The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 273

See note on chap. xii. 5, of which this pas, Keil asserts, signify fi,·e in any place in Holy sage is little else but a repetition. Writ, but it is used of the shewbread in Yer. 12.--0iants. See note on eh. xii. 4. Levit. xxiv. 7, 9, It thus cnme to mean any Yer. 14.-0nly unto the tribe of Levi. sacrifice, whether offered by fire or not. And See Num. xviii. 20-24, where the original thus the tenth which (Num. xviii. 21, 23, command is recorded. Like the clergy 24) was given to the Levites, ns being under the Christian dispensation, it was offered for God's service, might be reckoned seen that they could not at once perform as in some sense a sacrifice. With this the duties of the priesthood, and act as passage we may compare various passages instruct.ors of the people, if they were bur- in the New Testament, where, in this re- dened, like the rest, with the duty of carry- spect at least, tlie Christian ministry stands ing on war. Their place was supplied by the on the same footinu: (1 Cor. ix. 11, 13 ; dinsion of the tril:.e of Joseph intu two, so Gal. vi. 6, 7). Thus the maintenance of the that the inheritance of Israel was still di- Christian mmistry is a kind of sacrifice-as nded nmong twelve tribes. Bahr, in his we find such deeds called, in fact, in Heb. ' Symbolik des Al ten Testaments,' ii. 48, 49, xiii. 16. And an order of men who are set gives other reasons for the dispersion of the apart to the ministry of souls has a right to Lentes throughout the land. If the Levites claim a sufficient maintenance at the hands of were to keep the Law and Word of God, to those to whom they minister-a point which ta.ke measures for its being properly kept by in these days of affluence and clerical desti- the nation in general, to spread abroad a tution combined ought to be more largely knowledge of the precepts of the religion recognised than it is (see Num. xvili. of Israel, to stir up the tribes to a devout 20-24). "For the law is entrusted to the and religious life, it was not merely desir- priests and Levites, and they devote their able, but absolutely necessary, that they tmergies to this alone, and without any should be scattered among the tribes. On anxiety are able to give their time to the the other hand, to secure a proper esprit de Word of God. But that they may be able to corps, a mutual sustaining in.ftuence, and a do this, they ought to depend upon the common action, too complete a dispersion support of the laity. For if the laity do not would have been a mistake. Hence their allow the priests and Levites all the neces- collection into the Levities.I cities, which, saries of life, they would be obliged to engage howe'l'er (see note on eh. xxi. 11), were not themselves in temporal occupations, and given up wholly to them. The Divine would thus have less time for the law of wisdom which dictated the provisions of God. Ani when they had no time to spare the Mosaic law is clearly visible here. The for the study of God's Jaw, it is thou who instinct of the Christian Church in early wouldst be in danger. For the light of times densed a similar provision for the knowledge that is in them would grow dim, e'l'angelisation of the people in the organi- because thou bast given no oil for the lamp, sation of the ancient and medimval cathe- and through thy fault it would come to drals. As he sa.id unto them. This pass, what the Lord said, ' If the blind lead quotation of Kum. xviii. 20, 24 by a later the blind, shall they not both fall into the writer would, under all ordinary circum- ditch?'" (Orig., Hom. 17 on Joshua). These 'ttances, be regarded as a proof that the Book words are well worthy of attention now, of Joshua was quoting one of the books of when a multiplicity of worldly business and Moses. But the "Elohistic" and "Jebo- a weight of worldly cares. are devolved upon 'l'istic" theory escapes this conclusion in the God's ministers by a Jai ty which bas to cumbrous fashion to which reference bas too great an extent washed its bands of all been already made. Origen regards this pas- co-operation in the work of God's Church. sage as symbolical of the more spiritually Ver. 15.-Reuben. Thi11 passage is an earnest among the laity, who" so excel others expansion of Num. xxxii. 33--42. We learn in virtue of mind and grace of merits, as that from it that the Israelites actually took the Lord should be called their inheritance." possession of this land. But in the reigns of "How very rare," he says, "are those who the wicked kings Omri and Ahab the power devote themselves to wiadom and knowledge of Israel declined, and after the battle of and preserve tlieir mind clear and pure, and Ramoth-Gilead, a.nd the defeat and death of exercise their minds in all excellent virtues, Ahab, the Moabites succeeded in she.king who illuminate the way wherein they walk off the Israelitisb yoke, and in wresting from for simpler souls by the grace of learning, Israel moreover a considerable portion of and thus attain to salvation. They are the the territory of Bihon. In t~e next rejgn true priests and Levites, whose inheritance an attempt was made to regam possess10n is the Lord, who is wisdom" (Hom. 17 of the lost territory. We learn from the on Jo•hua). The Sa.cr!1lces. The word is Moe.bite stone that the important towns derived from !:II/! fire. lt does not itself, as here mentioned, Medeba, Dibon, Baal- ott. utI. 1-88.J THE BOOK OF J'OSHUA.