_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._ We have here the sin of Achan in taking the accursed thing, Joshua 7:1. The defeat of Israel before Ai, Joshua 7:2. Joshua's humiliation and prayer, Joshua 7:6. God's directions to him, Joshua 7:10. The discovery, conviction, and execution of the criminal, Joshua 7:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the children of Israel_ That is, one of them. It is a usual form of speech in the Holy Scriptures, to ascribe that to many indefinitely, which properly belonged only to one or two of the same body or society. Thus (Mat 26:8) we find that to be ascribed to all the disciples which was done by Jud... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go up and view the country_ They were not to go into the city of Ai, but into the country belonging to it, that they might understand the state of the place and people. _Let two or three thousand go up and smite Ai_ There was no little self-confidence and presumption in this counsel: Ai, it appears... [ Continue Reading ]
_They fled before the men of Ai_ Not having courage, it seems, to strike a stroke, a plain evidence that God had forsaken them, and an instructive event, to show them what they were when God left them; that they did not gain their victories by their own valour, but that it was God that gave the Cana... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of Ai smote thirty-six men_ A dear-bought victory to them, whereby Israel was awakened and reformed, and they hardened to their own ruin. _They smote them in the going down_ That is, till they came to the plains of Jericho, Ai standing upon a hill. _The hearts of the people melted, and beca... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joshua rent his clothes_ In testimony of great sorrow for the loss felt, the consequent mischief feared, and the sin which he suspected. The outward marks of sorrow exhibited on this occasion by Joshua and the elders, are well known to have been usually shown in those ages when people were affl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore hast thou brought this people over Jordan?_ In this and the two following verses, Joshua shows the infirmity of human nature, and how apt even pious men are to forego their trust in God, and to think of him and his actions according to their own weakness. Because three thousand men had fl... [ Continue Reading ]
_What shall I say?_ In answer to the reproaches of our insulting enemies? _When Israel_ God's people, which he hath singled out of all nations for his own. _Turneth their backs_ Unable to make any resistance. _What wilt thou do unto thy great name?_ Which will upon this occasion be blasphemed, and c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore liest thou upon thy face?_ This business is not to be done by inactive supplication, but by vigorous endeavours for reformation. _Israel hath sinned_ Some or one of them. _They have transgressed my covenant_ That is, broken the conditions of my covenant, which they promised to perform, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctify yourselves_ Not only wash your clothes and give yourselves up to religious exercises, meditation, and prayer, as you were required to do formerly, when called to meet the Lord at Sinai, (see Exodus 19:10,) and lately, when you were about to be led over Jordan, (Joshua 3:5,) but purify your... [ Continue Reading ]
_The tribe which the Lord taketh_ Which shall be declared guilty by the lot, which is disposed by the Lord, (Proverbs 16:33,) and which was to be cast in the Lord's presence before the ark. Of such use of lots, see 1Sa 14:41; 1 Samuel 14:52; Jonah 1:7; Acts 1:26. _Shall be burnt with fire_ As person... [ Continue Reading ]
_The family_ Either, 1st, The tribe or people, as the word family sometimes signifies; or, 2d, The families, as Joshua 7:14, the singular number being put for the plural, the chief of each of their five families, Numbers 26:20. _Man by man_ Not every individual person, as is evident from Joshua 7:18... [ Continue Reading ]
_Achan was taken_ Here we learn that, however secretly we may conceal our wickedness, yet God knoweth it, and sooner or later will bring it to light and due condemnation. _There is nothing secret which shall not be made manifest, neither any thing hid that shall not be known. God will bring to light... [ Continue Reading ]
_My son_ So he calls him, to show that this severe inquisition and sentence did not proceed from any hatred to his person, which he loved as a father doth his son, and as a prince ought to do each of his subjects. _Give glory to the Lord God of Israel_ As thou hast highly dishonoured him, now take t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Indeed I have sinned_ He seems to make a sincere and ingenuous confession, and loads his sin with all just aggravations. _Against the Lord_ Against his express command, and glorious attributes. _God of Israel_ The true God, who hath chosen me and all Israel to be the people of his peculiar love and... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I saw a goodly Babylonish garment_ Such garments were composed with great art, of divers colours, and of great price, as appears both from the Scriptures and from heathen authors. _Two hundred shekels_ Not in coin, but in weight; for as yet they received and paid money by weight. _When I saw_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joshua sent messengers_ That the truth of his confession might be unquestionable, which some, peradventure, might think was forced from him. _And they ran_ Partly longing to free themselves and all the people from all the curse under which they lay; and partly, that none of Achan's relations might... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his sons and his daughters_ It is very probable, Achan being an old man, that his children were grown up, and the things which he had stolen being buried in the midst of his tent, it is likely they were conscious of the fact, as the Jewish doctors affirm they were; and if they were not accompli... [ Continue Reading ]
_They burned them with fire after they had stoned them_ God would have their dead carcasses burned, to show his utmost detestation of such persons as break forth into sins of such public scandal and mischief. _A great heap of stones_ As a monument of the sin and judgment here mentioned, that others... [ Continue Reading ]