1._And Joshua rose early, _etc We must remember, as I formerly
explained, that Joshua did not move his camp till the day after the
spies had returned, but that after hearing their report, he gave
orders by the prefects that they should collect their vessels, as
three days after they were to cross th... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And it came to pass after three days, _etc That is, three days
after their departure had been intimated. For they did not halt at the
bank longer than one night. But as the period of three days had
previously been fixed for crossing, and they had no hope of being able
to accomplish it, Joshua now... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Yet there shall be a space, etc _As the younger Levites, whose
province it was to carry the ark, (Numbers 4:15) were strictly
forbidden to touch it, or even to look at it, when uncovered, it is
not wonderful that the common people were not allowed to approach
within a considerable distance of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And Joshua said, _etc Some unwonted manifestation of divine power
in bringing assistance behooved to be held forth, lest the
backwardness arising from hesitancy might produce delay; and yet, in
order that the Israelites might depend on the mere counsel of God,
Joshua does not yet plainly point ou... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And Joshua spoke unto the priests, _etc It is probable that the
priests were informed why God wished the ark to precede, that they
might be more ready to execute the command, for the whole people are
immediately after made acquainted with the intended division of the
waters. As the prefects had f... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Hereby you shall know, _etc He makes the power of the miracle
extend further than to the entrance of the land, and deservedly; for
merely to open up a passage into a hostile territory, from which there
was afterwards no retreat, would have been nothing else than exposure
to death. For either ent... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Behold the ark of the covenant, _etc First he says that the ark of
God will go before; and secondly, he explains for what purpose,
namely, that Jordan may retire from its place, trembling, so to speak,
at the presence of the Lord, as is said in the Psalms. (Psalms 114:0.)
The narrative introduce... [ Continue Reading ]
15._And as they that bare the ark, _etc The valor of the priests in
proceeding boldly beyond the bed into the water itself, was deserving
of no mean praise, since they might have been afraid of being
instantly drowned. For what could they expect on putting in their
feet, but immediately to find a de... [ Continue Reading ]