should chiefly seek, for a profitable discharge of their respec- tive offices.]
2. He prescribed the mode of his ordination to it —
[" Set him before Eleazar, and before all the congregation," said the Lord; " and lay thine hand upon him, and give him a charge in their sight, and put some of thine honour upon him ; " that is, invest him now, before thy death, with a part of thine own authority; that all, seeing whom I have chosen, may ac- knowledge him as then* governor, and render a willing obe- dience to his commands. This mode of ordaining Joshua was calculated to answer every end that could be wished. It effec- tually prevented all competition, and strengthened his hands for the arduous employment that was assigned him : and we may well suppose that Joshua would be deeply impressed with these ceremonies, and long retain a remembrance of the charge given him, confirmed as it was by an additional charge from God himself0. Nor is this mode of appointing Joshua unin- structive to us ; for, a similar mode of consecrating persons to divine offices has ever since obtained in the Church of God. The deacons who were first ordained by the Apostles, to superintend the temporal concerns of the Church, were set apart in this wayd: and both priests and elders were afterwards consecrated with nearly the same forms6. And may we not hope that similar effects are still produced on the minds of many at their solemn consecration to the work of the ministry? We have no doubt they are : and, on the Ember-days, which are especially set apart for praying to God in behalf of those who are to be ordained, a still richer blessing would rest upon them ; and the imposition of hands be accompanied with a more abundant communication of the Holy Spirit to their souls f.]
3. He promised him all needful assistance in it —
[It must of necessity be, that in the government of that people many cases would arise, wherein he would need direction from above. Moses had on such occasions enjoyed immediate access to the Deity. But another mode of communication had been fixed by God for all succeeding governors. The Urim and Thummim (which import light and perfection) were in the breast-plate, which was worn by the high-priest; and by means of that breast-plate, God, in some way unknown to us, revealed his will. To Joshua he particularly promised, that he would communicate to him in this way all needful information : so that, whatever difficulties might arise, he should have infallible means of ascertaining the mind of God. Doubtless that method
c Deut. xxxi. 7, 8, 14, 15, 23.
d Acts vi. 3, 6. e 1 Tim. iv. 14. Acts xiv. 23.
f Compare Deut. xxxiv. 9. with 2 Tim. i. 6.