PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua
Alfred Plummer [1841-1926] · 388,731 words · 426 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 61
clined, at the suggestion of the tempter, to suspend the laws of nature that He might be fed, who never has suspended those laws in such a manner for the benefit of His creatures, would have suspended them for their slaughter. And while steadfastly maintaining the genuineness and authenticity of the Scriptures, and the…
1,063 wordsSECTION 62The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 62
severe lesson taught by Joshua's invasion seems not to have been without its effect upon the Sidonians and Tyrians, who retained their commercial pre-eminence to a considerably later date.* But the rest of Phcenicia seems gradually to have sunk from that time, and her supremacy in literature and the arts was i1Tecover…
1,179 wordsSECTION 63The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 63
It is still further confirmed by the fact that Gibeon was differently governed from the rest,* as well as by another fact which Movers points out, the.t the Hi,ites were scattered over Palestine. t The term Canaanite is regarded by l\foyers as 1·eferring, not to a genealogical descent, but to the situa.tion of the inh…
1,080 wordsSECTION 64The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 64
nothing need be said here. Those subjects will be found fully discussed in the llot-es. The moral aspect of the invasion has already been considered. It remains only to add that, many as are the memorable conquests on record, conquests whose results have had an abiding influence upon after ages, this one is the most me…
1,054 wordsSECTION 65The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 65
appointed by Moses. No doubt Joshua continued to appoint them during his lifetime. But we hear of no provision for their appointment after his death. Possibly they were appointed by the general assembly of the tribe, but in the rapid disintegration of Jewish institutions which followed, we find their office usurped by …
1,108 wordsSECTION 66The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 66
appointed for crossing. The waters, as usual at the time of barley harvest, bad o,erflowed the banks. The priests bearing the ark dipped their feet in the brim of the water at the point to which the waters had then reached; the course of the river was at once arrested and the Israelites crossed on dry land. Ch. i,. c…
1,090 wordsSECTION 67The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 67
the kings of southern Palestine hastily gathered their forces together, not to attack Joshua, but to reduce Gibeon (eh. x. 1-6). Their plans are dis- concerted by the celerity of Joshua, who, on the receipt of tidings of the attack on Gibeon, falls suddenly upon the allies in the morning, and route them with immens…
1,048 wordsSECTION 68The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 68
Jordan, accompanied by Phinehas, as the representative of the priesthood, to remonstrate (vers. 11-20). They reoeive the unoxpocted reply that, so far from the erection of this altar being significative of au intention to break the law of Moses, it had precisely the contrary object, and was intended to show their deep …
1,025 wordsSECTION 69The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 69
And the eense confession a11pears to be quite a later one. It is only found in Ezra x. 11. The Hiphil of P~' in the sense of setting up, in the 11l11ce of the original meaning, to pour out, is first found in Josh. vii. 28. This use is only found elsewhere in Job, where it frequently means" molten," and thence" hard,"" …
647 wordsSECTION 70The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 70
CHAPTER I. 1--4. quently applied to David. But it Bllite well with the specie.I e.nd peonlilll' mission which JOSHUA'S COMMISSION, - Ver. 1.-Now Moses had above the rest of mankind. He after the death of Moses. The form of was, e.s it were, the household servant of the the Hebrew is the usual historical one for Most …
675 wordsSECTION 71The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 71
wns nhont t.o fight the Amalekites (Num. there twel ,c men out of the people to cl\rry xiii. R, JC,; Dent. xnii. 4.4), into ,Tehosbua, twelve stones over with them, as our Jesus or ,Toshna (either " God shall save," or thence began to choose His twelve npostles, •' Goci's salvati,m "). It is not st1tted in those founda…
1,053 wordsSECTION 72The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 72
on ver. 4), &c. The name Jordan signifies be complete. Not a foot's hrca,lth was lo "Descender," from the verb 11; to de- rest in the ho.nds of its former owners. But ,ccnd. The word fitly describes the head- here, a.s elsew~ere in Holy Writ, we may long cnrrent of the river, which, according mark the way m which man'…
1,031 wordsSECTION 73The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 73
Lebanon, with its lofty peak Hermon, the derh·atiou. Others, however, derive it from highest point in Palestine, is visible from an Aryan source, and regard it as equivo.lent all p1u-ts of the Holy Land, even from the to" the flowing river." This mighty stre11m, depths of the Jordan ..-a.Hey near the Dead especially af…
1,121 wordsSECTION 74The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 74
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-4.-Joshua's Oomnnission. This passage may be viewed under two main aspects: (1) regarding Moses as the type of Christ and Joshua of His ministers; and (2) regarding Joshua as himself the type of Christ. As these points of view suggest two perfectly distinct and independent lines of thought, it is o…
647 wordsSECTION 75The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 75
passnire <langerous; in fact, for the whole multitude, in the fnce of the enemy, unpossible. Yet the hand of God was stretched out, the river dried up, cmd wlmt wonl,l hnw heen a task of the greatest peril to themse!Yes w1ts instead a, source of !<'nor to their adYersaries. So at the outset of great spiritual underte,k…
796 wordsSECTION 76The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 76
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2.--Consolation for bereaved workers. In these words, addressed to Joshua, we ho.ve the most effectual consolation that can be offered to believers, when one has been to.ken away from their midst whose life seemed indispensable to the work and service of God. They a.re words appli…
810 wordsSECTION 77The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 77
but also true, tha,t all your regrets will not restore him to his wonted pla,ce. There is t-0 be no st&ndstill in the kingdom of God. A new lea,der is summoned to the front. Joshua, must succeed to the va,cant post. I. 'We h11,ve A NEW LEADER AND A FRESH START. As if to ma,gnify Joshua, in the eyes of the Israelites, …
855 wordsSECTION 78The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 78
Vers. 1-9.-Josll/Ua the successor of Moses. The very name Joshua, Jesus, " God's salvation," is enough of itself to awaken special interest in the man who, on the page of Scripture, first bears it. It is suggestive at once of the nature of his life-work, and it leads us to anticipate some points of analogy between him …
776 wordsSECTION 79The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 79
calm in danger, brave in battle. Still, as a rule, to "bear the yoke in one's youth" is the hest preparation for the stern struggle of after life. Moreover, the trials and responsibilities of life are graduated. The right discharge of lesser duty qualifies for higher positions of trust. Joshua proved, in the previous e…
1,166 wordsSECTION 80The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 80
HOMILETICS. Ve1·s. 5-9.-The source of Joshua's confidence. I. HE BAD BEEN CHOSEN BY Goo. Moses was dead, and Joshua's heart might well have failed him. For the gi·eat lawgiver had found the task of leading the Israelites from Egypt to the borders of tl10promisedland too much for his strength and spirit (Exod. xviii…
1,219 wordsSECTION 81The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 81
tyrs of the ancient clays, now the stalwart heroes of Puritan times, are gilded with our rever_eut memory; and then rises the pensive thought that" the tender grace of the day that 1s cload" will never return. "As I was with Moees, so will I he with thee." Revere t_he sainUy past, hut recogn_ise the Divine present. The…
1,127 wordsSECTION 82The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 82
Ver. 8.-Thc study of the Bible. Who without secret misgiving could succeed to the position of Moses, that large-hearted, clear-sighted, faithful servant of God? How onrwhebning the anxiety of him who would aspire to be leader of the Israelites; a fickle people who, "like bees about to swarm, were ready to alight on …
1,378 wordsSECTION 83The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 83
n~ay ~dicate the way, ~t can do no more. God is a living Guide ; He has written d1rect10ns and He a1~ls m the pei:formance of them. "No good thing shall foil of all that )ie has pronnsed concerurng us." "Seek first the kingdom of God nnd all other tlnngs shall be, added nut? y_ou." Blessed is the man whose "deli~ht is …
916 wordsSECTION 84The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 84
the two tribes and a he.If who ha.d obtained harnessed in Exod. xiii. 1B, only occurs be- their inheritance beyond Jordan had been sides here in eh. iv. 12, and in Judges vii. given before this, and that therefore it may 11, In the first cited of these passages it have preceded the command given to the has given rise t…
932 wordsSECTION 85The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 85
HOMILETICS. Yers. 10-15.-Joshua's command to the.people. I. ·wE MUST WORK WITH THE GRACE OF Gon. All these promises of God were not int.ended to supersede human effort. God had promised to be with Joshua, but J oslrna must act on the proll?se. He bad promised to plant the people in the Holy Land. hut not without exer…
768 wordsSECTION 86The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 86
I. IN REALITY, NO SECTION OF Gon's PEOPLE CAN LIVE AN ISOLATED LIFE. It would be vain for the Reubenites to clream that they could rest at eaae uncler their vines arnl fig trees. '.rhe clefee.t of their brethren would recoil upon them, ancl should the Cana.anites be victorious the Reubenites would quickly find themselv…
823 wordsSECTION 87The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 87
Judah would have been the first to find its home secure; and Reuben, Gad, and half l\fanasseh would have been the last if they still desired the district of Gilead. It is not the peculiar virtue of the latter that it should be earlier, nor any fault of the former that it should be later. It is due simply to their ente…
799 wordsSECTION 88The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 88
2. Their Bervice reBulted im, the development of a finer brotherhood. Not e. perfect one, as there will be too much occasion to mark, but yet a relationship in which there was on the one hand the genial interest we always take in those we help, a,nd on the other there was the gratitude always felt where service is prom…
800 wordsSECTION 89The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 89
desirPd by these two-and-a-hn,lf tribes on account of its fruitful pasturage. It w&s adapted for flocks and herds, &nd the sight of such fertile territory c&used the owners of much sheep and cattle to be willing to settle down at once, rather than to occupy ~oil in the " land of pr?mise " itself. Their request was not…
1,223 wordsSECTION 90The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 90
HOMILETICS. Ve1·s. 16-18.--,-The people'a answer. Thie passage can only be interpreted of Jesus, of whom Joshua. was the type. Implicit obedience is no longer due to any human leader, nor. has. been since Joshua's death. Even a St. Paul ce.n say, "I spea.k as to wise men, judge ye what I say." (1 Cor.. x. 15). And St.…
715 wordsSECTION 91The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 91
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 16-18.-Loyalty. A demand had been made that the "men of valour" of these tribes should leave their relatives and property in the fenced cities of their inheritance, and head the advance of the Israelites into Canaan. A call to a dangerous position, to bear, as it seemed, the brunt of…
1,205 wordsSECTION 92The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 92
d. Den!. i. 5). It was "the long belt of city of palm trees C•1~J:1:J "111,' in Deut. acaria grows which rne.rk with e. line of xxxiv. 8, 2 Chron. xxviii. 16; cf. Judg. i. 16. ,·ordure the upper terre.ces of the ve.lley." The vast palm grove, of which relics a.re (Stanlcv. ' Sinai and Palestine,' p. 298). even now occa…
1,043 wordsSECTION 93The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 93
then on those of the north. The political entered any other. Even there it did no, condition of Palestine at that time (see escape the notice of the liing, who harl heen Introduction) did not permit of a resist- thoroughly alarmed (ver. j) hy tlie successes ance by the whole force of the country of Israel ea.stwa.rd…
943 wordsSECTION 94The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 94
in the light of the dispensation of the Spirit. either find or raise up friends to His own ·we may take, asan instance of what that tone oauses and scrv&nts?" (Bp. H&ll.) To the of feeling was, even before lsrMl bad been roof of the house. The flat roofs ol Oriental, corrupted by their sojourn in Ero1it, the nar- and e…
1,038 wordsSECTION 95The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 95
the nsne.l language of the Hebrew prophets. seems to be aware that the extermination of Fe.lnt. Literally, melt; cf. Exod. xv. rn, 16, these nations was in fulfilment of a Divine which is thus shown to be not poetic license, sentence. hut sober fa.et. For we may take the future Ver.11.-Melt. The word in the Hebrew in t…
910 wordsSECTION 96The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 96
means. To pray to God for special help or direction, without doing our best to use the means placed within Olli' reach, to exercise our reason, and to see His directing hand in the extemal circllinstances of Olli' lives, is mere fatn,lism. To expect to be freed from besetting sins, to trilm1ph over temptations without …
825 wordsSECTION 97The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 97
about Jehovah ; but ehe recognised His hand in the drying up of the Red Sea 11nd the discomfiture of Silton and Og. Then (c) she seems to have lived up to her light. To be a harlot was no very grievous offence in the eyes of a people who regarded that profession as consecrated to the service of the gods, as was the cas…
831 wordsSECTION 98The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 98
HOMILIES DY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Yer. 1.-Forethou_qht. Let us play a little with this word. It ha,s more in it tha,n n good example for a military commander. And its sfde suggestions as to what is wise in nll conflicts are many and valuable, Generalise the action of Joshua here and its gfres yon some lesson of prndence…
831 wordsSECTION 99The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 99
from our clrea,ms, a,ncl the remote clo.nger from our apprehensions. Wha.t is i=e- clia,tely before him is a wise man's ea.re. Ancl to take each eta.ge as it comes into sight a,nd provide for it is safety ancl wisclom alike. It is the golclen mean between the levity of indifference a.ncl the torture of anxiety. Not too…
855 wordsSECTION 100The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 100
to be co-workers with Him in all pr~tdent for~thought_and ,liligence, We may, per• haps, best develop the moral teachmg of this 11arrat1,·e by kee;ping the conduct of Hahah most prominently in mind. Her honourable distinction 1s that, as far its we know, she alone in all that da.rk. guilty land of Canaan was disposed t…
836 wordsSECTION 101The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 101
III. TUE REWARD OF GENEROUS TRUSTFULNESS. It is remarkable that this Canaanite woman should have had such confidence in the sanctity of a promise and oath (ver. 12). It is sigmficant of eternal principles enshrined in the lieut of man, whic!1 the mo~t degrading conditions cannot wholly obliterate. Note here, not only…
820 wordsSECTION 102The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 102
rarent.ly treated with respect by her people. But applying such considerations t.o mo<'lify the revulsion which every pure mind feels at the name given her, we still cannot avoid feeling that there is a vast gulf between Raho.b as she ho.d been, nnd the Rahab that can say," Jehovah, your God, He is God in heaven above…
1,458 wordsSECTION 103The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 103
Ver. 9.-Rahao·s faith.-Since the time when Moses desp11tched twelve spies to Inspect the land, the fame of the Israelites had spre11d amongst the inhabit11nts of Canaan. They were on their guai·d, and it was necess111-y to act with caution. Joshua sent, therefore, only two men, and that" secretly." The few are sometime…
1,092 wordsSECTION 104The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 104
Rah":b and, the spies. The history of the escape of the Israelitish spies through the 0,ss1Btance of Rahab the harlot, and the reward given her for her services, in the sparing of her life when all her townsfolk perished, is one which presents many moral difficulties. To help the enemies of one's country is an act se…
833 wordsSECTION 105The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 105
Many MSS., however, read "ii tlwuutterest there were e. good many more than this, not.'' The scouts of the king of Jericho might be Ver. 15.-Tben she let them down. The excnsed a very diligent search, for we a.re conversaJion which is related afterwarcls, 110 told that the "foot-bold was hnzardous nnd doubt occurred a…
1,054 wordsSECTION 106The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 106
HOMILETICS. Vers. 12-24.-The oath of the spies, and thevr return to ,Toshua. This passage suggests considerations of various kinds, historical, practical, and allegorical. I. THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE SPIES. They had, no doubt, been specially selected by Joshua for this purpose, and they show themselves worthy of hi…
938 wordsSECTION 107The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 107
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER III. 1---0. " Though they were not told how they should THE co>r>rA..'<D. - Ver. 1.-And Joshua. pass the river, yet they went forward in faith, rose up early ill the mom1ng, i.e., after the having been told (eh. i. 11), that they should return of the spies, and most likely (see eh. pass it" (Matth…
509 wordsSECTION 108The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 108
when the necessity for the injunction ar. their own unaided po~ers could guide them, rived. Nor, we may add, is it necessary to !/1,P,n they most repair to the ark of God. Ruppose that every intimation given by God There they must seek counsel, this they to Joshua is necessarily recorcleJ in chrono- must set befor~ …
1,004 wordsSECTION 109The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 109
honour of God." We me.y learn hence that Ver. 6.-Banctlfy yourselves. The Hith- irre.erent familiarity with se.crcd things is pahel, which is used here, is frequently used not the best way to obtain guide.nee in the of ceremonial purification, as in Exod. xix, way in which God would he.Ye us walk. 22; 1 Chron. xY. 1…
884 wordsSECTION 110The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 110
Habits of industry, punctual e.ttendance to duty, busvness-like habits, as they are called, ara required of every Christian by hiR profession. And it is remarkable that in no other saint of the Old Testament do we find that virtue so conspicuous as in the great captain, who alone among them was privileged to bear th…
854 wordsSECTION 111The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 111
with the '' deep things of God." Those who look upon God's Word as a common book, or Chri~t's sacraments as simpJe symbols, without any mystery about them, e,·en to the fa1thfnl worslnpper, are. hkely to deprive themselves of a very necessary help and guidance in their way through the world. A.we, and .reverence, an…
825 wordsSECTION 112The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 112
their results as they are disastrous in their immediate miseries. Successive inva• EionH of the great monarchies of Persia and Babylon have left little but a lesson on the vanity of human glory, Successive invasions of India ha.ve left their traces chiefly in those caste distinctions, ea.eh step of which tells of a …
872 wordsSECTION 113The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 113
:rou to God nnd _man, would _result in enlnrgement of henrt, ennoblement of pur- 11osc, streng!hemng of conscience,. lt!ld enjoyment of pence. Sometimes the crisis is n tcmpt!ttion, pressmg on il!e spi!·it on every side, nnd by guile, clamour, terrorR, arnl nllmements compellmg its divergence from the path of duty. I n…
915 wordsSECTION 114The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 114
lake. _But there is mo~e importance in our marking the fact ancl its leRsons than in our hemg able to explam the mocle. Does Joshua believe Goel to be the living God? " According to his faith it is Him." And with all Divine energy of love He comes nigh to help them that trust in Him, laws of nature and forces of nature…
801 wordsSECTION 115The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 115
MmACLE. As we,s the c.e,so with tho "J?ighty works" of om· Lortl, these wonders of the Olcl Testament were not wrought simply to e,ssist men in their straits and feeble- ness, hut to exert an ethical influence upon them, teaching the power 0,ml love of God. }; ow that tbe Israelites were about to enter upon their inher…
836 wordsSECTION 116The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 116
.1md m_o.rrio.ge, the birth of children, the acquisition or loss of property, affect prmmr1ly our temporo.l esto.te. But these same results have also a heavenward side • they tell upon the higher life within, and help to work out our eternal destinies'. 'fheir true intention is to develop our higher life, and to est…
773 wordsSECTION 117The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 117
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER III. 7-17. the pillars were not likely (1) to represent themselves as fugitives, and (2) to speak of TrrE PASSAGE OF THE JoRDAN.-Ver. 7.- Joshua as the" son·of Nun." He further re- Thts day will I begin to magnUy thee. marks that, while the oldest genuine Phooni- •• Ncqne rnim nntc myste1ium ba…
926 wordsSECTION 118The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 118
" Before the exoclua the Khcta hrul become a country to which the name of Mizpeh, or the terrible rivals of Egypt, and had mingled watch-tower, seems to have been given, no their genealogy with that of the renowned doubt from its elevation. This must not, Ph11raohH of the nineteeth dyne.Hty" (Tom- however, be confounde…
1,000 wordsSECTION 119The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 119
tion het ween Gergeae. or Gere.so. e.nd the tre.nslate "the l\rk of the covenant, the ark GirgR.shites, there must he.ve been e. small of the Lord of the whole earth." set-tl~mcnt of them on the ea.stern side of Ver. 12.-Take you twelve men. Joshua the lake of Genncse.reth. The Amorttes. commands the election of twe…
992 wordsSECTION 120The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 120
ment, the river wae found to have been hco.p, very far off, at the city AdAm." The fourteen feet 11bove the level 11t which he city Adam is nowhere else mentioned in found it, 11nd it we.a then quite full. Be.rtlett Scripture. The LXX. e.ppears to have read (' Fl'om Egypt to P11lestine,' p. 451) reme.rks, 1tU? ii<? ins…
1,017 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.