courage — Joshua, though a person of great courage and resolution, whereof he had given sufficient proof, yet needs these exhortations, partly because his work was great, and difficult, and long, and in a great measure new; partly because he had a very mean opinion of himself... [ Continue Reading ]
Commanded thee — Remember, that though thou art the commander of my people, yet thou art my subject, and obliged to observe all my commands. To the right hand or to the left — That is, in any kind, or upon any pretence; which plainly shews, that God's assistance promised to him and the Israelites, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Out of thy mouth — That is, thou shalt constantly read it, and upon occasion discourse of it, and the sentence which shall come out of thy mouth, shall in all things be given according to this rule. Day and night — That is, diligently study, and upon all occasions consider what is God's will and thy... [ Continue Reading ]
I commanded thee — I whom thou art obliged to obey: I who can carry thee through every thing I put thee upon: I of whose faithfulness and almighty power thou hast had large experience?... [ Continue Reading ]
The officers of the people — These who commanded under Joshua, in their respective tribes and families, attended him for orders, which they were to transmit to the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Prepare you victuals — For although Manna was given them to supply their want of ordinary provisions in the wilderness; yet they were allowed, when they had opportunity, to purchase other provisions, and did so, Deuteronomy 2:6, Deuteronomy 2:28. And now having been some time in the land of the Amor... [ Continue Reading ]
Commanded you — His charge to you, and your promise to him. Rest — That is, a place of rest, as that word signifies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Before their brethren — In the front of all of them; which was but reasonable; because they had the advantage of their brethren, having actually received their portion, which their brethren had only in hope, because they were freed from those impediments which the rest were exposed to, their wives,... [ Continue Reading ]
And they answered — Not the two tribes and an half only, but the officers of all the people, in their name, concurring with the divine appointment, by which Joshua was set over them. Thus must we swear allegiance to our Lord Jesus, as the captain of our salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto thee — The same obedience which we owed, to Moses, we promise unto thee. With Moses — This is not a limitation of their obedience, as if they would not obey him any longer than he was prosperous, but an additional prayer for him. As we have hereby promised thee our obedience, so our prayer shal... [ Continue Reading ]