II. A MEANS OF INSTRUCTION FOR THEIR CHILDREN. "When your children shall ask their fathers," &c. A glimpse here of the simplicity a.nd sanctity of domestic relations which was so important a feature of ancient Hebrew life. The authority of the father over his children almost absolute and unlimited. Something terrible in its despotism, if it had not been modified and softened by certain provisions defining pa.rental duty. Instruction io the sacred traditions of the nation, its memories and hopes-an obligation continually enforced (see Exod. xii. 26, 27; xiii. 14; Deut. vi. 7-20, et seq.). 1. The l,eauty and worth of a spirit of inquiry in children. It is natural for the child to ask questions. A boundless realm of mystery lies all around the awakening mind, and an irresistible instinct moves it to inquire, "Why these things ? ,,11at mean ye by these services ? " The contact of mind with mind is needful in order to development, and of whom sl10uld the children ask, but of "their fathern, '' for the solution of the problems that perplex them ? The most not!Lble chapter, the only recorded chapter, in the early development of Jesus is tha.t scene in which we behold Him in the temple, "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions." 2. The generous, sympathetic response this spirit of inquiry should meet with, 'Ko tender sensibility of childhood is to be suppressed, least of all any tha.t may lead to the discovery of truth. The inquisitiveness of the child is a precious faculty that demands to be rightly directed. The indifference of many parents to the stirrings of the spirit of inquiry in their children arises from selfish indolence, and is a cruel wrong. No doubt children will often ask questions which the wisest cannot answer, but at least let the difficulty be frankly confessed; let the ground and reason of it be defined in a way a.dapted to the young intelligence. The very disappoint- ment then becomes a means of Divine instruction. The higher interests of our being--the laws of God's government, the revelations of His love, the workings of His Providence and Spirit-Jet these especially be unfolded. What nobler office can any parent peiform than to mediate between the mind of his child an~ the mystery of the Unseen-to lift up the veil that hides God's glory, to explam and justify His ways, to be the medium of His truth and Spirit to the young inquiring soul? 3. The practical result at which all instruction should aim. "That ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.'' The miracle, the memorial, the teaching, all find here their ultima,te issue. All subordinate purposes muet lead on to thill-the Gil. v. 1-!J.] THE BOOK OF .JOSHUA. 77
showing forth of God's glory, o.nd the submission of His intelligent creatures to Him in reverence o.nd godly fear. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter" &c. (Eccles. xii. 18). -W. '
Ver. 18.-The passage of Jordan the symbol of death. The passage of Jordan n,s the necessary way of entrance into the lo.nd of promise has always been regarded rte symbolic of the death of the Christian. The same causes which allowed the children of Israel to cross the stream without being buried in its waters, operate in the case of the believ'.ng soul, to enable him also to pass through the deep water• floods without being overflowed by them. These causes may be described as threefold. J. THE PASSAGE OF THE JORDAN WAS EFFECTED AT THE TIME APPOINTED RY GoD. It was in obedience to the command of God that Israel crossed the river, so is it also with our death. It is determined by God. To Him belong the times and seasons. Hence we can in all confidence commit our way to Him and our spirit into His hands. II. GOD GRANTED SPECIAL AID TO Hrs PEOPLE IN THIS HOUR OF TRIAL. This He promises to us al.so when we are called to pass through the deep waters. " When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee." And David, full of this confidence, exclaims, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me" (Pea. xxiii 4). III. ISRAEL SEES AT ITS HEAD A GUIDE CHOSEN OF Gon, WHO GOES BEFORE IT IN THIS DANGEROUS PASSAGE. We also have our Divine Joshua, who has passed through the river of death before us; that mighty Saviour, who " died for our sins and rose again for our justification" (1 Cor. i. 1). He will bring us safely to Him- self on that blessed shore, whither He is gone before. How heartening is the sweet song of Vinet: "Quand le bruit des f!ots, !'aspect et le rivage, Nous diront, 6 Jourdain, nos travaux vont cesser; J csus nous recevra triomphants et lasses Pres de ces compag,ions d'exil et d'heritage, Quine sont pas perdus, mais nous ont devances." "When the rush of Jordan's waters breaking on the shore Tells the struggling, fainting pilgrim toil is nearly o'er; Jesus ready to receive him, brothers gone before, Welcome him with songs of triumph, • Home for evermore I' " E.DEP.
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER V. 1-9. take. Until we were paseed over. The Masorites, in the Keri, have correcte,l the THE c1ncu11101s10N.-Ver. 1.-Wbich were text (Chethibh) into "until they were passed on the eide of Jordan westward. A large over." Kennicott states that tbis reading is portion of the territory of the Amorites confirmed by twenty-seven Hebrew MSS., hnd, as we have eeen (eh. ill. 10), been which have probably adopted the reading already conquered. The remaining tribes from the Masoretic correction. The LX..'{. on the other side Jordan were apprehensive accepts the Chethibh. The probability, of the same fa.ta. For " on the side," the however, is that this is one of the ma.ny original h11s "across." H11ving hitherto instances of a conjectural emecdation of a. written of Israel as on the eastern side of difficult passage, it not having been seen Jordan, he continues the same expression that the historian was either quoting a. after he b11s narrated the crossing. But document contemporary with the events writing as he did on the west side of Jor- described. or more probably using the word d11n, and for readers the vast majority of to identify himself as an Israelite with the whom were on the west side of Jordan, he acts of his fathers in past times. This is adds the expression " westward " (literally, the opinion of Rabbi David Kimchi. Knobel Meaward) to prevent any possibility of mis- refers to Paa. !xvi. 6. See also ver. 6 of 78 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [011. v. 1-0.