1._Then Joshua called the Reubenites, _etc Here is related the
discharge of the two tribes and half-tribe, who had followed the rest
of the people, not that they might acquire anything for themselves,
but that, as they had already obtained dwellings and lands without
lot, they might carry on war in... [ Continue Reading ]
5._But take diligent heed, _etc He thus releases and frees them from
temporary service, that he may bind them for ever to the authority of
the one true God. He therefore permits them to return home, but on the
condition that wherever they may be they are to be the soldiers of
God; and he at the same... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Return with much riches_, etc As it was formerly seen that the
greater part of the two tribes were left in their territories beyond
the Jordan, when the others passed over to carry on the war, it was
fair that, as they had lived in case with their families, or been only
occupied with domestic con... [ Continue Reading ]
10._And when they came unto the borders, _etc The history here is
particularly deserving of notice, when the two tribes and half-tribe,
intending to erect a memorial of common faith and fraternal concord,
allowed themselves from inconsiderate zeal to adopt a method which was
justly suspected by thei... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And the children of Israel heard say, _etc There is no doubt that
they were inflamed with holy zeal, nor ought their vehemence to seem
excessive in taking up arms to destroy their countrymen on account of
a pile of stones. For they truly and wisely judged that the lawful
sanctuary of God was pol... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Thus says the whole congregation, _etc Just as if it had been
known that this second altar was opposed to the one only altar of God,
they begin with upbraiding them, and that in a very harsh and severe
manner. They thus assume it as confessed, that the two tribes had
built the altar with a view... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us? _etc They represent the
crime as more heinous, from their perverse obstinacy in not ceasing
ever and anon to provoke the Lord by their abominations. They bring
forward one signal example of recent occurrence. While they were
encircling the sanctuary of... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Then the children of Reuben, _etc The state of the case turns on
the definition. For the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, explain
that they had a different intention, and thus exculpate themselves
from the charge, inasmuch as the nature of the proceeding was quite
different from what the o... [ Continue Reading ]
26._Therefore we said, _etc The gross impiety of which they had been
accused was now well refuted; and yet they seem not to have been in
every respect free from blame, because the Law forbids the erection of
any kind of statues. It is easy, however, to excuse this by saying,
that no kind of statues... [ Continue Reading ]
30._And when Phinehas the priest, _etc Phinehas and the ambassadors
rightly temper their zeal, when, instead of harshly insisting and
urging the prejudice which they had conceived, they blandly and
willingly admit the excuse. Many persons, if once offended and
exasperated by any matter, cannot be ap... [ Continue Reading ]