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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Joshua, Chapter VIII].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J O S H U A</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VIII.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The embarrassment which Achan's sin gave to the affairs of Israel being
over, we have them here in a very good posture again, the affairs both
of war and religion. Here is,
I. The glorious progress of their arms in the taking of Ai, before
which they had lately suffered disgrace.
1. God encourages Joshua to attack it, with the assurance of success,
and directs him what method to take,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
2. Joshua gives orders accordingly to the men of war,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:3-8">ver. 3-8</A>.
3. The stratagem is managed as it was projected, and succeeds as it was
desired,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:9-22">ver. 9-22</A>.
4. Joshua becomes master of this city, puts all the inhabitants to the
sword, burns it, hangs the king, but gives the plunder to the soldiers,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:23-29">ver. 23-29</A>.
II. The great solemnity of writing and reading the law before a general
assembly of all Israel, drawn up for that purpose upon the two
mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, according to an order which Moses had
received from the Lord, and delivered to them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:30-35">ver. 30-35</A>.
Thus did they take their work before them, and make the business of
their religion to keep pace with their secular business.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Jos8_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Destruction of Ai.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou
dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up
to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his
people, and his city, and his land:
&nbsp; 2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto
Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle
thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an
ambush for the city behind it.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Israel were very happy in having such a commander as Joshua, but Joshua
was more happy in having such a director as God himself; when any
difficulty occurred, he needed not to call a council of war who had
<I>God so nigh unto him,</I> not only to answer, but even to
anticipate, his enquiries. It should seem, Joshua was now at a stand,
had scarcely recovered the discomposure he was put into by the trouble
Achan gave them, and could not think, without fear and trembling, of
pushing forward, lest there should be in the camp another Achan; then
God spoke to him, either by vision, as before
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+5:1-15"><I>ch.</I> v.</A>),
or by the breastplate of judgment. Note, When we have faithfully put
away sin, that accursed thing, which <I>separates between us and
God,</I> then, and not till then, we may expect to hear from God to our
comfort; and God's directing us how to go on in our Christian work and
warfare is a good evidence of his being reconciled to us. Observe
here,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The encouragement God gives to Joshua to proceed: <I>Fear not,
neither be thou dismayed,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
This intimates that the sin of Achan, and the consequences of it, had
been a very great discouragement to Joshua, and made his heart almost
ready to fail. Corruptions within the church weaken the hands, and damp
the spirits, of her guides and helpers, more than oppositions from
without; treacherous Israelites are to be dreaded more than malicious
Canaanites. But God bids Joshua not be dismayed; the same power that
keeps Israel from being ruined by their enemies shall keep them from
ruining themselves. To animate him,
1. He assures him of success against Ai, tells him it is all his own;
but he must take it as god's gift: <I>I have given it into thy
hands,</I> which secured him both title and possession, and obliged him
to give God the glory of both,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:3">Ps. xliv. 3</A>.
2. He allows the people to take the spoil to themselves. Here the spoil
was not consecrated to God as that of Jericho, and therefore there was
no danger of the people's committing such a trespass as they had
committed there. Observe, How Achan who caught at forbidden spoil lost
that, and life, and all, but the rest of the people who had
conscientiously refrained from the accursed thing were quickly
recompensed for their obedience with the spoil of Ai. The way to have
the comfort of what God allows us is to forbear what he forbids us. No
man shall lose by his self-denial; let God have his dues first, and
then all will be clean to us and sure,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+17:13">1 Kings xvii. 13</A>.
God did not bring them to these <I>goodly cities,</I> and <I>houses
filled with all good things,</I> to tantalize them with the sight of
that which they might not touch; but, having received the first-fruits
from Jericho, the spoil of Ai, and of all the cities which
thenceforward came into their hands, they might take for a prey to
themselves.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The direction he gives him in attacking Ai. It must not be such a
work of time as the taking of Jericho was; this would have prolonged
the war too much. Those that had patiently waited seven days for
Jericho shall have Ai given them in one day. Nor was it, as that, to
be taken by miracle, and purely by the act of God, but now their own
conduct and courage must be exercised; having seen God work for them,
they must now bestir themselves. God directs him,
1. To take all the people, that they might all be spectators of the
action and sharers in the spoil. Hereby God gave him a tacit rebuke for
sending so small a detachment against Ai in the former attempt upon it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+7:4"><I>ch.</I> vii. 4</A>.
2. To lay an ambush behind the city; this was a method which perhaps
Joshua would not have thought of at this time, if God had not directed
him to it; and though now we are not to expect direction, as here, by
visions, voices, or oracles, yet, whenever those who are entrusted with
public councils take prudent measures for the public good, it must be
acknowledged that god puts it into their hears; he that teaches the
husbandman discretion no doubt teaches statesman and general.</P>
<A NAME="Jos8_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_10"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_12"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_14"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_15"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_17"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_18"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_19"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_20"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_21"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_22"> </A>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against
Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour,
and sent them away by night.
&nbsp; 4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait
against the city, <I>even</I> behind the city: go not very far from
the city, but be ye all ready:
&nbsp; 5 And I, and all the people that <I>are</I> with me, will approach
unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out
against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
&nbsp; 6 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them
from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the
first: therefore we will flee before them.
&nbsp; 7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the
city: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God will deliver it into your hand.
&nbsp; 8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, <I>that</I> ye shall
set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
&nbsp; 9 Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in
ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai:
but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
&nbsp; 10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the
people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the
people to Ai.
&nbsp; 11 And all the people, <I>even the people</I> of war that <I>were</I>
with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and
pitched on the north side of Ai: now <I>there was</I> a valley between
them and Ai.
&nbsp; 12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in
ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
&nbsp; 13 And when they had set the people, <I>even</I> all the host that
<I>was</I> on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the
west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the
valley.
&nbsp; 14 And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw <I>it,</I> that they
hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out
against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time
appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that <I>there were</I>
liers in ambush against him behind the city.
&nbsp; 15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before
them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
&nbsp; 16 And all the people that <I>were</I> in Ai were called together to
pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn
away from the city.
&nbsp; 17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not
out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after
Israel.
&nbsp; 18 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that
<I>is</I> in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand.
And Joshua stretched out the spear that <I>he had</I> in his hand
toward the city.
&nbsp; 19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they
ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered
into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.
&nbsp; 20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and,
behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had
no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled
to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
&nbsp; 21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken
the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they
turned again, and slew the men of Ai.
&nbsp; 22 And the other issued out of the city against them; so they
were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that
side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain
or escape.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We have here an account of the taking of Ai by stratagem. The stratagem
here used, we are sure, was lawful and good; God himself appointed it,
and we have no reason to think but that the like is lawful and good in
other wars. Here was no league broken, no treaty of peace, that the
advantage was gained; no, these are sacred things, and not to be jested
with, nor used to serve a turn; truth, when once it is plighted,
becomes a debt even to the enemy. But in this stratagem here was no
untruth told; nothing was concealed but their own counsels, which no
enemy ever pretended a right to be entrusted with; nothing was
dissembled, nothing counterfeited but a retreat, which was no natural
or necessary indication at all of their inability to maintain their
onset, or of any design not to renew it. The enemy ought to have been
upon their guard, and to have kept within the defence of their own
walls. Common prudence, had they been governed by it, would have
directed them not to venture on the pursuit of an army which they saw
was so far superior to them in numbers, and leave their city unguarded;
but (<I>si populus vult decipi, decipiatur--if the people will be
deceived, let them</I>) if the Canaanites will be so easily imposed
upon, and in pursuit of God's Israel will break through all the laws of
policy and good management, the Israelites are not at all to be blamed
for taking advantage of their fury and thoughtlessness; nor is it any
way inconsistent with the character God is pleased to give of them,
that they are <I>children that will not lie.</I> Now in the account
here given of this matter,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. There is some difficulty in adjusting the numbers that were employed
to effect it. Mention is made
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
of 30,000 that were <I>chosen and sent away by night,</I> to whom the
charge was given to surprise the city as soon as ever they perceived it
was evacuated,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:4,7,8"><I>v.</I> 4, 7, 8</A>.
And yet afterwards
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>)
it is said, Joshua <I>took</I> 5000 <I>men and set them to lie in
ambush</I> behind the city, and that <I>ambush entered the city,</I>
and <I>set it on fire,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
Now,
1. Some think there were two parties sent out to lie in ambush, 30,000
first, and afterwards 5000 to guard the roads, and to intercept those
that were first sent out; and that Joshua made his open attack upon the
city with all the thousands of Israel. So the learned bishop Patrick,
insisting upon God's command
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>)
to take <I>all the people of war with him.</I> But,
2. Others think that all the people were taken only to encamp before
the city, and that out of them Joshua chose out 30,000 men to be
employed in the action, out of which he sent out 5000 to lie in ambush,
which were as many as could be supposed to march <I>incognito--without
being discovered</I> (more would have been seen, and thus the design
would have been broken) and that then with the other 25,000 he made the
open attack, as Masius thinks, or with the 30,000, which, as Calvin
thinks, he kept entire for that purpose, having, besides them, sent out
5000 for an ambuscade. And those 5000 (they think) must be meant by
those
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
whom he <I>sent away by night,</I> with orders to lie in wait behind
the city, though the particular number is not specified till
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
If we admit such a seeming disturbance in the order of the narrative
(of which, perhaps, similar instances might be cited from the other
scripture histories), it seems most probable that there was but one
ambushment, which consisted only of 5000, enough for such a
purpose.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Yet the principal parts of the story are plain enough, that a
detachment being secretly marched behind the city, on the other side to
that on which the main body of the army lay (the situation of the
country, it is probable, favouring their concealment), Joshua, and the
forces with him, faced the city; the garrison made a vigorous sally out
upon them, whereupon they withdrew, gave ground, and retreated in some
seeming disorder towards the wilderness, which being perceived by the
men of Ai, they drew out all the force they had to pursue them. This
gave a fair opportunity for those that lay in ambush to make themselves
masters of the city, whereof when they had given notice by a smoke to
Joshua, he, with all his force, returned upon the pursuers, who now,
when it was too late, were aware of the snare they were drawn into,
and, their retreat being intercepted, they were every man of them cut
off. The like artifice we find used,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+20:30">Judg. xx. 30</A>,
&c. Now in this story we may observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. What a brave commander Joshua was. See,
(1.) His conduct and prudence. God gave him the hint
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
that he should lay an ambush behind the city, but left him to himself
to order the particulars, which he did admirably well. Doubtless
<I>wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:19">Eccl. vii. 19</A>.
(2.) His care and industry
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
<I>He rose up early in the morning,</I> that he might lose no time, and
to show how intent his mind was upon his business. Those that would
maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease.
(3.) His courage and resolution; though an army of Israelites had been
repulsed before Ai, yet he resolves to lead them on in person the
second time,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
Being himself also an elder, he took the elders of Israel with him to
make this attack upon the city
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
as if he were going rather to sit in judgment upon them as criminals
than to fight them as enemies.
(4.) His caution and consideration
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
He <I>went that night into the midst of the valley,</I> to make the
necessary dispositions for an attack, and to see that every thing was
in good order. It is the pious conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick
that he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing upon
his enterprise, and he did not seek in vain.
(5.) His constancy and perseverance; when he had stretched out his
spear towards the city
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>,
a spear almost as fatal and formidable to the enemies of Israel as the
rod of Moses was) he never drew back his hand till the work was done.
His hands in fighting, like Moses's in interceding, were steady till
the going down of the sun. Those that have stretched out their hands
against their spiritual enemies must never draw them back.
<I>Lastly,</I> What Joshua did in the stratagem is applicable to our
Lord Jesus, of whom he was a type. Joshua conquered by yielding, as if
he had himself been conquered; so our Lord Jesus, when he bowed his
head and gave up the ghost, seemed as if death and triumphed over him,
and as if he and all his interests had been routed and ruined; but in
his resurrection he rallied again and gave the powers of darkness a
total defeat; he broke the serpent's head, by suffering him to bruise
his heel. A glorious stratagem!</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. What an obedient people Israel was. What <I>Joshua commanded them to
do, according to the commandment of the Lord</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
they did it without murmuring or disputing. Those that were sent to lie
in ambush between Beth-el and Ai (two cities confederate against them)
were in a post of danger, and had they been discovered might all have
been cut off, and yet they ventured; and, when the body of the army
retreated and fled, it was both disgraceful and perilous, and yet, in
obedience to Joshua, they did it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. What an infatuated enemy the king of Ai was,
(1.) That he did not by his scouts discover those that lay in ambush
behind the city,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
Some observe it as a remarkable instance of the power of God in making
men blind to their own interest, and the things that belong to their
peace, that <I>he wist not that there were liers in wait against
him.</I> Those are most in danger who are least aware that they are so.
(2.) That when Israel seemed to fly he drew out all his forces to
pursue them, and left none to guard his city and to secure his retreat,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
Thus the church's enemies often run themselves into destruction by
their own fury and the violence of their rage against the Israel of
God. Pharaoh plunged himself into the Red Sea by the eagerness with
which he pursued Israel.
(3.) That from the killing of thirty-six men out of 3000, when Israel
made the former attack upon his city, he should infer the total routing
of so great an army as now he had to deal with
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
<I>They flee before us as at the first.</I> See how the prosperity of
fools destroys them and hardens them to their ruin. God had made use of
the men of Ai as a scourge to chastise his people for meddling with the
accursed thing, and this had puffed them up with a conceit that they
must have the honour of delivering their country from these formidable
invaders; but they were soon made to see their mistake, and that when
the Israelites had reconciled themselves to their God they could have
no power against them. God had made use of them only for the rebuking
of Israel, with a purpose, when the correction was over, to throw the
rod itself into the fire; <I>howbeit, they meant not so,</I> but <I>it
was in their heart to destroy and cut off,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:5-7">Isa. x. 5-7</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
4. What a complete victory Israel obtained over them by the favour and
blessing of God. Each did his part: the divided forces of Israel, by
signals agreed on, understood one another, and every thing succeeded
according to the project; so that the men of Ai, even when they were
most confident of victory, found themselves surrounded, so that they
had neither spirit to resist nor room to fly, but were under a fatal
necessity of yielding their lives to the destroyers. And now it is hard
to say whether the shouts of the men of Israel, or the shrieks of the
men of Ai, were the louder, but easy to imagine what terror and
confusion they were filled with, when their highest assurances sunk so
suddenly into the heaviest despair. Note, The triumphing of the wicked
is short,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+20:5">Job xx. 5</A>.
They are <I>exalted for a little while,</I> that their fall and ruin
may be the sorer,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+24:24">Job xxiv. 24</A>.
See how easily, how quickly, the scale turns against those that have
not God on their side.</P>
<A NAME="Jos8_23"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_24"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_25"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_26"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_27"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_28"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_29"> </A>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to
Joshua.
&nbsp; 24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying
all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein
they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of
the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites
returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
&nbsp; 25 And <I>so</I> it was, <I>that</I> all that fell that day, both of men
and women, <I>were</I> twelve thousand, <I>even</I> all the men of Ai.
&nbsp; 26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched
out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants
of Ai.
&nbsp; 27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a
prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> which
he commanded Joshua.
&nbsp; 28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, <I>even</I> a
desolation unto this day.
&nbsp; 29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and
as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should
take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering
of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of
stones, <I>that remaineth</I> unto this day.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We have here an account of the improvement which the Israelites made of
their victory over Ai.
1. They put all to the sword, not only in the field, but in the city,
man, woman, and child, none of them remained,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
God, the righteous Judge, had passed this sentence upon them for their
wickedness, so that the Israelites were only the ministers of his
justice and the executioners of his doom. Once in this story, and but
once, mention is made of the men of Beth-el, as confederates with the
men of Ai,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
Though they had a king of their own, and were not subjects to the king
of Ai (for the king of Beth-el is reckoned among the thirty-one kings
that Joshua destroyed,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+12:16"><I>ch.</I> xii. 16</A>),
yet Ai being a stronger place they threw themselves into that, for
their own safety, and the strengthening of their neighbours' hands, and
so (we may presume) were all cut off with them; thus that by which they
hoped to prevent their own ruin hastened it. The whole number of the
slain, it seems, was but 12,000, and inconsiderable body to make head
against all the thousands of Israel; but those whom God will destroy he
infatuates. Here it is said
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>)
that <I>Joshua drew not his hand back wherewith he stretched out the
spear</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
till the slaughter was completed. Some think the spear he stretched out
was not to slay the enemies, but to animate and encourage his own
soldiers, some flag or ensign being hung out at the end of this spear;
and they observe it as an instance of his self-denial that though the
fire of courage wherewith his breast was filled would have pushed him
forward, sword in hand, into the hottest of the action, yet, in
obedience to God, he kept the inferior post of a standard-bearer, and
did not quit it till the work was done. By the spear stretched out, he
directed the people to expect their help from God, and to him to give
the praise.
2. They plundered the city and took all the spoil to themselves,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
Thus the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just; the spoil they
brought out of Egypt, by borrowing of their neighbours, was much of it
expended upon the tabernacle they had reared in the wilderness, for
which they are now reimbursed with interest. The spoil here taken, it
is probable, was all brought together, and distributed by Joshua in due
proportions, as that of the Midianites was,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+31:26">Num. xxxi. 26</A>,
&c. It was not seized with irregularity or violence, for God is the God
or order and equity, and not of confusion.
3. They laid the city in ashes, and left it to remain so,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
Israel must yet dwell in tents, and therefore this city, as well as
Jericho, must be burnt. And, though there was no curse entailed upon
him that should rebuild it, yet, it seems, it was not rebuilt unless it
be the same with Aijah, which we read of, long after,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:31">Neh. xi. 31</A>.
Some think it was not rebuilt because Israel had received a defeat
before it, the remembrance of which should be buried in the ruins of
the city.
4. The king of Ai was taken prisoner and cut off, not by the sword of
war as a soldier, but by the sword of justice as a malefactor. Joshua
ordered him to be hanged, and his dead body thrown at the gate of his
own city, <I>under a heap of stone,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:23,29"><I>v.</I> 23, 29</A>.
Some particular reason, no doubt, there was for this severity against
the king of Ai; it is likely he had been notoriously wicked and vile,
and a blasphemer of the God of Israel, perhaps upon occasion of the
repulse he had given to the forces of Israel in their first onset.
Some observe that his dead body was thrown at the gate where he had
been wont to sit in judgment that so much the greater contempt might
thereby be poured upon the dignity he had been proud of, and he might
be punished for the unrighteous decrees he had made in the very place
where he had made them. Thus the Lord is known by the judgments which
he executes.</P>
<A NAME="Jos8_30"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_31"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_32"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_33"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_34"> </A>
<A NAME="Jos8_35"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sacrifice Offered on Mount Ebal; The Reading of the Law.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel in
mount Ebal,
&nbsp; 31 As Moses the servant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded the children of
Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an
altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up <I>any</I> iron:
and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and
sacrificed peace offerings.
&nbsp; 32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of
Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
&nbsp; 33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their
judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the
priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half
of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against
mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had commanded
before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
&nbsp; 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the
blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the
book of the law.
&nbsp; 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which
Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the
women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were
conversant among them.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This religious solemnity of which we have here an account comes in
somewhat surprisingly in the midst of the history of the wars of
Canaan. After the taking of Jericho and Ai, we should have expected
that the next news would be of their taking possession of the country,
the pushing on of their victories in other cities, and the carrying of
the war into the bowels of the nation, now that they had made
themselves masters of these frontier towns. But here a scene opens of
quite another nature; the camp of Israel is drawn out into the field,
not to engage the enemy, but to offer sacrifice, to hear the law read,
and to say <I>Amen</I> to the blessings and the curses. Some think this
was not done till after some of the following victories were obtained
which were read of,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+10:1-11:23"><I>ch.</I> x. and xi</A>.
But it should seem by the maps that Shechem (near to which these two
mountains Gerizim and Ebal were) was not so far off from Ai but that
when they had taken that they might penetrate into the country as far
as those two mountains, and therefore I would not willingly admit a
transposition of the story; and the rather because, as it comes in
here, it is a remarkable instance,
1. Of the zeal of Israel for the service of God and for his honour.
Though never was war more honourable, more pleasant, or more gainful,
nor ever was war more sure of victory, or more necessary to a
settlement (for they had neither houses nor lands of their own till
they had won them by the sword, no, not Joshua himself), yet all the
business of the war shall stand still, while they make a long march to
the place appointed, and there attend this solemnity. God appointed
them to do this when they should have got over Jordan, and they did it
as soon as possibly they could, though they might have had a colourable
pretence to put it off. Note, We must not think to defer our
covenanting with God till we are settled in the world, or must any
business put us by from minding and pursuing the one thing needful. The
way to prosper is to begin with God,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:33">Matt. vi. 33</A>.
2. It is an instance of the care of God concerning his faithful
servants and worshippers. Though they were in an enemy's country, as
yet unconquered, yet in the service of God they were safe, as Jacob
when in this very country he was going to Beth-el to pay his vows:
<I>the terror of God was upon the cities round about,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+35:5">Gen. xxxv. 5</A>.
Note, When we are in the way of duty God takes us under his special
protection.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Twice Moses had given express orders for this solemnity; once
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:29,30">Deut. xi. 29, 30</A>,
where he seems to have pointed to the very place where it was to be
performed; and again
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+27:2">Deut. xxvii. 2</A>,
&c. It was a federal
transaction: the covenant was now renewed between God and Israel upon
their taking possession of the land of promise, that they might be
encouraged in the conquest of it, and might know upon what terms they
held it, and come under fresh obligations to obedience. In token of the
covenant,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. They built an altar, and offered sacrifice to God
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:30,31"><I>v.</I> 30, 31</A>),
in token of their dedication of themselves to God, as living sacrifices
to his honour, in and by a Mediator, who is the altar that sanctifies
this gift. This altar was erected on Mount <I>Ebal,</I> the mount on
which the curse was put
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:29">Deut. xi. 29</A>),
to signify that there, where by the law we had reason to expect a
curse, by Christ's sacrifice of himself for us and his mediation we
have peace with God; he has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a <I>curse for us,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:13">Gal. iii. 13</A>.
Even where it was said, by the curse, <I>You are not my people,</I>
there it is said, through Christ the altar, <I>You are the children of
the living God,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+1:10">Hos. i. 10</A>.
The curses pronounced on Mount Ebal would immediately have been
executed if atonement had not been made by sacrifice. By the sacrifices
offered on this altar they did likewise give God the glory of the
victories they had already obtained, as
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:15">Exod. xvii. 15</A>.
Now that they had had the comfort of them, in the spoils of Ai, it was
fit that God should have the praise of them. And they also implored his
favour for their future success; for supplications as well as
thanksgivings were intended in their peace-offerings. The way to
prosper in all that we put our hand to is to take God along with us,
and in all our ways to acknowledge him by prayer, praise, and
dependence. The altar they built was of rough unhewn stone, according
to the law
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+20:25">Exod. xx. 25</A>),
for that which is most plain and natural, and least artful and
affected, in the worship of God, he is best pleased with. Man's device
can add no beauty to God's institutions.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. They received the law from God; and this those must do that would
find favour with him, and expect to have their offerings accepted; for,
if we turn away our ear from hearing the law, our prayers will be an
abomination. When God took Israel into covenant he gave them his law,
and they, in token of their consent to the covenant, subjected
themselves to the law. Now here,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. The law of the ten commandments was written upon stones in the
presence of all Israel, as an abridgment of the whole,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
This copy was not graven in the stone, as that which was reserved in
the ark: That was to be done only by the finger of God; it is his
prerogative to write the law in the heart. But the stones were
plastered, and it was written upon the plaster,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+27:4,8">Deut. xxvii. 4, 8</A>.
It was written, that all might see what it was that they consented to,
and that it might be a standing remaining testimony to posterity of
God's goodness in giving them such good laws, and a testimony against
them if they were disobedient to them. It is a great mercy to any
people to have the law of God in writing, and it is fit that the
written law should be exposed to common view in a known tongue, that it
may be seen and read of all men.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. The blessings and the curses, the sanctions of the law, were
publicly read, and the people (we may suppose), according to Moses's
appointment, said <I>Amen</I> to them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:33,34"><I>v.</I> 33, 34</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) The auditory was very large.
[1.] The greatest prince was not excused. The elders, officers, and
judges, are not above the cognizance of the law, but will come under
the blessing or the curse, according as they are or are not obedient to
it, and therefore they must be present to consent to the covenant and
to go before the people therein.
[2.] The poorest stranger was not excluded. Here was a general
naturalization of them: as well the stranger as he that was born among
them was taken into covenant. This was an encouragement to proselytes,
and a happy presage of the kindnesses intended for the poor Gentiles in
the latter days.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) The tribes were posted, as Moses directed, six towards Gerizim and
six towards Ebal. And the ark in the midst of the valley was between
them, for it was the <I>ark of the covenant;</I> and in it were shut up
the close rolls of that law which was copied out and shown openly upon
the stones. The covenant was commanded, and the command covenanted. The
priests that attended the ark, or some of the Levites that attended
them, after the people had all taken their places, and silence was
proclaimed, pronounced distinctly the blessings and the curses, as
Moses had drawn them up, to which the tribes said <I>Amen;</I> and yet
it is here only said that they should <I>bless the people,</I> for the
blessing was that which was first and chiefly intended, and which God
designed in giving the law. If they fell under the curse, that was
their own fault. And it was really a blessing to the people that they
had this matter laid so plainly before them, <I>life and death, good
and evil;</I> he <I>had not dealt so with other nations.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. The law itself also containing the precepts and prohibitions was
read
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>),
it should seem by Joshua himself, who did not think it below him to be
a reader in the congregation of the Lord. In conformity to this
example, the solemn reading of the law, which was appointed once in
seven years
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:10,11">Deut. xxxi. 10, 11</A>),
was performed by their king or chief magistrate. It is here intimated
what a general publication of the law this was.
(1.) Every word was read; even the minutest precepts were not omitted,
nor the most copious abridged; not one iota or tittle of the law shall
pass away, and therefore none was, in reading, skipped over, under
pretence of want of time, or that any part was needless or not proper
to be read. It was not many weeks since Moses had preached the whole
book of <I>Deuteronomy</I> to them, yet Joshua must now read it all
over again; it is good to hear twice what God has spoken once
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+62:11">Ps. lxii. 11</A>)
and to review what had been delivered to us, or to have it repeated,
that we may not let it slip.
(2.) Every Israelite was present, even <I>the women and the little
ones</I> that all might know and do their duty. Note, Masters of
families should bring their wives and children with them to the solemn
assemblies for religious worship. All that are capable of learning
must come to be <I>taught out of the law.</I> The strangers also
attended with them; for wherever we are, though but as strangers, we
should improve every opportunity of acquainting ourselves with God and
his holy will.</P>
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