CHAPTER XXIII _Joshua, being old, calls for the rulers and different heads of_ _the Israelites_, 1, 2, _to whom he relates how God had put them in possession of the_ _promised land_, 3, 4; _from which all their remaining enemies should be expelled_, 5. _Exhorts them to be faithful to God, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:2. _JOSHUA CALLED FOR ALL ISRAEL_] There are four degrees of civil distinction mentioned here: 1. זקנים zekenim, the _elders_ or _senate_, the PRINCES of the _tribes_. 2. ראשים rashim or _rashey aboth_, the CHIEFS or HEADS of _families_. 3. שפטים shophetim, the JUDGES who interpre... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:3. _FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD_ IS _HE THAT HATH FOUGHT FOR YOU._] There is much both of _piety_ and _modesty_ in this address. It was natural for the Israelites to look on their veteran, worn-out general, who had led them on from conquest to conquest, with profound respect; and to be rea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:4. _I HAVE DIVIDED - THESE NATIONS THAT REMAIN_] The whole of the promised land had been portioned out, as well those parts which had not yet been conquered, as those from which the ancient inhabitants had been expelled. The Canaanitish armies had long ago been broken in pieces, so t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:5. _AND DRIVE THEM - OUT - AND YE SHALL POSSESS_] The same Hebrew word ירש _yarash_ is used here to signify to _expel from an_ _inheritance_, and to _succeed_ those thus expelled. _Ye shall_ disinherit _them from your sight, and ye shall_ inherit _their land_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:6. _BE YE THEREFORE VERY COURAGEOUS TO KEEP AND TO DO, C._] It requires no small courage to keep a sound _creed_ in the midst of _scoffers_, and not less to maintain a godly _practice_ among the _profane_ and _profligate_. _THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK_] By the word of God alone his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:7. _COME NOT AMONG THESE NATIONS_] Have no civil or social contracts with them, (see Joshua 23:12), as these will infallibly lead to _spiritual_ affinities, in consequence of which ye will make honourable _mention of the name of their gods, swear by them_ as the judges of your motiv... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:10. _ONE MAN OF YOU SHALL CHASE A THOUSAND_] Do not remain inactive on the supposition that you must be much more numerous before you can drive out your enemies, for it is the Lord that shall drive out nations great and strong; and under his direction and influence _one of you shall... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:11. _TAKE GOOD HEED - UNTO YOURSELVES THAT YE LOVE THE LORD_] לנפשתיכם _lenaphshotheychem, Take heed_ TO YOUR SOULS, literally; but נפש _nephesh_ and [Arabic] _nefs_, both in _Hebrew_ and _Arabic_, signify the _whole self_, as well as _soul_ and _life_; both soul and body must be joi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:12. _ELSE IF YE DO - GO BACK_] The soldier who draws back when going to meet the enemy, forfeits his life. These were the Lord's soldiers, and if they drew back they drew back unto _perdition_, their lives being forfeited by their infidelity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:13. _THEY SHALL BE SNARES_] לפח _lephach_, a _net_ or _gin,_ set by the artful fowler to catch heedless birds. _AND TRAPS_] מוקש _mokesh_, any snare, toil, or trap, placed on the ground to catch the unwary traveller or wild beast by the foot. _SCOURGES IN YOUR SIDES, AND THORNS IN... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:14. _THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH_] I am about to die; I am going into the grave. _NOT ONE THING HATH FAILED, C._] God had so remarkably and literally fulfilled his promises, that not one of his enemies could state that even the smallest of them had not had its most literal accomplishme... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:15. _SO SHALL THE LORD BRING UPON YOU ALL EVIL THINGS_] His faithfulness in fulfilling his _promises_ is a proof that he will as faithfully accomplish his _threatenings_, for the veracity of God is equally pledged for both.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 23:16. _YE SHALL PERISH QUICKLY FROM OFF THE GOOD LAND_] The following note from Mr. John Trapp is very judicious: "This judgment Joshua inculcates Joshua 23:13; Joshua 23:15, and here, because he knew it would be a very grievous thing to them to forego so goodly a land, so lately gotte... [ Continue Reading ]