And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old [and] stricken in age. Ver. 1. _Joshua waxed old._] And so more fit to give counsel than now to act great exploits, εργα νεων, βουλαι δε γερονων. Howbeit he was w... [ Continue Reading ]
And Joshua called for all Israel, [and] for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old [and] stricken in age: Ver. 2. _I am old and stricken in age._] _Audite senem iuvenes, quem iuvenem senes audierunt,_ said old Augustus to his mu... [ Continue Reading ]
_And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God [is] he that hath fought for you._ Ver. 3. _And ye have seen all that the Lord your God._] Joshua intituleth God to all his conquests so did David, and our Richard I. So have we vanqu... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward. Ver. 4. _With all the nations that I have cut off._] That is, God by my hands, _as _ Jos 23:3 for he it wa... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you. Ver. 5. _And drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess._] The same Hebrew word _Jarash_ here signifieth to p... [ Continue Reading ]
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom [to] the right hand or [to] the left; Ver. 6. _Be ye therefore very courageous._] Get good store of spiritual mettle, which is got by prayer, and maketh a man invi... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: Ver. 7. _That ye come not among these nations._] For if ye once give way to come amongst them and conver... [ Continue Reading ]
_But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day._ Ver. 8. _As ye have done unto this day,_] viz., Since I have had the governance of you, _Vita Principis censura est, imo Cynosura:_ the life of the prince is the loade star of the Commonwealth, _Magnates magnetes; _ good governors... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day._ Ver. 9. _For the Lord hath driven out._] He hath and he will, if you hinder not your own happiness by breach of covenant. _ No man hath been able to s... [ Continue Reading ]
One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Ver. 10. _He it is that fighteth for you._] He who alone is a whole army of men, van and rear, both. Isa 52:12 He who "strengtheneth" and weakeneth "the arm" of either party, Eze... [ Continue Reading ]
Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. Ver. 11. _Take heed therefore unto yourselves._] Heb., To your souls, that chief part of yourselves, the welfare whereof lieth upon it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Ver. 12. _Else, if ye do in any wise go back._] Apostates cannot choose to themselves a worse condition; the... [ Continue Reading ]
Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. Ver. 13. _But... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof. Ver. 14. _An... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. Ver. 15. _So shall the Lord bring upon yo... [ Continue Reading ]
When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. Ver. 16.... [ Continue Reading ]