CHAPTER III _The Israelitish camp removes frown Shittim to Jordan_, 1. _The officers inform them how they are to pass the river, and the_ _distance they are to keep from the ark_, 2 4. _Joshua directs the people_, 5, 6; _and the Lord gives directions to Joshua_, 7, 8. _He delivers the Lord's m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:2. _AFTER THREE DAYS_] These three days are probably to be thus understood: As soon as Joshua took the command of the army, he sent the spies to ascertain the state of Jericho; as we have seen Joshua 1:12. They returned at the end of three days, or rather on the third day, and made th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:4. _ABOUT TWO THOUSAND CUBITS_] This distance they were to keep, 1. For the greater respect, because the presence of the ark was the symbol and pledge of the Divine presence. 2. That the ark, which was to be their _pilot_ over these waters, might be the more _conspicuous_ which it c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:5. _SANCTIFY YOURSELVES_] What was implied in this command we are not informed; but it is likely that it was the same as that given by Moses, Exodus 19:10-2. They were to wash themselves and their garments, and abstain from every thing that might indispose their minds from a profitabl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:6. _SPAKE UNTO THE PRIESTS, SAYING, TAKE UP THE ARK_] It is remarkable that the _priests_, not the _Levites_, whose ordinary business it was were employed to carry the ark on this occasion. Calmet conjectures that this was because it was probably carried _without being wrapped up in i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:7. _THIS DAY WILL I BEGIN TO MAGNIFY THEE_] By making him the instrument in this miraculous passage, he did him honour and gave him high credit in the sight of the people: hence his authority was established, and obedience to him as their leader fully secured. What must have confirmed... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:8. _YE SHALL STAND STILL IN JORDAN._] The priests proceeded first with the ark, and entered into the bed of the river the course of which was immediately arrested, the waters collecting _above_ the place where the priests stood, while the stream fell off towards the Dead Sea; so that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:10. _HEREBY YE SHALL KNOW THAT THE LIVING GOD IS AMONG YOU_] The Israelites were apt to be discouraged, and to faint at even the _appearance_ of danger; it was necessary, therefore, that they should have the fullest assurance of the presence and assistance of God in the important ente... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:12. _TAKE YOU TWELVE MEN_] Joshua 4:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:15. _AND THE FEET OF THE PRIESTS - WERE DIPPED IN THE BRIM OF_ _THE WATER_] Thus we find that every thing occurred exactly in the way in which Joshua had foretold it. This must have greatly increased his credit among the people. _FOR JORDAN OVERFLOWETH ALL HIS BANKS, C._] It has oft... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:16. _ROSE UP UPON A HEAP_] That is, they continued to accumulate, filling up the whole of the channel toward the source, and the adjacent ground over which they were now spread, to a much greater depth, the power of God giving a contrary direction to the current. We need not suppose t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 3:17. _THE PRIESTS - STOOD FIRM ON DRY GROUND_] They stood in the mid channel, and shifted not their position till the camp, consisting of nearly 600,000 effective men, besides women, children, c., had passed over. 1. Is it not surprising that the Canaanites did not dispute this passa... [ Continue Reading ]