The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 370

Hero, however, it means "toward., the region Unless, therefore, we are to conclude that opposite to the sons of Israel," i.e., in the all this history, in spite of its nature.I and direction of the country on the other side life-like character, was entirely the invention Jordnn. The country 11cross Jordan was of later ages, we can scarcely avoid the con- usu11lly designstod 11s 1~)/J or 1:;))/r.) Jordan. clusion that Deuteronomy, as well as the 1:;irS~ , the phrase used here·, we find in other books of the Pentateuch we.a in existence when these events occirr'red. For Exod. xxviii. 2G, apparently in the sense of if not, where was the offence of the two across (so Exod. xxxix. 10). In Deut. tribes and a half? How was its gravity to xxx. 13 it is used of moving in the direction be determined? What induced the rest of of a plo.ce, " a.cross " or II over the sea." In Israel, including apparently the other half Ezekiel i. 9, 12, with the addition of l'?~, of the tribe of Manasseh, to prepare for war the phrase means "straight forward." In with their brethren? The only rational 1 Sam. xiv. 40 1iJ~ 1:lV.7 means " on one exple.ne.tion of the history is that the tribes beyond Jordan had contravened the provi- side." In 1 Kings vii. • 20 1;,.v.';, means sions of the law of Moses, contained in the "over." Thus the e.lte.r was not necessarily Book of Deuteronomy, and that the rest of on the other side Jordan. Israel were preparing to inflict the punish- Ver. 12.-Gathered themselves together ment decreed in that law against such a.t Sblloh. The commentators refer here to contravention. And these provisions and Levit. xvii. 8, 9, o.nd Deut. xii. 4-14. See that punishment we find in the fise books also Levit. xvii. 4. The punishment for the of that law e.s it is at present handed down sin is to be found in Deut. xiii. 12-16. We to us. Our only alternatives, then, would have before remarked (note on ver. 3) upon seem to be, to reject the history, or to the singular obedience of the Israelites accept the law in toto. And if we take the during the life of Joshua. The present former, we have to explain how it is that incident is another exemplification of the the law and the subsequent history, though fact. It is not Joshua. who summons the entirely fabulous, ea.me to be arrangecl in to children of Israel, it is they who voluntarily so harmonious and consistent a whole. To gather themselves together. The solemn go up to wa.r a.ga.inst them. Calvin blames provisions of the law have been infringed, the Israelites a little unjustly here. They they hasten at once, if necessary, to put did not act rashly, as he asserts. Though the le.w in execution. The vivid sense of they prepared to visit the offence with the triumphs they had enjoyed under instant chastisement, they gave their Joshua., and the safety in which they now brethren e.n opportunity of explanation. were enabled to dwell, filled their hearts And when that explanation was given, it with e. strong, if short-lived, feeling of proved so entirely satisfactory that all gratitude to Him who had done so great hostile intentions were le.id aside. "Not things for them, e.nd of indignation age.inst onely wisdom, but charitie moved them to his foes. We me.y here observe two points this message. For grant they had been guilty, which demonstrate the consistency of the must they perish unwarned? Peaceable n!Ll'l'e.tive, e.nd are evidences for its genuine- mee.nes must first be usetl to recall them, ness. (1) The children of Isr/lel were not ere violence be sent to persecute them " remarkable for their obedience to the le.w, (Bp. Hall). It is to be feared that Christie.us or to heaven-sent leaders. Both their pre- have not always so restrained their impe- vious and subsequent history forbid us to tuosity when the cry that the faith was in predicate for them the quality of obedience. danger has been raised, e.nd that the zeal, Whence, then, comes this new-born and so well tempered by discretion, of the ephemera.I " zeal for the Lord," which dis- Israelitish congregation at this time, is e.n plays itself in such a remarkable manner on example of both qualities which puts many the present occasion? Whence, but _from Christians to shame. E\'en Masius cautions the long ce.te.logue of splendid victories nnd us here that we shoul<l not '' temere move- wonderful Divine intcrposHions recorded in amur suspicionibus." But he deri\'es hence this book, and from the sense of security an argument, e.nd cites St. Augustine in arising out of them? Whence, but from the favour of it, for the doctrine that heretics great fear of the children of Ismcl that had may be procee,led against by the civil sword. fallen upon the inhabitants of Co.nae.n, so Knobel's remark upon this verse is a perfect that, to use the striking f\Xpression of our gem of the "destructive criticism." The historian in eh. x. 21, "none moved his account of a.II Israel gathering together to tongue against e.ny of the children of war ago.inst the two tribes and a half " is Israel." (2) The offence and its penalty unsuitable to the circumspect an,l mild o.re recorded in the book of the law, e.nd Elohist." Are all writers of history, e:sccept cspecie.lly in the Book of Deuteronomy. those who have no battles or sieges to de, 818 '!'HE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [cH, XXII, 1-84,