mh_parser/vol_split/6 - Joshua/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="Jos.v" n="v" next="Jos.vi" prev="Jos.iv" progress="1.89%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="Jos.v-p0.1">J O S H U A</h2>
<h3 id="Jos.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jos.v-p1">This chapter gives a further account of the
miraculous passage of Israel through Jordan. I. The provision that
was made at that time to preserve the memorial of it, by twelve
stones set up in Jordan (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.9" parsed="|Josh|4|9|0|0" passage="Jos 4:9">ver.
9</scripRef>) and other twelve stones taken up out of Jordan,
<scripRef id="Jos.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.1-Josh.4.8" parsed="|Josh|4|1|4|8" passage="Jos 4:1-8">ver. 1-8</scripRef>. II. The march of
the people through Jordan's channel, the two tribes first, then all
the people, and the priests that bore the ark last, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.10-Josh.4.14" parsed="|Josh|4|10|4|14" passage="Jos 4:10-14">ver. 10-14</scripRef>. III. The closing of
the waters again upon their coming up with the ark, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.15-Josh.4.19" parsed="|Josh|4|15|4|19" passage="Jos 4:15-19">ver. 15-19</scripRef>. IV. The erecting of
the monument in Gilgal, to preserve the remembrance of this work of
wonder to posterity, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.20-Josh.4.24" parsed="|Josh|4|20|4|24" passage="Jos 4:20-24">ver.
20-24</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Jos.v-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4" parsed="|Josh|4|0|0|0" passage="Jos 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jos.v-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.1-Josh.4.9" parsed="|Josh|4|1|4|9" passage="Jos 4:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.4.1-Josh.4.9">
<h4 id="Jos.v-p1.8">The Passage over the Jordan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.v-p2">1 And it came to pass, when all the people were
clean passed over Jordan, that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p2.1">Lord</span> spake unto Joshua, saying,   2 Take
you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,  
3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of
Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve
stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in
the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.   4 Then
Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children
of Israel, out of every tribe a man:   5 And Joshua said unto
them, Pass over before the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p2.2">Lord</span> your God into the midst of Jordan, and take
ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto
the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:   6 That
this may be a sign among you, <i>that</i> when your children ask
<i>their fathers</i> in time to come, saying, What <i>mean</i> ye
by these stones?   7 Then ye shall answer them, That the
waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p2.3">Lord</span>; when it passed over Jordan,
the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a
memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.   8 And the
children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve
stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p2.4">Lord</span> spake unto Joshua, according to the number
of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with
them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
  9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in
the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the
covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p3">We may well imagine how busy Joshua and all
the men of war were while they were passing over Jordan, when
besides their own marching into an enemy's country, and in the face
of the enemy, which could not but occasion them many thoughts of
heart, they had their wives, and children, and families, their
cattle, and tents, and all their effects, bag and baggage, to
convey by this strange and untrodden path, which we must suppose
either very muddy or very stony, troublesome to the weak and
frightful to the timorous, the descent to the bottom of the river
and the ascent out of it steep, so that every man must needs have
his head full of care and his hands full of business, and Joshua
more than any of them. And yet, in the midst of all his hurry, care
must be taken to perpetuate the memorial of this wondrous work of
God, and this care might not be adjourned to a time of greater
leisure. Note, How much soever we have to do of business for
ourselves and our families, we must not neglect nor omit what we
have to do for the glory of God and the serving of his honour, for
that is our best business. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p4">I. God gave orders for the preparing of
this memorial. Had Joshua done it without divine direction, it
might have looked like a design to perpetuate his own name and
honour, nor would it have commanded so sacred and venerable a
regard from posterity as now, when god himself appointed it. Note,
God's works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance,
and means devise for the preserving of the memorial of them. Some
of the Israelites that passed over Jordan perhaps were so stupid,
and so little affected with this great favour of God to them, that
they felt no concern to have it remembered; while others, it may
be, were so much affected with it, and had such deep impressions
made upon them by it, that they thought there needed no memorial of
it to be erected, the heart and tongue of every Israelite in every
age would be a living lasting monument of it. But God, knowing
their frame, and how apt they had been soon to forget his works,
ordered an expedient for the keeping of this in remembrance to all
generations, that those who could not, or would not, read the
record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of
it by the monument set up in remembrance of it, of which the common
tradition of the country would be an explication; it would likewise
serve to corroborate the proof of the matter of fact, and would
remain a standing evidence of it to those who in after-ages might
question the truth of it. A monument is to be erected, and, 1.
Joshua, as chief captain, must five direction about it (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.1" parsed="|Josh|4|1|0|0" passage="Jos 4:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>When all the people
had clean passed over Jordan,</i> not even the feeble, that were
the hindmost of them, left behind, so that God had done his work
completely, and every Israelite got safe into Canaan, then God
spoke unto Joshua to provide materials for this monument. It is the
pious conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick that Joshua had gone
into some place of retirement to return thanks immediately for this
wonderful mercy, and then God met him, and spoke thus to him. Or,
perhaps, it was by Eleazar the priest that God gave these and other
instructions to Joshua; for, though he is not mentioned here, yet,
when Joshua was ordained by the imposition of hands to this great
trust, God appointed that Eleazar should <i>ask counsel for him
after the judgment of Urim, and at his word Joshua and all the
children of Israel must go out and come in,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.27.21" parsed="|Num|27|21|0|0" passage="Nu 27:21">Num. xxvii. 21</scripRef>. 2. One man out of each tribe,
and he a chosen man, must be employed to prepare materials for this
monument, that each tribe might have the story told them by one of
themselves, and each tribe might contribute something to the glory
of God thereby (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.2 Bible:Josh.4.4" parsed="|Josh|4|2|0|0;|Josh|4|4|0|0" passage="Jos 4:2,4"><i>v.</i> 2,
4</scripRef>): <i>Out of every tribe a man.</i> Not the Levites
only, but every Israelite must, in his place, help to <i>make known
to the sons of men God's mighty acts,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.145.12" parsed="|Ps|145|12|0|0" passage="Ps 145:12">Ps. cxlv. 12</scripRef>. The two tribes, though seated
already in their possession, yet, sharing in the mercy, must lend a
hand to the memorial of it. 3. The stones that must be set up for
this memorial are ordered to be taken out of the midst of the
channel (where, probably, there lay abundance of great stones), and
as near as might be from the very place where the priests stood
<i>with the ark,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.3 Bible:Josh.4.5" parsed="|Josh|4|3|0|0;|Josh|4|5|0|0" passage="Jos 4:3,5"><i>v.</i> 3,
5</scripRef>. This intended monument deserved to be made of stones
curiously cut with the finest and most exquisite art, but these
stones out of the bottom of the river were more natural and more
apt indications of the miracle. let posterity know by this that
Jordan was driven back, for these very stones were then fetched out
of it. In the institution of signs, God always chose that which was
most proper and significant, rather than that which is pompous or
curious; for <i>God hath chosen the foolish things of the
world.</i> These twelve men, after they got over Jordan, must be
sent back to the place where the ark stood, being permitted to come
near it (which others might not) for this service: "<i>Pass over
before the ark</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.5" parsed="|Josh|4|5|0|0" passage="Jos 4:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>), that is, into the presence of the ark, which now
stands in the midst of Jordan, and thence fetch these stones." 4.
The use of these stones is here appointed for a sign (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.6" parsed="|Josh|4|6|0|0" passage="Jos 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), a memorial, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.8" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.7" parsed="|Josh|4|7|0|0" passage="Jos 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. They would give occasion
to the children to ask their parents in time to come, <i>How came
these stones hither?</i> (probably the land about not being stony),
and then the parents would inform them, as they themselves had been
informed, that in this place Jordan was divided by the almighty
power of God, to give Israel passage into Canaan, as Joshua
enlarges on this head, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p4.9" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.22-Josh.4.24" parsed="|Josh|4|22|4|24" passage="Jos 4:22-24"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p5">II. According to these orders the thing was
done. 1. Twelve stones were taken up out of the midst of Jordan,
and carried in the sight of the people to the place where they had
their head-quarters that night, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.8" parsed="|Josh|4|8|0|0" passage="Jos 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. It is probable that the stones
they took were as big as they could well carry, and as near as
might be of a size and shape. But whether they went away with them
immediately to the place, of whether they staid to attend the ark,
and kept pace with the solemn procession of that, to grace its
triumphant entry in to Canaan, is not certain. By these stones
which they were ordered to take up God did, as it were, give them
livery and seisin of this good land; it is all their own, let them
enter and take possession; therefore what these twelve did the
children of Israel are said to do (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.8" parsed="|Josh|4|8|0|0" passage="Jos 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), because they were the
representatives of their respective tribes. In allusion to this, we
may observe that when the Lord Jesus, our Joshua, having overcome
the sharpness of death and dried up that Jordan, had opened the
kingdom of heaven to all believers, he appointed his twelve
apostles according to the number of the tribes of Israel, by the
memorial of the gospel to transmit the knowledge of this to remote
places and future ages. 2. Other twelve stones (probably much
larger than the other, for we read not that they were each of them
one man's load) were set up <i>in the midst of Jordan</i>
(<scripRef id="Jos.v-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.9" parsed="|Josh|4|9|0|0" passage="Jos 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), piled up so
high in a heap or pillar as that the top of it might be seen above
the water when the river was low, or seen in the water when it was
clear, or at least the noise of commotion of the water passing over
it would be observable, and the bargemen would avoid it, as they do
a rock. Some way or other, it is likely, it was discernible, so as
to notify the very place where the ark stood, and to serve for a
duplicate to the other monument, which was to set up on dry land in
Gilgal, for the confirming of its testimony and the preserving of
its tradition. The sign being doubled, no doubt the thing was
certain.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.v-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.10-Josh.4.19" parsed="|Josh|4|10|4|19" passage="Jos 4:10-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.4.10-Josh.4.19">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.v-p6">10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in
the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p6.1">Lord</span> commanded Joshua to speak unto the
people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the
people hasted and passed over.   11 And it came to pass, when
all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p6.2">Lord</span> passed over, and the priests, in the
presence of the people.   12 And the children of Reuben, and
the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over
armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:
  13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p6.3">Lord</span> unto battle, to the plains
of Jericho.   14 On that day the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p6.4">Lord</span> magnified Joshua in the sight of all
Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of
his life.   15 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p6.5">Lord</span>
spake unto Joshua, saying,   16 Command the priests that bear
the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.  
17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out
of Jordan.   18 And it came to pass, when the priests that
bare the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p6.6">Lord</span> were come up out of the midst of Jordan,
<i>and</i> the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the
dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and
flowed over all his banks, as <i>they did</i> before.   19 And
the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth <i>day</i> of the
first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of
Jericho.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p7">The inspired historian seems to be so well
pleased with his subject here that he is loth to quit it, and is
therefore very particular in his narrative, especially in observing
how closely Joshua pursued the orders God gave him, and that he did
nothing without divine direction, finishing all that <i>the Lord
had commanded</i> him (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.10" parsed="|Josh|4|10|0|0" passage="Jos 4:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), which is also said to be what <i>Moses
commanded.</i> We read not of any particular commands that Moses
gave to Joshua about this matter: the thing was altogether new to
him. It must therefore be understood of the general instructions
Moses had given him to follow the divine direction, to deliver that
to the people which he <i>received of the Lord,</i> and to take all
occasions to remind them of their duty to God, as the best return
for his favours to them. This which Moses, who was now dead and
gone, had said to him, he had in mind at this time, and <i>did
accordingly.</i> It is well for us to have the good instructions
that have been given us ready to us when we have occasion for
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p8">I. <i>The people hasted and passed
over,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.v-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.10" parsed="|Josh|4|10|0|0" passage="Jos 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
Some understand this of the twelve men that carried the stones, but
it seems rather to be meant of the body of the people; for, though
an account was given of their passing over (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.1" parsed="|Josh|4|1|0|0" passage="Jos 4:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), yet here it is repeated for the
sake of this circumstance, which was to be added, that they passed
over <i>in haste,</i> either because Joshua by their officers
ordered them to make haste, for it was to be but one day's work and
they must not <i>leave a hoof behind,</i> or perhaps it was their
own inclination that hastened them. 1. Some hasted because they
were not able to trust God. They were afraid the waters should
return upon them, being conscious of guilt, and diffident of the
divine power and goodness. 2. Others because they were not willing
to tempt God to continue the miracle longer than needs must, nor
would they put the patience of the priests that bore the ark too
much to the stretch by unnecessary delay. 3. Others because they
were eager to be in Canaan, and would thus show how much they
longed after that pleasant land. 4. Those that considered least,
yet hasted because others did. He that believeth doth not make
haste to <i>anticipate</i> God's counsels, but he makes haste to
<i>attend</i> them, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.28.16" parsed="|Isa|28|16|0|0" passage="Isa 28:16">Isa. xxviii.
16</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p9">II. The two tribes and a half led the van,
<scripRef id="Jos.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.12-Josh.4.13" parsed="|Josh|4|12|4|13" passage="Jos 4:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12, 13</scripRef>. So
they had promised when they had their lot given them on that side
Jordan, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.32.27" parsed="|Num|32|27|0|0" passage="Nu 32:27">Num. xxxii. 27</scripRef>. And
Joshua had lately reminded them of their promise, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.1.12-Josh.1.15" parsed="|Josh|1|12|1|15" passage="Jos 1:12-15"><i>ch.</i> i. 12-15</scripRef>. It was fit
that those who had the first settlement should be the first in the
encounter of difficulties, the rather because they had not the
incumbrance of families with them as the other tribes had, and they
were all chose men, and fit for service, ready armed. It was a good
providence that they had so strong a body to lead them on, and
would be an encouragement to the rest. And the two tribes had no
reason to complain: the post of danger is the post of honour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p10">III. When all the people had got clear to
the other side, the priests with the ark came up out of Jordan.
This, one would think, should have been done of course; their own
reason would tell them that now there was no more occasion for
them, and yet they did not stir a step till Joshua ordered them to
move, and Joshua did not order them out of Jordan till God directed
him to do so, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.15-Josh.4.17" parsed="|Josh|4|15|4|17" passage="Jos 4:15-17"><i>v.</i>
15-17</scripRef>. So observant were they of Joshua, and he of God,
which was their praise, as it was their happiness to be under such
good direction. How low a condition soever God may at any time
bring his priests or people to, let them patiently wait, till by
his providence he shall call them up out of it, as the priests here
were called to come up out of Jordan, and let them not be weary of
waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them,
even the ark of the covenant, in the depth of their adversity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p11">IV. As soon as ever the priests and the ark
had come up out of Jordan, the waters of the river, which had stood
on a heap, gradually flowed down according to their nature and
usual course, and soon filled the channel again, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.18" parsed="|Josh|4|18|0|0" passage="Jos 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. This makes it yet more evident
that the stop which had now been given to the river was not from
any secret natural cause, but purely from the power of God's
presence, and for the sake of his Israel; for when Israel's turn
was served, and the token of God's presence was removed,
immediately the water went forward again; so that if it be asked,
<i>What ailed thee, O Jordan! that thou wast driven back?</i> It
must be answered, It was purely in obedience to the God of Israel,
and in kindness to the Israel of God. There is therefore none
<i>like unto the God of Jeshurun; happy also art thou, O Israel!
who is like unto thee, O people?</i> Some observe here, by way of
allusion, that when the ark, and the priests that bore it, are
removed from any place, the flood-gates are drawn up, the defence
has departed, and an inundation of judgments is to be expected
shortly. Those that are unchurched will soon be undone. The glory
has departed if the ark is taken.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p12">V. Notice is taken of the honour put upon
Joshua by all this (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.14" parsed="|Josh|4|14|0|0" passage="Jos 4:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>): <i>On that day the Lord magnified Joshua,</i> both
by the fellowship he admitted him to with himself, speaking to him
upon all occasions and being ready to be consulted by him, and by
the authority he confirmed him in over both priests and people.
Those that honour God he will honour, and when he will magnify a
man, as he had said he would magnify Joshua (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.7" parsed="|Josh|3|7|0|0" passage="Jos 3:7"><i>ch.</i> iii. 7</scripRef>), he will do it effectually.
Yet it was not for Joshua's sake only that he was thus magnified,
but to put him in a capacity of doing so much the more service to
Israel, for hereupon they feared him as they feared Moses. See here
what is the best and surest way to command the respect of
inferiors, and to gain their reverence and observance, not by
blustering and threatening, and carrying it with a high hand, but
by holiness and love, and all possible indications of a constant
regard to their welfare, and to God's will and honour. Those are
feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it to
appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.
Those that are sanctified are truly magnified, and are worthy of
double honour. Favourites of heaven should be looked on with
awe.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p13">VI. An account is kept of the time of this
great event (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.19" parsed="|Josh|4|19|0|0" passage="Jos 4:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>):
it was <i>on the tenth day of the first month,</i> just forty years
since they came out of Egypt, wanting five days. God had said in
his wrath that they should wander forty years in the wilderness,
but, to make up that forty, we must take in the first year, which
was then past, and had been a year of triumph in their deliverance
out of Egypt, and this last, which had been a year of triumph
likewise on the other side Jordan, so that all the forty were not
years of sorrow; and at last he brought them into Canaan five days
before the forty years were ended, to show how little pleasure God
takes in punishing, how swift he is to show mercy, and that <i>for
the elects' sake the days</i> of trouble <i>are shortened,</i>
<scripRef id="Jos.v-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.24.22" parsed="|Matt|24|22|0|0" passage="Mt 24:22">Matt. xxiv. 22</scripRef>. God ordered
it so that they should enter Canaan four days before the annual
solemnity of the passover, and on the very day when the preparation
for it was to begin (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.3" parsed="|Exod|12|3|0|0" passage="Ex 12:3">Exod. xii.
3</scripRef>), because he would have their entrance into Canaan
graced and sanctified with that religious feast, and would have
them then to be reminded of their deliverance out of Egypt, that,
comparing them together, God might be glorified as the <i>Alpha</i>
and <i>Omega</i> of their bliss.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.v-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.20-Josh.4.24" parsed="|Josh|4|20|4|24" passage="Jos 4:20-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.4.20-Josh.4.24">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.v-p14">20 And those twelve stones, which they took out
of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.   21 And he spake unto
the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their
fathers in time to come, saying, What <i>mean</i> these stones?
  22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came
over this Jordan on dry land.   23 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p14.1">Lord</span> your God dried up the waters of Jordan from
before you, until ye were passed over, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p14.2">Lord</span> your God did to the Red sea, which he dried
up from before us, until we were gone over:   24 That all the
people of the earth might know the hand of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p14.3">Lord</span>, that it <i>is</i> mighty: that ye might
fear the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.v-p14.4">Lord</span> your God for ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p15">The twelve stones which were <i>laid down
in Gilgal</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.8" parsed="|Josh|4|8|0|0" passage="Jos 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>)
are here set up either one upon another, yet so as that they might
be distinctly counted, or one by another in rows; for after they
were fixed they are not call <i>a heap of stones,</i> but <i>these
stones.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p16">I. It is here taken for granted that
posterity would enquire into the meaning of them, supposing them
intended for a memorial: <i>Your children shall ask their
fathers</i> (for who else should they ask?) <i>What mean these
stones?</i> Notes, Those that will be wise when they are old must
be inquisitive when they are young. Our Lord Jesus, though he had
in himself the fulness of knowledge, has by his example taught
children and young people to hear and ask questions, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.46" parsed="|Luke|2|46|0|0" passage="Lu 2:46">Luke ii. 46</scripRef>. Perhaps when John was
baptizing in Jordan at Bethabara (the house of passage, where the
people passed over) he pointed at these very stones, while saying
(<scripRef id="Jos.v-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.3.9" parsed="|Matt|3|9|0|0" passage="Mt 3:9">Matt. iii. 9</scripRef>) <i>God is able
of these stones</i> (which were at first set up by the twelve
tribes) <i>to raise up children unto Abraham.</i> The stones being
the memorial of the miracle, the children's question gave occasion
for the improvement of it; but our Saviour says (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.10.40" parsed="|Luke|10|40|0|0" passage="Lu 10:40">Luke x. 40</scripRef>), <i>If the</i> children <i>should
hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out;</i> for one
way or other the Lord will be glorified in his works of wonder.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p17">II. The parents are here directed what
answer to give to this enquiry (<scripRef id="Jos.v-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.22" parsed="|Josh|4|22|0|0" passage="Jos 4:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>): "<i>You shall let your
children know</i> that which you have yourselves learned from the
written word and from your fathers." Note, It is the duty of
parents to acquaint their children betimes with the word and works
of God, that they may be trained up in the way they should go.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p18">1. They must let their children know that
Jordan was driven back before Israel, who <i>went through it upon
dry land,</i> and that this was the very place where they passed
over. They saw how deep and strong a stream Jordan now was, but the
divine power put a stop to it, even when it overflowed all its
banks—"and this for you, that live so long after." Note, God's
mercies to our ancestors were mercies to us; and we should take all
occasions to revive the remembrance of the great things God did for
our fathers <i>in the days of old.</i> The place thus marked would
be a memorandum to them: Israel came over this Jordan. A local
memory would be of use to them, and the sight of the place remind
them of that which was done there; and not only the inhabitants of
that country, but strangers and travellers, would look upon these
stones and receive instruction. Many, upon the sight of the stones,
would go to their Bibles, and there read the history of this
wondrous work; and some perhaps, upon reading the history, though
living at a distance, would have the curiosity to go and see the
stones.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p19">2. They must take that occasion to tell
their children of the drying up of the Red Sea forty years before:
<i>As the Lord your God did to the Red Sea.</i> Note. (1.) It
greatly magnifies later mercies to compare them with former
mercies, for, by making the comparison, it appears that god is the
same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. (2.) Later mercies should
bring to remembrance former mercies, and revive our thankfulness
for them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.v-p20">3. They must put them in the way of making
a good use of these works of wonder, the knowledge whereof was thus
carefully transmitted to them, <scripRef id="Jos.v-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.24" parsed="|Josh|4|24|0|0" passage="Jos 4:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. (1.) The power of God was
hereby magnified. All the world was or might be convinced that
<i>the hand of the Lord is mighty,</i> that nothing is too hard for
God to do; nor can any power, no, not that of nature itself,
obstruct what God will effect. The deliverances of God's people are
instructions to all people, and fair warnings not to contend with
Omnipotence. (2.) The people of God were engaged and encouraged to
persevere in his service "<i>That you might fear the Lord your
God,</i> and consequently do your duty to him, and this for ever,"
or <i>all days</i> (<i>margin</i>), "every day, all the days of
your lives, and your seed throughout your generations." The
remembrance of this wonderful work should effectually restrain them
from the worship of other gods, and constrain them to abide and
abound in the service of their own God. Note, In all the
instructions and informations parents give their children, they
should have this chiefly in their eye, to teach and engage them to
<i>fear God for ever.</i> Serious godliness is the best
learning.</p>
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