PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua
Alfred Plummer [1841-1926] · 388,731 words · 426 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 361
then, as in 11,ll other ea.ses, the majority should have the power of ca1·rying out their opiniom. while the minority should have perfect freedom individually to hold and lo propagate theirs. Recognising God and His claims, the policy and laws of R lRnd would be more elevated in their tone. Is the question one of war, …
799 wordsSECTION 362The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 362
dea,I; its form is fixed, a,nd we ca,n determine a,t once how to meet it. But the future is filled with "ma,y-bes" so indefinite and changeful in their form that we oo.nnot settle how to meet or wha,t to do with them. In the case of Israel God covered a,II this darkness with His good words of hope. He would go before t…
858 wordsSECTION 363The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 363
no! ought of any good thing the Lord had spoken. The sea was crossed; the desert had its food RU<l water; llashan we.s subdued; Jordan crossed; the whole land possessed. And all this took place easily, without any hitch whatever, so long as Israel wns willing simply to go on. And from then till now the experience of th…
804 wordsSECTION 364The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 364
procln,iming the truth in the midst of foes n,nd persecutors. But rest is not idleness, 011rn11l en,se. 'fhe Israelites he.d still their proper work to do. But they were not to1·mented by the constant need to tmnsport themselves their wives and children n,nd tbefr be.gge.ge, to 11 different residence. The Christian has…
837 wordsSECTION 365The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 365
test their strength, the pledged word and omnipotence of God, nnd all yom· frigilt 'lvill Yanish. (4) It ,'s eve?· seasonable to recoi·d with gratitude the fulfilment of G?d's promius. If we only acted upon tilis statement in proportion to Olll' con- sc1011sness nf its trutil, there would oftene1· issue from our compla…
818 wordsSECTION 366The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 366
&noes, but of substantio.l anil enduring reality. " The things that are seen are temporal," &c. If there is fixity in the principles that govern the outer, how much more in those that govern the inner, life of man. Our earthly existence is a reRtless ebb nml flow of circumstance anil feeling. No two human histories, no…
1,075 wordsSECTION 367The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 367
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER XXII. 1-34. Ma.na.sseh. Some cities read t:1:lrt' here for ill/!~, and as the tribe is spok~~ of in 11 ,er. 1.-The B.enbeDites and the Gadltec. political and not in a genealogical point of According to the Hebrew idiom, these e.re view; the reading, as fe.r as internal con- in the original in the…
576 wordsSECTION 368The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 368
contrast to Lhe rest ol the history of Isre.el, not end there. The best proof of love is our save with the idea ol exalting the cha.racier conduct towards the person loved. II love ol his hero. But there is no attempt fo set be genuine, it is the practical principle Joshua above Moses, or o.ny other ,Jewish whic~ produ…
1,001 wordsSECTION 369The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 369
general purport. belongs t0 God. A Hchl'ew conditions. Dr. Hutchinson replies (Qu1\l'- writer, we ure r<1mindt.'d in tlie 'Speaker's tcrly Paper, Jan. 187G) that the altar is Commentary,' does not quote 01·refer to whet ste.te,l by Josephus to have been on the cast has been already stntcd. If it i• nece•sary side of Jo…
1,019 wordsSECTION 370The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 370
Hero, however, it means "toward., the region Unless, therefore, we are to conclude that opposite to the sons of Israel," i.e., in the all this history, in spite of its nature.I and direction of the country on the other side life-like character, was entirely the invention Jordnn. The country 11cross Jordan was of later …
987 wordsSECTION 371The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 371
scribe. m•h "nd savage by nature? And ingratitude and rlesertion of God was even the "circumspect and mild Elohist," equiV1tlent to rebellion, the term used iln- or a member of the Peitee Society itsel!, , mediately afterwards. The embassy clearly might venture to describe it gittbering which, ' assumed that the fau…
988 wordsSECTION 372The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 372
How mo.rvellously ingenious, if it he not I far to abandon the land, how suited to The circumsto.nce is mentioned o.g&in in their circumstances soever it migiit be, and Hosea, in the time ol Jotham or Hezekiah, come across the Jordan, a.nd dwell in the o.nd ago.in in Psa. cvi., which woulcl a.ppel\r mi,lst of their bre…
997 wordsSECTION 373The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 373
pe.nding, end suggesting the m&nifold ways God. To man, " spare us " would have in whioh El the mighty one displayed His been said. greatness, es the source of e.ll power, mental, Ver. 23.-Let the Lord himself require lt. moral, nnd phYsical, in heaven and in earth. 0 Or, the Lo,·d, He shall e.~act, i.r., the Then…
970 wordsSECTION 374The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 374
Ver. 26. -Let us now preps.re to build us Rpirit bas been wont to inflame men's e.n e.lte.r. Literally, let us make now to minds in later times, so that they desirer! b11ilcl tu "' an altar. Burnt offering, nor rather victory over a snpposed antagonist for se.crl.flce. In the " burnt oJicring " the than the discovery t…
965 wordsSECTION 375The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 375
HOMILETICS. Yers. 1-34.--Rrnben and Gad amd the halj-trwe of Manasseh at home. Three points are especially noticeable in this chapter. First, the reward of those who ban htboured 011 behalf of their brethren; next, the duty of claiming our privileges as Christians when severed from om- brethren; and lastly, the necess…
811 wordsSECTION 376The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 376
ese0nti0,l which is. not II contained in Scripture, or may be proved thereby," we must ~lt~o the mnmte_nance o_f th: recognised truths of Christianity a, sine qua non. The spmt nbrond winch mnmtams tlrnt no tencher should be removed from hiH post for nny considerntion whntAOever, is a,s opposed to truth aR that which w…
990 wordsSECTION 377The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 377
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Yer. 30.-A misu-11.de1·standing. Rarely do we find such au insto,uoe of miscon• ception as is here recounted. The two and a ho,lf tribes, whose territory lay to the ·1rnst of Jordo,n, had act,ed with the highest honour. During the five or six years occupied in the conquest of their land, t…
1,244 wordsSECTION 378The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 378
Vers. l--4.-Service and reward. I. THE SERVICE. This is characterised by the following points of merit : 1. Obedience to discipline. The two tribes and_ the half tribe are co=ended for obedience to their supreme commanders. Soldiers, servants, employes, all persons under authority, shoul~l recognise the_ cluty of lo~·a…
1,100 wordsSECTION 379The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 379
Ve\'"· 1-U.-We have soon the Henbenites ancl GacliteA generonRly taking their part m_ the W£Lr for the conquest_ of Canaan, though they hacl already come into possess10n themselves of their assigned share on the other sicle of .J orclan. In this way the aolid£Lrity of the nation was vinclicatecl. Joshua now sencls back…
970 wordsSECTION 380The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 380
Yer. 21-34: Th~ Reubenites and Gad!tes easily vindicate their conduct. They Im. Ye had no mtent10n of settmg up a nvo,l o,ltar, for they do not mean to offer auy sncrifices except in the place appointed by God. Their altar is to be simply a memo1fal. They hoxe built it under a sort of apprehension that possibly in time…
662 wordsSECTION 381The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 381
nllll nccopt.ed ns_ n menns of discipline to humble UR and drive us to the sympathy of Go~ (1 Cor. 1v. 3). (3) A refuge from the misunderstanding of men may be found m the knowlc,lgc and sympathy of God. The suspected tribes appeal to the "Lo1·d God of gods," who knows everything. When men misjudge, God sees the trnth…
830 wordsSECTION 382The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 382
dnnger. The nltitr was built chiefly for the sake of the children of the futme. 'fhe Church c,m on!~- be m1tint,1tined by bringing the chihlren into the places of the Plders as these pass away. Children do not become Clnistittus instinctiYely, or by the influence of the mere atmosphere of religion about them; they m…
823 wordsSECTION 383The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 383
(yer. 2/i) is the choiceAt treaRure which children can inherit, and apart from it nches d~ not prove_ n, bleBsin~. Religion and prosperity eventnally go hand in lmnd. Statesmen, 1f wrne, will seek to establish the tl,rone in riahteousnesR. Their aim will be that religion slrnll flourish in the land, not necessarily by …
1,196 wordsSECTION 384The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 384
Yer. 31.-God's presence manifested in the faithful conduct of His people. I. Goo IS PRESENT IN THE ll4IDST OF HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE. By the nature of things, God is present everywhere (Psa. cxxxi.x. 7-10). Yet there is a more intimate and revealed presence of God which is not universal, but which is the peculiar priYileg…
1,248 wordsSECTION 385The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 385
~hat is bronght again~t them, but they meet it ~vith no angry recrimination. There 1s sm·pnse, but notlnng hke resentment. Tins, perhaps, not only quenche(l the RIT(rn· of rebnkc. but turned it back upon the source from whence it came. " Innocence cloth make false accusation blush,'' and the guilelessness of their bear…
806 wordsSECTION 386The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 386
will be their portion. He emphasize• !,is book at this early periocl, end that it was worcls by reminding tbom how amply God known "" the Book of the Law of ;\Joses. hi1<l fulfillecl his promise, and conclude• with It seems incredible that such a book shord,I 11 picture of the evil wbich will befo.11 them have been …
967 wordsSECTION 387The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 387
this speech of Joshua. Aud we often, iu Vulgatc. In your aldea. Rather, 011 your times of fRintheRitedncss or sloth, need to sides. 'l'be words here are very similar to be thus reminded of the moral and spiritual tho~c in Num. xxxiii. 65. Moses, however, ,ictories of t,he true Israel, under the true does but use two of…
1,146 wordsSECTION 388The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 388
HOMILETICS. Ver. 1-16.-The last words of the aged servant of God. The influence gained by a long and successful life is immense. It was so in J osbua's case, for it outlasted his life, and continued as long as any of his former colleagues and companions in arms were alive. It was only when a fresh generation arose who…
623 wordsSECTION 389The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 389
0111;ht from it:., :ma we know wlrn,t Christ thought of those who "taught for dort.ri11es the romnrnnclments of men." Yet there has been in all ages a spiritual rharisaism which has turned aside to the right, as there has been a Sadduceeism which has turned to the left. E,-ery age has had its teachers who added to the …
1,222 wordsSECTION 390The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 390
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 6-8.-Cleaving unto the Lord. I. THE DUTY. (1) Personal devotion. God seeks the devotion of our hearts. It is inward and spiritual, and not merely a fact of visible conduct. It implies drawing near to Goel in prayer, walking "ith God, delighting in Him, seeking to be like Him, aiming …
1,218 wordsSECTION 391The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 391
I. 'l'!'!E NATURE OF LOVE TO Goo. (1) It has all the qualities of genuine love. (a) It rn personal. We _love_ God in loving goodness and all things Godlike; but the perfect love of God unphes a personal relation between our soul and His. We love Him as our Father. (b) It ie seen in the delight we have in God the attrac…
849 wordsSECTION 392The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 392
heed." &C'. The rurpo~e of most addresses is to strike a note of warning, to put men on the alert to guard against some danger. Oux sleepy senses get so steeped in forg-elfnlness tluit there is constant need of the pealiup: alnrrn, "Tnke heed I " I. THE DIPORTANCE OF THE CAUTION. (1) It directs attention to the cenfre…
841 wordsSECTION 393The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 393
'.'Yedid run well''? Le~ hi.story Rhed its beacon-light athwart the waves, remirnl- mg us of _the rocks,. and_ b1ddmg 1;1s remain in the calm open sea of the love of Go,!. (41 Cm~aider the nalc incur_red in neglr:cting the ailm·iee of the text. Folly is in pro_p?rt1on to t]1e hazard winch neglect 1?volvee. Scripture wi…
836 wordsSECTION 394The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 394
must n<?eds be that when we are brought into personal contact with Him, made personally the recipients of His bounty, then we understand Him better, appreciate more the w1n111th of he1tvenly rays than when we hear the testimony of others, or behold the sunlight flashing upon them from the throne of God. But what shall …
850 wordsSECTION 395The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 395
no.tions from before you; but they sho.11 be snares o.nd traps unto you and scourcres in your sides, a.nil thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this go~d land which the Lord your God hath given you" (vers. 12, 13). The punishment threatened has this notable characteristic-that it is to come by means of those v…
817 wordsSECTION 396The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 396
nssurnncc of his faith, 1tre facts worthy of the study of e.ery one of us. Consider a few fen( nres of this farewell, n,nd obser'l'e- I. H1"; . GRACES ENDUR•, T? THE END, Bodily vigour lee.'\'es e'l'en his stalwrirt frame. l\ enous energy begms to flag even with him. The mind loses elasticity an_d keenness. But_ hi…
971 wordsSECTION 397The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 397
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER XXIV. 1-28. 17 ; xi. 11 ; xx. 1 (cf. ver. 27) ; 1 Sam. vii. 5). See, however,Judg. xxi. 12, as we_ll as THE LAST RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT. Josh. xxi. 2; xxn. 12. Some add1t1onal -Ver. 1.-To Bhechem. The LXX. and probability is given to this view by the fa.et the Are.hie version read Shiloh here, e…
1,689 wordsSECTION 398The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 398
the city of the moon-god, lends ilself most cannot be e.ccoanted for on the supposition no.turally to the fobricator of myths. There that our author was ii;norant of them, for is only one objection to tbo theory, and that we have ample proof that the Book of is the bricks, still in existence, st1>mped Joshn11 was co…
931 wordsSECTION 399The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 399
darro. but as he fearr,~ to employ temporal seek. Joshua was quoting the )\l-ophecies W<>epons lw easay<>cl to try spiritual ones in of Moses mentioned above. The two k1np th<>ir stead. Bnt even these were turned of the Amorites. Sihon and Og, 1vho were against him. The curse of God's prophet driven out, beside the tri…
985 wordsSECTION 400The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 400
be pertnaneut. The be•t teBt of sincerity is This remark presnpposes the miraculous not rtlways the open hostility of foes, for passage of the Red Sea and the ,Jorrlan, and this very often braces up the energies to the other great miracles recorder! in the combat, while o.t the so.me time it makes books of MoRes and…
966 wordsSECTION 401The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 401
wits to declare flt once God's righteousness J1tmes i. 17, any more th1tn our expression, end His forgiwness. Yet none the less did the sun is in the east or in the west, con. ,ToslrnR do his dut:r, end stro'l'e to br1tce up flicts with Rcieuce. St. James is speaking the Israelites to theirs, not by disguising of God a…
996 wordsSECTION 402The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 402
served among lhem in such a way e.s to The practice of engraving inscriptions, pro- be likely to leo.d them into temptation. The clo.malions, and the like, on tablets wo.s history of Micah in Judg, xvii. 5 is o. proof extremely common in the East. We he.ve of this, and it musl be remembered that instances of ii in the …
973 wordsSECTION 403The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 403
bintli. So the LXX. (see note on ver. 1). so long Rud so well. Around him rtre the The tree, no doubt. under which Jacob hRd ancient memories of his race. Here Abrn.- hid \,he teraphim of his household. This ham pitched his tent in hie wanderinge was cl<'Rrly one of the ren,sons for which through Cannan. Here was th…
862 wordsSECTION 404The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 404
each one of us for himself has to cross the flood ancl put himself in covenant with Christ, it is because our Heacl has Himself troclclen the same nath. Born in " the likeness of sinful flesh," as the representative of sinners not yet fully reconc1lecl to His Father," macle sin," not for Himself, but for us, He dwelt "…
789 wordsSECTION 405The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 405
gathering of the Israelites may remind us of the purposes for which we assemble ever)" Lord's day. We come- I. To MAKE SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF OURSEL'l'ES BEFORE Goo. Alwe.ys in the presence of the Almighty, yet do we on such occasions "draw nigh" to Him. The ,rnrld. with its cares and temptations, is for a season exc…
841 wordsSECTION 406The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 406
Vera. 14, 15.-A rightful choice urged. The most solemn engagement we can make is to bind ourselves to be the servants of Jehovah. Such a bond not even ?eath dissolves, it is entered into for eternity. 'fhere e.re periods, however, when i~ becomes ~s to ronder t~10 meaning of the covenant, and to renew onr protesta- tio…
830 wordsSECTION 407The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 407
thr,1ne must be considered as God's enemy. Multitudes think that if they a,re not found openly opposing religion there is naught to be complained of in their a,ttitmle 1111d conduct,. Herein they are terribly at fault. "He that is not with Me is a,ga,inst llfr." 'I110se who a,dyanee not to the help of the Lord are trea…
865 wordsSECTION 408The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 408
Apecial application in the gospel economy, in which everything is made to depencl upon th_e birth. !'f~t only should the covenant with God be concluded by each new genera.tion of Clmetrnne, but 1t needs to be ratified by every individtrnl for himself ap~rt. ~2) "~hey pr~sent~d ~hemeelvee before God," it _is said, on…
1,090 wordsSECTION 409The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 409
Ver. 14.-The call to God's service. I. THE CALL, (1) It is a direct appeal. Religion is prn,ctical, and preaching must be practical. We must not be satis- fied with the exposition of truth. We must aim at persuasion such as shall affect the conduct of men. For this purpose there is room for direct exhortation, Men are …
675 wordsSECTION 410The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 410
V_ers_. 2, 3.-Abrahann the heathen. "Your fathers . . . served other gods,'' is an mmdental statement of the utmost value. It throws a light on Abraham's antecedents in which we do not always see them, and enhances the significance of his abandonment of home and country, and his clear faith in a living God, in a degree…
718 wordsSECTION 411The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 411
How little had Abraham to begin with I But, using whnt he had, it grew more, nud was enough to do more for him than light a thousand times as clear does for somo ()f us to-day. A man who has light upon his next step of duty bas really nn "abundance of rnelation." Do not go in for beiug omniscient, postponing all obecli…
811 wordsSECTION 412The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 412
to it, to-morrow will be always moving in e. different direction from to-rlay, will lose ~lrnt to-clay has ~on. An aim permits life to be cumulative, e.lways gathering richer force, fullor Joys-alwa;rs ~ompleting ancl rounding off its conquesfa. ,J oshuo. here asstrmes_tlint n pl~n of hfe 1s essential to the proper pur…
863 wordsSECTION 413The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 413
Yers. 14-16.-The grand. choice. Joshua's words derive added force from the historic nssociations of the place in which he utter~d them. Shechem_ was not only ~ scene of great natura) beauty, but one arou1;1d winch lingered memones peculiarly m harmony with the cmmmstances of the trme. Here Abl'ltham first pitched his t…
812 wordsSECTION 414The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 414
IV. IT 18 A CDOIOE ENCOURAGED BY NOBLE PERSONAL EXAMPLES. "As for me and my house," &c. Here is an example (1) of manly resolution, (2) of the strength that ca,n dare to stand a,lone, (8) of family piety directed by paternal authority and influence. 8~ch an exa,mple has an inspiring effect above that of mere persuasive…
948 wordsSECTION 415The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 415
Yer. rn.-Thc d(tficulti~s of God's se1·vicc. l. THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN THE SERVICE OF Goo. All are freely il1vited to serve God ; all may find ready access to God; there i~ no need for d_elay, all may co1;11e at once and without waiting to be worthy of Him ; after commg through Chnst, the yoke is easy and the burden…
1,085 wordsSECTION 416The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 416
Vers. 19-21.-A strict master. Great as was Joshua's anxiety that the Israelites should renew their covenant with the Almighty, he would not secure this end by concealing the rigorous natura of the service it involved. Instead of accepting immediately the people's ready response (ver. 18) to his appeal, he proceeded to …
441 wordsSECTION 417The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 417
tion. He is not content with an inferior shRre of affection, He must be loved a,nd eeTTed with Rll our strength. "He t.Jmt loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of l\Ie.'· The trne disciple is ready to forsake all nnd follow Christ The will 0f the Lord is for him law, his only inquiry being, " Lord, wha…
998 wordsSECTION 418The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 418
CHAPTER XXIV. 29-33. tomb it is supposed to be (see Quart. Paper, Oct. 1873). In later papers, however (see JOSHUA'S DEATH AND BURIAL.-Ver. 29. Oct. 1877, and Jan. 1878), Lieutenant -The servant of the Lord. The theory Conder abandons Tibneh for Kefr Haris, of some •commentators, that this expres- on the ground that …
712 wordsSECTION 419The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 419
the encmies of God are amazed and con- and most probably did take place, as soon e.a found0d at the greot things God has done. Shechem was in the hands of Israel. In 11 The successes. so clearh· due to the inter- pa.reel of ground Rather, in the 1>0,-tion oj position of R Higher Po;•er, haYe a sobering the .field (s…
1,007 wordsSECTION 420The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 420
HOMILETICS. /ere. 29-88.-The en~ of the work. We now reach the conclusion of the ,a.native. Like every other biography, it ends with death. Well were it for us all If death came at the conclusion of a well-spent life like J oshua'e. I. A GOOD MAN'S END. We read in the Book of the Revelation, " Blessed are the dead w…
732 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.