JOSHUA’S COMMISSION (Joshua 1:1). (1) AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES... THE LORD SPAKE UNTO JOSHUA... MOSES’ MINISTER. — Joshua’s commission was the first of its kind, but not the last. No man before Joshua had received orders to regulate his conduct by the words of a written book. Abraham and his househo... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY PLACE THAT THE SOLE OF YOUR FOOT SHALL TREAD UPON, THAT HAVE I GIVEN UNTO YOU. — The conquest of Canaan was the special duty assigned to Joshua by the word of Moses. (Hence the order for the extermination of Amalek was written for Joshua [Exodus 17:14] as the representative conqueror, though h... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE LAND OF THE HITTITES. — The name Hittites may be used here to represent all the Canaanites; but it seems better to understand the land of the Hittites of the northern districts in which Hamath and Carchemish were situated — between Palestine proper and the Euphrates; but compare Note on Judg... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE. — Compare Genesis 28:15. And consider Hebrews 13:5 as a combination of the two Old Testament passages. (6,7) BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE... THAT THOU MAYEST OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THE LAW. — This command to “be strong,” repeated again and again to... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT... THEN THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAY PROSPEROUS. — These words are taken up again in Psalms 1:2, and a blessing is pronounced on _every_ man who takes Joshua’s position in relation to the written law of God (see Note, Joshua 1:1). Thus the true significance of Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA’S FIRST ORDERS (Joshua 1:10). (10) THEN JOSHUA COMMANDED THE OFFICERS OF THE PEOPLE. — Joshua’s first orders to the people were to prepare for the passage of Jordan within three days. We may compare this event, in its relation to Joshua, with the giving of the law from Sinai to Moses. Both we... [ Continue Reading ]
PREPARE YOU VICTUALS. — The question may be asked, what preparation is intended, since they had the manna, which did not cease until several days after they passed the Jordan. But it does not seem possible to assign any other meaning to the word except that of provision for a journey or for a warlik... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE REUBENITES, AND TO THE GADITES, AND TO HALF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH, SPAKE JOSHUA. — The reference to Numbers 32 explains this order. We have only to observe that these two tribes and a half were not forbidden to leave a sufficient number of their fighting men to protect their homes and familie... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH GIVEN YOU REST. — Observe this phrase. as applied to the settlement of Israel in the land of promise, on either side of Jordan. Those who condemn the two and a half tribes (or the persons whom they suppose to be spiritually represented by them) for not going far enough, should notice that on bo... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ANSWERED JOSHUA, SAYING, ALL THAT THOU COMMANDEST US WE WILL DO. — This promise of obedience may be taken as the reply of the whole people to Joshua’s orders, not that of the two and a half tribes alone. It is remarkable that they repeat to him the words of Jehovah, as most appropriate in their... [ Continue Reading ]