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 ]