The 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" (Matthew Henry). i. 10, 11) on the morning on which the an- Ver. 2.-The olllcers. LXX., ypaµµarE,~ nouncement was made to the children of (see eh. i. 10). Tbis is evidently the history Israel that they were to cross the Jordan. of the fulfilment of the co=and there given •· This newes is brought but o.-er-night, by J oshoa. There he orders the officers to Joshua is on his way by morning, and pre- pass through the host ; here the co=and wnts the sunne for haste. Delays, whether is fulfilled. There is no reasonable doubt in t:!:ie business of God or our owne, that the spies had returned before the order a1c hateful] and prejudiciall. Many a recorded in eh. i. 10 had been given. Many 0:10 loses the land of promise by linger- co=entators have raised objections to the ing ; if ,-;e neglect God's time, it is just order of the narrative in this and in the fol- "ith Him to crosse us in ours " (Bp. lowing chapter; and commentators like Hou- Hall). And they removed from Shitt1m. bigant, Masius (who says, "Narrationis ordo Literally, from the acacia., (see note on eh. admodum perturbatus "), and Bishop Hors- ii. 1). To do this completely, and to be ley, have suggested a different order of the quite ready for the crossing, ,-;ould, asiRosen- verses. But Delitzsch has observed that the miiller thinks, require the greater part narrative is drawn up in a threefold order. of three days. But it adds that " they First, the commencement of the crossing is detailed, from vcrs. 7-17 of this chapter; lodged (i's) tbere before they passed over." then (eh. iv. 1-14), its further progress; But this need be no difficulty. The great lastly (eh. iv. 15-24), its conclusion. And ruass of the people could easily lea ,·e the in each separate paragraph we have (1) atacia meado,-;s on the higher ground, and God's command to Joshua; (2) Joshua.'s encamp on the brink of the Jordan, while command to ihe people; and (3) their ful- the remaining two days might be spent in filment of hia command. Thus tl:e Divine making the necessary arrangements for the command, the human leadership, and the crossing. For we must remember (as Keil measures taken in obedience to that leader- oLservesJ that, not only a body of armed ship are kept in close connection throughout. men, but their women and children, and all We need not suppose (he adds) that each their possessions, had to be led safely across. separate act was enjoined at the moment  OH. III. 1-6.] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. 43