The 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?es diligent service, punctual leader. In fe.ot, it is a.n argument for the obedience, faithful attachment, the devotion ea.l'ly composition of the book tha.t there is of the heart and soul. Commandment and no reference, not even o.n allusion, to any law. The first of these words, derived from a l11ter events in the history of Israel. Why root signifying to set up, hae rather the force there was this m11rked difference between of what we call a positive precept, referring Israel under Joshua, o.nd Israel e.t any other to single acts. The word translated law, time, is 11 question somewhat difficult to derived from tbe root to cast, hence to determine. Yet we may believe that it was stretch out the hand, to point out, refers the evidence of visible success. While the rather to moral precepts. The Greek v6µo, Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, and our law are nse<l ia the same sense. they felt keenly, a.s men accustomed to a Cleave unto Him. The Hebrew is stronger, civilised and settled llie, the inconveniences cleave into Him, as though regarding not of a nomad existence. By their mingled eo much isolated actions ae principles of impatience and cowardice they bad forfeited life. Our life was to be " rooted and their claim to God's protection. Even the grounded," to use an apostolic pLrase, in observance of their feasts, and still furt!Jer His. But the full significance of these the rite of initiation into the covenant itself, words could not be understood till One had were in abeyance (see notes on eh. v. 2-8). come who enabled us by faith to "eat His So uncertain, humanly speaking, was their flesh and drink His blood," and so be united fature, the.I it was as difficult a task, and to Him as the branch to its root. one the successful accomplishment of which Ver. 6.-To their tents. It would seem was above nnassisted human. powers, for that, dnring the whole of these " many Moses to keep them together in the wilder- days," the conquered cities bad remained ness, as it was for Joshua to lead them to tenantless, waiting for the return of the victory in the promised land. And it is one .warriors from their long expedition. "Those of the comnlonest of Christian experiences, that were first in the assignment of the both in the history of individuals e.nd of land were last in the enjoyment of it; so the Christian Church, that times of pros- ' the le.at shall be first and the first last,' perity are times of content e.nd outward that there may be something of equality " satisfaction. It is the times of adversity (Matthew Henry). The first part of the quota- ttat try men's faith and patience. As long tion is due to Bishop Hall, who also says, e.s the Israelitish Church was subduing "If heaven be never so sweet to us, yet kingdoms, winning splendid victories, ex- may wee not runne from this earthen war- periencing the encouragement derivable fare till our great Captaine shall please to from God's sensible presence and interven- discharge us." tion, there was no discontent, discourage- Ver. 7.-Now to the one half of the tribe ment, or wavering. But the trials of the of Manasseh. \Ve have here, as Keil re- long wandering, as well as those incident to marks, a specimen of our author's habit of the quiet, unostenta.tious discharge of duty, repetition. Four times do we read (chs. riii. were fatal to their faith and patieuce. Can 14, 33; xiv. 3; xviii. 7) that the Levites theirs be said to be a singular history? were to have no share in the division of the Kept the charge. The words in the originel land. Four times (in chs. xiii. 8; xiv. 3; have reference to the punctual dische.rge of xviii. 7, ancl here) does he repeat that the a duty entrusted to 11 person to fulfil. It tribe of Manasseh was clivided into two, and may be rendered, " kept the observance had its inheritance on either si,le Jordan. of the commandment." This command- The same kine! of repetition occurs in the ment, as we ho.vo before seen, was given narratirn of the passing of the Jordan. It in Num. xxxii. (see also eh. i. 12-18). has been before remarked to be a. charac- Ver. 4.-Given rest. LXX. KaTi1rava,, the teristic of the style of the Old Testament word used in Heh. iv. 8. generally, but nowhere is it found to a , Ver. 5.-But take. d,lllgent heed. Tl\i~, gr_eater degree than in the Book of Jos~ua. passage is_ 11 q uota;tion from the Book of Yet this to whioh critics of tLe ano.lyt1cel Deuteronomy (cbs. vi. 5; x, ~2·; xi. 13, ·22; school l;av~ objected as a sign of spurious- xxx. 6, 16, 20, &c.) The .expi:essions, 11s ness is in foci one of those peculiarities of Keil well remarks, are " crowded. tpgetlie1·, sty!; which m11<rk the inilivi,luality of the !o that obedien,ce to God's commands inay. wi·iter. It. is tq inspired .history what the be the mare deeply impressed on th~ir Gos~ Q.nd - fpistles of St. John are to heart~.'' It is woi:thy of remark, tb11t while insptred theology. The form belongs to the beginning with the love orGod, Joshua. does· author; the m&tter, at least 11s regl\rds its  THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [en. XXII. 1-34,