XXIII.
JOSHUA’S LAST CHARGE.
(a) To the rulers (Joshua 23).
(b) To the people (Joshua 24 to Joshua 24:25).
(a) To THE RULERS.
(1) JOSHUA WAXED OLD AND STRICKEN IN AGE. — The same expression
employed in Joshua 13:1. It is possible that we ought to translate
thus: “It came to pass, a long time afte... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA CALLED FOR ALL ISRAEL (_i.e.,_ first)... FOR THEIR ELDERS...
HEADS... JUDGES, AND... OFFICERS. — The first “and” in the
English Version of this verse should be omitted.
AND SAID UNTO THEM... — The address which follows should be
contrasted with that in Joshua 24. The first is suited to men o... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I HAVE DIVIDED UNTO YOU BY LOT THESE NATIONS THAT REMAIN. —
Here, as in Joshua 13:1, and afterwards, in Judges 2:23, the
preliminary and partial nature of the conquest achieved by Joshua is
distinctly recognised. He gave Israel the land to possess, and gave
them the vantage-ground from which... [ Continue Reading ]
BE YE THEREFORE VERY COURAGEOUS TO KEEP AND TO DO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN
IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF MOSES. — As Joshua was the servant of the
law himself, so must his successors be. No higher position was
attainable than this. It has been the same with the successors of the
greater Joshua. With them, an... [ Continue Reading ]
COME NOT AMONG THESE NATIONS — i.e., do not mix with them;
literally, _do not go in unto them._ (See on Joshua 13:2, for the
rules to be observed in dealing with the nations.) It must always be
remembered that, in proposing the extermination of the seven nations,
Jehovah reserved to Himself the orde... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN HATH BEEN ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU. — Comp. Joshua 1:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE MAN OF YOU SHALL CHASE A THOUSAND. — See Deuteronomy 28:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
(12,13) IF YE... MAKE MARRIAGES WITH THEM... THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL NO
MORE DRIVE OUT. — The common-sense of this warning is manifest. The
God of Israel cannot treat as His enemies those whom Israel has united
with itself, unless He also makes war on Israel. It was a long time
before Israel learned... [ Continue Reading ]
YE KNOW... THAT NOT ONE THING HATH FAILED. — These words, as well as
the similar statement in Joshua 21:43, show that though the conquest
of Canaan by Joshua was in one way a limited conquest, yet it fully
satisfied the hopes of Israel for the time: _i.e.,_ that they
understood the Divine promises i... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ALL GOOD THINGS ARE COME UPON YOU... SO SHALL... ALL EVIL THINGS.
— Comp. Deuteronomy 8:19, and Deuteronomy 30:17, and Deuteronomy 28
throughout.
The above exhortations are upon matters that lie within the province
of the ruler. The law must be forgotten if the magistrates will not
enforce it. M... [ Continue Reading ]
The resemblance between this verse and an exhortation in Deuteronomy
should be noticed, Joshua 11:16, “Take heed to yourselves, lest...
ye turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; and then the
Lord’s wrath be kindled against you... and ye perish quickly from
off the good land which the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]