XXII. DISMISSAL OF THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES TO THEIR INHERITANCE ON THE EAST OF JORDAN. (1-6) Charge to the two and a half tribes by Joshua. The words of Joshua 22:2 recall the promise of Joshua 1:16, and Joshua’s charge in Joshua 22:5 recalls that which he himself had received at first (Joshua 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Joshua blesses the half tribe of Manasseh that dwelt on the west of Jordan. (7) WHEN JOSHUA SENT THEM AWAY ALSO UNTO THEIR TENTS, THEN HE BLESSED THEM. — It is noteworthy that of all the tribes of Israel who followed Joshua, and remained with him, this half tribe alone is mentioned as receiving a sp... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BORDERS OF JORDAN, THAT ARE IN THE LAND OF CANAAN. — As far as these words go, the site of the altar _might_ be either east or west of Jordan; but it seems to be more probable that it was on the east bank. And thus the phrase above would be a reminder of the very thing the altar was intended to... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE BUILT AN ALTAR. — Rather, _have built the altar._ As appears by Joshua 22:28, it was a representation of the altar of Jehovah: a copy of the one altar which He had given to Israel for sacrifice. The design was to set up on the east of Jordan a likeness of that altar which was established on the... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GO UP TO WAR AGAINST THEM. — There is no more striking proof of Israel’s obedience to the law and veneration for it in the days of Joshua than this. A single altar to Jehovah, besides the one in Shiloh. is sufficient cause for _war_ against the builders of it. But see what is the language of the... [ Continue Reading ]
PHINEHAS... AND (14) TEN PRINCES. — According to the constitution established by Moses, a government by _priests and judges._ Phinehas in particular was well suited to the office of “defender of the faith” (see Numbers 25).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INIQUITY OF PEOR. — A very natural subject for reference on the part of Phinehas, who had distinguished himself by his zealous opposition to it.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE LAND OF YOUR POSSESSION BE UNCLEAN. — This suggests that they might have built the altar in it to sanctify it. But it would hardly be intelligible unless the altar was, as we supposed, on the eastern side.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT MAN PERISHED NOT ALONE. — His whole household was exterminated. (See on Joshua 7:24.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ALTAR. — Rather, _the altar._ It was not _an_ altar (Joshua 22:23), but _the_ altar, _i.e.,_ the pattern or copy of the altar of Jehovah, to prove that the two and a half tribes had the same right to approach Him as all the rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE NO PART IN THE LORD. — Something of the kind was insinuated in the abuse of the Gileadites by the men of Ephraim (Judges 12:4), when they said, “Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.” That taunt cost the Ephraimites the lives of 42,000 men. T... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ALTAR OF THE LORD, WHICH OUR FATHERS MADE, NOT FOR BURNT OFFERINGS, NOR FOR SACRIFICES. — The words suggest the reflection that there are many other “altars” so called in the present day, also an occasion of dispute; and it would tend greatly to peace and acquiescence in their existence if we co... [ Continue Reading ]
We PERCEIVE THAT THE LORD IS AMONG US, BECAUSE YE HAVE NOT COMMITTED THIS TRESPASS... — The best token of the Divine presence _among_ men is the Divine likeness and holiness _in_ men. “if we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie... but if we walk in the light, we have fe... [ Continue Reading ]
DID NOT INTEND — _i.e.,_ they decided not (Heb. _they did not say to go up against them_)_. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE LORD (_i.e.,_ Jehovah) is God (of all the twelve tribes alike).... [ Continue Reading ]