mh_parser/vol_split/6 - Joshua/Chapter 22.xml

<div2 id="Jos.xxiii" n="xxiii" next="Jos.xxiv" prev="Jos.xxii" progress="9.05%" title="Chapter XXII">
<h2 id="Jos.xxiii-p0.1">J O S H U A</h2>
<h3 id="Jos.xxiii-p0.2">CHAP. XXII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jos.xxiii-p1">Many particular things we have read concerning the
two tribes and a half, though nothing separated them from the rest
of the tribes except the river Jordan, and this chapter is wholly
concerning them. I. Joshua's dismission of the militia of those
tribes from the camp of Israel, in which the had served as
auxiliaries, during all the wars of Canaan, and their return
thereupon to their own country, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.1-Josh.22.9" parsed="|Josh|22|1|22|9" passage="Jos 22:1-9">ver.
1-9</scripRef>. II. The altar they built on the borders of Jordan,
in token of their communion with the land of Israel, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.10" parsed="|Josh|22|10|0|0" passage="Jos 22:10">ver. 10</scripRef>. III. The offence which the
rest of the tribes took at this altar, and the message they sent
thereupon, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.11-Josh.22.20" parsed="|Josh|22|11|22|20" passage="Jos 22:11-20">ver. 11-20</scripRef>.
IV. The apology which the two tribes and a half made for what they
had done, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.21-Josh.22.29" parsed="|Josh|22|21|22|29" passage="Jos 22:21-29">ver. 21-29</scripRef>.
V. The satisfaction which their apology gave to the rest of the
tribes, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.30-Josh.22.34" parsed="|Josh|22|30|22|34" passage="Jos 22:30-34">ver. 30-34</scripRef>. And
(which is strange), whereas in most differences that happen there
is a fault on both sides, on this there was fault on no side; none
(for aught that appears) were to be blamed, but all to be
praised.</p>
<scripCom id="Jos.xxiii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22" parsed="|Josh|22|0|0|0" passage="Jos 22" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jos.xxiii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.1-Josh.22.9" parsed="|Josh|22|1|22|9" passage="Jos 22:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.22.1-Josh.22.9">
<h4 id="Jos.xxiii-p1.8">The Reubenites, Gadites, and Half Tribe of
Manasseh Dismissed. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xxiii-p2">1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the
Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,   2 And said unto
them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.1">Lord</span> commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in
all that I commanded you:   3 Ye have not left your brethren
these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the
commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.2">Lord</span> your God.
  4 And now the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.3">Lord</span> your God
hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore
now return ye, and get you unto your tents, <i>and</i> unto the
land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.4">Lord</span> gave you on the other side Jordan.
  5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law,
which Moses the servant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.5">Lord</span>
charged you, to love the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.6">Lord</span> your
God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and
to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with
all your soul.   6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away:
and they went unto their tents.   7 Now to the <i>one</i> half
of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given <i>possession</i> in
Bashan: but unto the <i>other</i> half thereof gave Joshua among
their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent
them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,   8 And
he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your
tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and
with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the
spoil of your enemies with your brethren.   9 And the children
of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh
returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh,
which <i>is</i> in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of
Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were
possessed, according to the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p2.7">Lord</span> by the hand of Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p3">The war being ended, and ended gloriously,
Joshua, as a prudent general, disbands his army, who never designed
to make war their trade, and sends them home, to enjoy what they
had conquered, and to beat their swords into plough-shares and
their spears into pruning-hooks; and particularly the forces of
these separate tribes, who had received their inheritance on the
other side Jordan from Moses upon this condition, that their men of
war should assist the other tribes in the conquest of Canaan, which
they promised to do (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.32.32" parsed="|Num|32|32|0|0" passage="Nu 32:32">Num. xxxii.
32</scripRef>), and renewed the promise to Joshua at the opening of
the campaign, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.1.16" parsed="|Josh|1|16|0|0" passage="Jos 1:16">Josh. i. 16</scripRef>.
And, now that they had performed their bargain, Joshua publicly and
solemnly in Shiloh gives them their discharge. Whether this was
done, as it was placed, not till after the land was divided, as
some think, or whether after the war was ended, and before the
division was made, as others think (because there was no need of
their assistance in dividing the land, but only in conquering it,
nor were there any of their tribes employed as commissioners in
that affair, but only of the other ten, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.34.18-Num.34.28" parsed="|Num|34|18|34|28" passage="Nu 34:18-28">Num. xxxiv. 18</scripRef>, &amp;c.), this is certain,
it was not done till after Shiloh was made the head-quarters
(<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.2" parsed="|Josh|21|2|0|0" passage="Jos 21:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), and the land
was begun to be divided before they removed from Gilgal, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.14.6" parsed="|Josh|14|6|0|0" passage="Jos 14:6"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p4">It is probable that this army of Reubenites
and Gadites, which had led the van in all the wars of Canaan, had
sometimes, in the intervals of action, and when the rest of the
army retired into winter-quarters, some of them at least, made a
step over Jordan, for it was not far, to visit their families, and
to look after their private affairs, and perhaps tarried at home,
and sent others in their room more serviceable; but still these two
tribes and a half had their quota of troops ready, 40,000 in all,
which, whenever there was occasion, presented themselves at their
respective posts, and now attended in a body to receive their
discharge. Though their affection to their families, and concern
for their affairs, could not but make them, after so long an
absence, very desirous to return, yet, like good soldiers, they
would not move till they had orders from their general. So, though
our heavenly Father's house above be ever so desirable (it is
bishop Hall's allusion), yet must we stay on earth till our warfare
be accomplished, wait for a due discharge, and not anticipate the
time of our removal.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p5">I. Joshua dismisses them to the <i>land of
their possession,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.4" parsed="|Josh|21|4|0|0" passage="Jos 21:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. Those that were first in the assignment of their lot
were last in the enjoyment of it; they got the start of their
brethren in title, but their brethren were before them in full
possession; so <i>the last shall be first, and the first last,</i>
that there may be something of equality.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p6">II. He dismisses them with their pay; for
who goes a warfare at his own charge? <i>Return with much riches
unto your tents,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.8" parsed="|Josh|21|8|0|0" passage="Jos 21:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. Though all the land they had helped to conquer was to
go to the other tribes, yet they should have their share of the
plunder, and had so, and this was all the pay that any of the
soldiers expected; for the wars of Canaan bore their own charges.
"Go," says Joshua, "go home to your tents," that is, "your houses,"
which he calls <i>tents,</i> because they had been so much used to
tents in the wilderness; and indeed the strongest and stateliest
houses in this world are to be looked upon but as tents, mean and
movable in comparison with our house above. "Go home <i>with much
riches,</i> not only cattle, the spoil of the country, but silver
and gold, the plunder of the cities, and," 1. "Let your brethren
whom you leave behind have your good word, who have allowed you
your share in full, though the land is entirely theirs, and have
not offered to make any drawback. Do not say that you are losers by
us." 2. "Let your brethren whom you go to, who abode by the stuff,
have some share of the spoil: <i>Divide the spoil with your
brethren,</i> as that was divided which was taken in the war with
Midian, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.31.27" parsed="|Num|31|27|0|0" passage="Nu 31:27">Num. xxxi. 27</scripRef>. Let
your brethren that have wanted you all this while be the better for
you when you come home."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p7">III. He dismisses them with a very
honourable character. Though their service was a due debt, and the
performance of a promise, and they had done no more than was their
duty to do, yet he highly commends them; not only gives them up
their bonds, as it were, now that they had fulfilled the condition,
but applauds their good services. Though it was by the favour of
God and his power that Israel got possession of this land, and he
must have all the glory, yet Joshua thought there was a thankful
acknowledgment due to their brethren who assisted them, and whose
sword and bow were employed for them. God must be chiefly eyed in
our praises, yet instruments must not be altogether overlooked. He
here commends them, 1. For the readiness of their obedience to
their commanders, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.2" parsed="|Josh|21|2|0|0" passage="Jos 21:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. When Moses was gone, they remembered and observed the
charge he had given them; and all the orders which Joshua, as
general of the forces, had issued out, they had carefully obeyed,
went, and came, and did, as he appointed, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.8.9" parsed="|Matt|8|9|0|0" passage="Mt 8:9">Matt. viii. 9</scripRef>. It is as much as any thing the
soldier's praise to observe the word of command. 2. For the
constancy of their affection and adherence to their brethren:
<i>You have not left them these many days.</i> How many days he
does not say, nor can we gather it with certainty from any other
place. Calvisius and others of the best chronologers compute that
the conquering and dividing of the land was the work of about six
or seven years, and so long these separate tribes attended their
camp, and did them the best service they could. Note, It will be
the honour of those that have espoused the cause of God's Israel,
and twisted interests with them, to adhere to them, and never to
leave them till God has given them rest, and then they shall rest
with them. 3. For the faithfulness of their obedience to the divine
law. They had not only done their duty to Joshua and Israel, but,
which was best of all, they had made conscience of their duty to
God: <i>You have kept the charge,</i> or, as the word is, <i>You
have kept the keeping,</i> that is, "You have carefully and
circumspectly kept the <i>commandment of the Lord your God,</i> not
only in this particular instance of continuing in the service of
Israel to the end of the war, but, in general, you have kept up
religion in your part of the camp, a rare and excellent thing among
soldiers, and where it is worthy to be praised."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p8">IV. He dismisses them with good counsel,
not to cultivate their ground, fortify their cities, and, now that
their hands were inured to war and victory, to invade their
neighbours, and so enlarge their own territories, but to keep up
serious godliness among them in the power of it. They were not
political but pious instructions that he gave them, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.5" parsed="|Josh|21|5|0|0" passage="Jos 21:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. 1. In general, to
<i>take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law.</i> Those
that have the commandment have it in vain unless they <i>do</i> the
commandment; and it will not be done aright (so apt are we to turn
aside, and so industrious are our spiritual enemies to turn us
aside) unless we take heed, diligent heed. 2. In particular, to
<i>love the Lord our God,</i> as the best of beings, and the best
of friends; and as far as this principle rules in the heart, and is
the spring of its pulses, there will be a constant care and sincere
endeavour to <i>walk in his ways,</i> in all his ways, even those
that are narrow and up-hill, in every particular instance, in all
manner of conversation to <i>keep his commandments,</i> at all
times and in all conditions with purpose of heart to <i>cleave unto
him,</i> and to serve him and his honour, and the interest of his
kingdom among men, <i>with all our heart and with all our soul.</i>
What good counsel was here given to them is given to us all. God
give us grace to take it!</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p9">V. He dismisses them with a blessing
(<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.6" parsed="|Josh|21|6|0|0" passage="Jos 21:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), particularly
the half tribe of Manasseh, to which Joshua, as an Ephraimite, was
somewhat nearer akin than to the other two, and who perhaps were
the more loth to depart because they left one half of their own
tribe behind them, and therefore, bidding often farewell, and
lingering behind, had a second dismission and blessing, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.7" parsed="|Josh|21|7|0|0" passage="Jos 21:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Joshua not only prayed
for them as a friend, but blessed them as a father in the name of
the Lord, recommending them, their families, and affairs, to the
grace of God. Some by the blessing Joshua gave them understand the
presents he made them, in recompence of their services; but Joshua
being a prophet, and having given them one part of a prophet's
reward in the instructions he gave them (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.5" parsed="|Josh|21|5|0|0" passage="Jos 21:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), no doubt we must understand
this of the other, even the prayers he made for them, as one having
authority, and as God's vicegerent.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p10">VI. Being thus dismissed, they returned to
<i>the land of their possession</i> in a body (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.9" parsed="|Josh|21|9|0|0" passage="Jos 21:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), ferry-boats being, it is
likely, provided for their repassing Jordan. Though masters of
families may sometimes have occasion to be absent, long absent,
from their families, yet, when their business abroad is finished,
they must remember home is their place, from which they ought not
to wander as a bird from her nest.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.xxiii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.10-Josh.22.20" parsed="|Josh|22|10|22|20" passage="Jos 22:10-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.22.10-Josh.22.20">
<h4 id="Jos.xxiii-p10.3">The Altar of the Reubenites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p10.4">b. c.</span> 1444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xxiii-p11">10 And when they came unto the borders of
Jordan, that <i>are</i> in the land of Canaan, the children of
Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built
there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.   11 And
the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben
and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built
an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan,
at the passage of the children of Israel.   12 And when the
children of Israel heard <i>of it,</i> the whole congregation of
the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to
go up to war against them.   13 And the children of Israel
sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and
to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas
the son of Eleazar the priest,   14 And with him ten princes,
of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel;
and each one <i>was</i> a head of the house of their fathers among
the thousands of Israel.   15 And they came unto the children
of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of
Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them,
saying,   16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.1">Lord</span>, What trespass <i>is</i> this that ye
have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day
from following the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.2">Lord</span>, in that ye
have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.3">Lord</span>?   17 <i>Is</i> the
iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed
until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.4">Lord</span>,   18 But that ye must
turn away this day from following the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.5">Lord</span>? and it will be, <i>seeing</i> ye rebel to
day against the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.6">Lord</span>, that to morrow
he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.   19
Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession <i>be</i> unclean,
<i>then</i> pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.7">Lord</span>, wherein the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.8">Lord</span>'s tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession
among us: but rebel not against the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.9">Lord</span>, nor rebel against us, in building you an
altar beside the altar of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p11.10">Lord</span>
our God.   20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass
in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of
Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p12">Here is, I. The pious care of the separated
tribes to keep their hold of Canaan's religion, even when they were
leaving Canaan's land, that they might not be as the <i>sons of the
stranger, utterly separated from God's people,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.56.3" parsed="|Isa|56|3|0|0" passage="Isa 56:3">Isa. lvi. 3</scripRef>. In order to this, they
built a great altar on the borders of Jordan, to be a witness for
them that they were Israelites, and as such <i>partakers of the
altar of</i> the Lord, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.18" parsed="|1Cor|10|18|0|0" passage="1Co 10:18">1 Cor. x.
18</scripRef>. When they came to Jordan (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.10" parsed="|Josh|21|10|0|0" passage="Jos 21:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) they did not consult how to
preserve the remembrance of their own exploits in the wars of
Canaan, and the services they had done their brethren, by erecting
a monument to the immortal honour of the two tribes and a half; but
their relation to the church of God, together with their interest
in the communion of saints, is that which they are solicitous to
preserve and perpetuate the proofs and evidences of; and therefore
without delay, when the thing was first proposed by some among
them, who, though glad to think that they were going towards home,
were sorry to think that they were going from the altar of God,
immediately they erected this altar, which served as a bridge to
keep up their fellowship with the other tribes in the things of
God. Some think they built this altar on the Canaan-side of Jordan,
in the lot of Benjamin, that, looking over the river, they might
see the figure of the altar at Shiloh, when they could not
conveniently go to it; but it is more likely that they built it on
their own side of the water, for what had they to do to build on
another man's land without his consent? And it is said to be
<i>over-against</i> the land of Canaan; nor would there have been
any cause of suspecting it designed for sacrifice if they had not
built it among themselves. This altar was very innocently and
honestly designed, but it would have been well if, since it had in
it an appearance of evil, and might be an occasion of offence to
their brethren, they had consulted the oracle of God about it
before they did it, or at least acquainted their brethren with
their purpose, and given them the same explication of their altar
before, to prevent their jealousy, which they did afterwards, to
remove it. Their zeal was commendable, but it ought to have been
guided with discretion. There was no need to hasten the building of
an altar for the purpose for which they intended this, but they
might have taken time to consider and take advice; yet, when their
sincerity was made to appear, we do not find that they were blamed
for their rashness. God does, and men should, overlook the weakness
of an honest zeal.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p13">II. The holy jealousy of the other tribes
for the honour of God and his altar at Shiloh. Notice was
immediately brought to the princes of Israel of the setting up of
this altar, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.11" parsed="|Josh|21|11|0|0" passage="Jos 21:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>.
And they, knowing how strict and severe that law was which required
them to offer all their sacrifices in the place which God should
choose, and not elsewhere (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.12.5-Deut.12.7" parsed="|Deut|12|5|12|7" passage="De 12:5-7">Deut. xii.
5-7</scripRef>), were soon apprehensive that the setting up of
another altar was an affront to the choice which God had lately
made of a place to put his name in, and had a direct tendency to
the worship of some other God. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p14">1. Their suspicion was very excusable, for
it must be confessed the thing, <i>prima facie—at first sight,</i>
looked ill, and seemed to imply a design to set up and maintain a
competitor with the altar at Shiloh. It was no strained
<i>innuendo</i> from the building of an altar to infer an intention
to offer sacrifice upon it, and that might introduce idolatry and
end in a total apostasy from the faith and worship of the God of
Israel. So great a matter might this fire kindle. God is jealous
for his own institutions, and therefore we should be so too, and
afraid of every thing that looks like, or leads to, idolatry.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p15">2. Their zeal, upon this suspicion, was
very commendable, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.12" parsed="|Josh|21|12|0|0" passage="Jos 21:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. When they apprehended that these tribes, which by
the river Jordan were separated from them, were separating
themselves from God, they took it as the greatest injury that could
be done to themselves, and showed a readiness, if it were
necessary, to put their lives in their hands in defence of the
altar of God, and to take up arms for the chastising and reducing
of these rebels, and to prevent the spreading of the infection, if
no gentler methods would serve, by cutting off from their body the
gangrened member. They all gathered together, and Shiloh was the
place of their rendezvous, because it was in defence of the divine
charter lately granted to that place that they now appeared; their
resolution was as became a kingdom of priests, who, being devoted
to God and his service, did not <i>acknowledge their brethren</i>
nor <i>know their own children,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.9" parsed="|Deut|33|9|0|0" passage="De 33:9">Deut. xxxiii. 9</scripRef>. They would immediately <i>go
up to war against them</i> if it appeared they had revolted from
God, and were in rebellion against him. Though they were <i>bone of
their bone,</i> had been <i>companions with them in tribulation</i>
in the wilderness, and serviceable to them in the wars of Canaan,
yet, if they turn to <i>serve other gods,</i> they will treat them
as enemies, not as sons of Israel, but as <i>children of
whoredoms,</i> for so God had appointed, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.13.12-Deut.13.18" parsed="|Deut|13|12|13|18" passage="De 13:12-18">Deut. xiii. 12</scripRef>, &amp;c. They had but
lately sheathed their swords, and retired from the perils and
fatigues of war to the rest God had given them, and yet they are
willing to begin a new war rather than be any way wanting in their
duty to restrain, repress, and revenge, idolatry, and every step
towards it—a brave resolution, and which shows them hearty for
their religion, and, we hope, careful and diligent in the practice
of it themselves. Corruptions in religion are best dealt with at
first, before they get head and plead prescription.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p16">3. Their prudence in the prosecution of
this zealous resolution is no less commendable. God had appointed
them, in cases of this nature, to <i>enquire and make search</i>
(<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.13.14" parsed="|Deut|13|14|0|0" passage="De 13:14">Deut. xiii. 14</scripRef>), that they
might not wrong their brethren under pretence of righting their
religion; accordingly they resolve here not to send forth their
armies, to wage war, till they had first sent their ambassadors to
enquire into the merits of the cause, and these men of the first
rank, one out of each tribe, and Phinehas at the head of them to be
their spokesman, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.13-Josh.21.14" parsed="|Josh|21|13|21|14" passage="Jos 21:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13,
14</scripRef>. Thus was their zeal for God tempered, guided, and
governed by the <i>meekness of wisdom.</i> He that knows all
things, and hates all evil things, would not punish the worst of
criminals but he would first <i>go down and see,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.18.21" parsed="|Gen|18|21|0|0" passage="Ge 18:21">Gen. xviii. 21</scripRef>. Many an unhappy
strife would be prevented, or soon healed by an impartial and
favourable enquiry into that which is the matter of the offence.
The rectifying of mistakes and misunderstandings, and the setting
of misconstrued words and actions in a true light, would be the
most effectual way to accommodate both private and public quarrels,
and bring them to a happy period.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p17">4. The ambassadors' management of this
matter came fully up to the sense and spirit of the congregation
concerning it, and bespeaks much both of zeal and prudence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p18">(1.) The charge they draw up against their
brethren is indeed very high, and admits no other excuse than that
it was in their zeal for the honour of God, and was now intended to
justify the resentments of the congregation at Shiloh and to awaken
the supposed delinquents to clear themselves, otherwise they might
have suspended their judgment, or mollified it at least, and not
have taken it for granted, as they do here (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.16" parsed="|Josh|21|16|0|0" passage="Jos 21:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), that the building of this
altar was <i>a trespass against the God of Israel,</i> and a
trespass no less heinous than the revolt of soldiers from their
captain (<i>you turn from following the Lord</i>), and the
rebellion of subjects against their sovereign: <i>that you might
rebel this day against the Lord.</i> Hard words. It is well they
were not able to make good their charge. Let not innocency think it
strange to be thus misrepresented and accused. <i>They laid to my
charge things that I knew not.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p19">(2.) The aggravation of the crime charged
upon their brethren is somewhat far-fetched: Is <i>the iniquity of
Peor too little for us?</i> <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.17" parsed="|Josh|21|17|0|0" passage="Jos 21:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. Probably that is mentioned because Phinehas, the
first commissioner in this treaty, had signalized himself in that
matter (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.25.7" parsed="|Num|25|7|0|0" passage="Nu 25:7">Num. xxv. 7</scripRef>), and
because we may suppose they were not about the very place in which
that iniquity was committed on the other side Jordan. It is good to
recollect and improve those instances of the wrath of God, revealed
from heaven <i>against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men,</i> which have fallen out in our own time, and which we
ourselves have been eye-witnesses of. He reminds them of the
iniquity of Peor, [1.] As a very great sin, and very provoking to
God. The building of this altar seemed but a small matter, but it
might lead to an iniquity as bad as that of Peor, and therefore
must be crushed in its first rise. Note, The remembrance of great
sins committed formerly should engage us to stand upon our guard
against the least occasions and beginnings of sin; for the way of
sin is down-hill. [2.] As a sin that the whole congregation had
smarted for: "<i>There was a plague in the congregation of the
Lord,</i> of which, in one day, there died no fewer than 24,000;
was not that enough for ever to warn you against idolatry? What!
will you bring upon yourselves another plague? Are you so mad upon
an idolatrous altar that you will run yourselves thus upon the
sword's point of God's judgments? Does not our camp still feel from
that sin and the punishment of it? We <i>are not cleansed from it
unto this day;</i> there are remaining sparks," <i>First,</i> "Of
the infection of that sin; some among us so inclined to idolatry
that if you set up another altar they will soon take occasion from
that, whether you intend it or no, to worship another God."
<i>Secondly,</i> "Of the wrath of God against us for that sin. We
have reason to fear that, if we provoke God by another sin <i>to
visit,</i> he will remember against us the iniquity of Peor, as he
threatened to do that of the golden calf, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.32.34" parsed="|Exod|32|34|0|0" passage="Ex 32:34">Exod. xxxii. 34</scripRef>. And dare you wake the
sleeping lion of divine vengeance?" Note, It is a foolish and
dangerous thing for people to think their former sins little,
<i>too little for them,</i> as those do who add sin to sin, and so
<i>treasure up wrath against the day of wrath.</i> Let therefore
the time past suffice, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.3" parsed="|1Pet|4|3|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:3">1 Pet. iv.
3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p20">(3.) The reason they give for their
concerning themselves so warmly in this matter is very sufficient.
They were obliged to it, in their own necessary defence, by the law
of self-preservation: "For, if you revolt from God to-day, who
knows but to-morrow his judgments may break in upon the <i>whole
congregation</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.18" parsed="|Josh|21|18|0|0" passage="Jos 21:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>), as in the case of Achan? <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.20" parsed="|Josh|21|20|0|0" passage="Jos 21:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. He sinned, and we all smarted
for it, by which we should receive instruction, and from what God
did then infer what he may do, and fear what he will do, if we do
not witness against your sin, who are so many, and punish it."
Note, The conservators of the public peace are obliged, in justice
to the common safety, to use their power for the restraining and
suppressing of vice and profaneness, lest, if it be connived at,
the sin thereby become national, and bring God's judgments upon the
community. Nay, we are all concerned to reprove our neighbour when
he does amiss, lest we bear sin for him, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.19.17" parsed="|Lev|19|17|0|0" passage="Le 19:17">Lev. xix. 17</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p21">(4.) The offer they make is very fair and
kind (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.19" parsed="|Josh|21|19|0|0" passage="Jos 21:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), that
if they thought the land of their possession unclean, for want of
an altar, and therefore could not be easy without one, rather than
they should set up another in competition with that at Shiloh they
should be welcome to come back to the land <i>where the Lord's
tabernacle was,</i> and settle there, and they would very willingly
straiten themselves to make room for them. By this they showed a
sincere and truly pious zeal against schism, that rather than their
brethren should have any occasion to set up a separate altar,
though their pretence for it, as here supposed, was very weak and
grounded upon a great mistake, yet they were willing to part with a
considerable share of the land which God himself had by the lot
assigned them, to comprehend them and take them in among them. This
was the spirit of Israelites indeed.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.xxiii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.21-Josh.22.29" parsed="|Josh|22|21|22|29" passage="Jos 22:21-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.22.21-Josh.22.29">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xxiii-p22">21 Then the children of Reuben and the children
of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the
heads of the thousands of Israel,   22 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.1">Lord</span> God of gods, the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.2">Lord</span> God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he
shall know; if <i>it be</i> in rebellion, or if in transgression
against the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.3">Lord</span>, (save us not this
day,)   23 That we have built us an altar to turn from
following the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.4">Lord</span>, or if to offer
thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace
offerings thereon, let the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.5">Lord</span>
himself require <i>it;</i>   24 And if we have not
<i>rather</i> done it for fear of <i>this</i> thing, saying, In
time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying,
What have ye to do with the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.6">Lord</span> God
of Israel?   25 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.7">Lord</span>
hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben
and children of Gad; ye have no part in the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.8">Lord</span>: so shall your children make our children
cease from fearing the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.9">Lord</span>.  
26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not
for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:   27 But <i>that</i> it
<i>may be</i> a witness between us, and you, and our generations
after us, that we might do the service of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.10">Lord</span> before him with our burnt offerings, and
with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your
children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no
part in the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.11">Lord</span>.   28
Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should <i>so</i> say
to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say
<i>again,</i> Behold the pattern of the altar of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.12">Lord</span>, which our fathers made, not for burnt
offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it <i>is</i> a witness between
us and you.   29 God forbid that we should rebel against the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.13">Lord</span>, and turn this day from
following the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.14">Lord</span>, to build an
altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices,
beside the altar of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p22.15">Lord</span> our God
that <i>is</i> before his tabernacle.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p23">We may suppose there was a general
convention called of the princes and great men of the separate
tribes, to give audience to these ambassadors; or perhaps the army,
as it came home, was still encamped in a body, and not yet
dispersed; however it was, there were enough to represent the two
tribes and a half, and to give their sense. Their reply to the warm
remonstrance of the ten tribes is very fair and ingenuous. They do
not retort their charge, upbraid them with the injustice and
unkindness of their threatenings, nor reproach them for their rash
and hasty censures, but give them a soft answer which turns away
wrath, avoiding all those <i>grievous words which stir up
anger;</i> they demur not to their jurisdiction, nor plead that
they were not accountable to them for what they had done, nor bid
them mind their own business, but, by a free and open declaration
of their sincere intention in what they did, free themselves from
the imputation they were under, and set themselves right in the
opinion of their brethren, to do which they only needed to state
the case and put the matter in a true light.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p24">I. They solemnly protest against any design
to use this altar for sacrifice or offering, and therefore were far
from setting it up in competition with the altar at Shiloh, or from
entertaining the least thought of deserting that. They had indeed
set up that which had the shape and fashion of an altar, but they
had not dedicated it to a religious use, had had no solemnity of
its consecration, and therefore ought not to be charged with a
design to put it to any such use. To gain credit to this
protestation here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p25">1. A solemn appeal to God concerning it,
with which they begin their defence, intending thereby to give
glory to God first, and then to give satisfaction to their
brethren, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.22" parsed="|Josh|21|22|0|0" passage="Jos 21:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>.
(1.) A profound awe and reverence of God are expressed in the form
of their appeal: <i>The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he
knows.</i> Or, as it might be read somewhat closer to the original,
<i>The God of gods, Jehovah, the God of gods, Jehovah, he
knows,</i> which bespeaks his self-existence and self-sufficiency;
he is Jehovah, and has sovereignty and supremacy over all beings
and powers whatsoever, even those that are called <i>gods,</i> or
that are worshipped. This brief confession of their faith would
help to obviate and remove their brethren's suspicion of them, as
if they intended to desert the God of Israel, and worship other
gods: how could those entertain such a thought who believed him to
be God over all? Let us learn hence always to speak of God with
reverence and seriousness, and to mention his name with a solemn
pause. Those who make their appeals to heaven with a slight,
careless, "God knows," have reason to fear lest they take his name
in vain, for it is very unlike this appeal. (2.) It is a great
confidence of their own integrity which they express in the matter
of their appeal. They refer the controversy to the God of gods,
whose judgment, we are sure, is <i>according to truth,</i> such as
the guilty have reason to dread and the upright to rejoice in.
"<i>If</i> it be <i>in rebellion or transgression</i> that we have
built this altar, to confront the altar of the Lord at Shiloh, to
make a party, or to set up any new gods or worships," [1.] "<i>He
knows it</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.22" parsed="|Josh|21|22|0|0" passage="Jos 21:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>), for he is perfectly acquainted with the thoughts
and intents of the heart, and particularly with all inclinations to
idolatry (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.44.20-Ps.44.21" parsed="|Ps|44|20|44|21" passage="Ps 44:20,21">Ps. xliv. 20,
21</scripRef>); this is in a particular manner before him. We
believe he knows it, and we cannot by any arts conceal it from
him." [2.] "<i>Let him require it,</i> as we know he will, for he
is a jealous God." Nothing but a clear conscience would have thus
imprecated divine justice to avenge the rebellion if there had been
any. Note, <i>First,</i> In every thing we do in religion, it
highly concerns us to approve ourselves to God in our integrity
therein, remembering that he knows the heart. <i>Secondly,</i> When
we fall under the censures of men, it is very comfortable to be
able with a humble confidence to appeal to God concerning our
sincerity. See <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.3-1Cor.4.4" parsed="|1Cor|4|3|4|4" passage="1Co 4:3,4">1 Cor. iv. 3,
4</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p26">2. A sober apology presented to their
brethren: <i>Israel, he shall know.</i> Though the record on high,
and the witness in our bosoms, are principally to be made sure for
us, yet there is a satisfaction besides which we owe to our
brethren who doubt concerning our integrity, and which we should be
ready to give with meekness and fear. If our sincerity be known to
God, we should study likewise to let others know it by its fruits,
especially those who, though they mistake us, yet show a zeal for
the glory of God, as the ten tribes here did.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p27">3. A serious abjuration or renunciation of
the design which they were suspected to be guilty of. With this
they conclude their defence (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.29" parsed="|Josh|21|29|0|0" passage="Jos 21:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>): "<i>God forbid that we should
rebel against the Lord,</i> as we own we should if we had set up
this altar for burnt-offerings; no, we abhor the thought of it. We
have as great a value and veneration for the altar of the Lord at
Shiloh as any of the tribes of Israel have, and are as firmly
resolved to adhere to it and constantly to attend it; we have the
same concern that you have for the purity of God's worship and the
unity of his church; far be it, far be it from us, to think of
turning away from following God."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p28">II. They fully explain their true intent
and meaning in building this altar; and we have all the reason in
the world to believe that it is a true representation of their
design, and not advanced now to palliate it afterwards, as we have
reason to think that these same persons meant very honestly when
they petitioned to have their lot on that side Jordan, though then
also is was their unhappiness to be misunderstood even by Moses
himself. In their vindication, they make it out that the building
of this altar was so far from being a step towards a separation
from their brethren, and from the altar of the Lord at Shiloh,
that, on the contrary, it was really designed for a pledge and
preservative of their communion with their brethren and with the
altar of God, and a token of their resolution to <i>do the service
of the Lord before him</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.27" parsed="|Josh|21|27|0|0" passage="Jos 21:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>), and to continue to do so.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p29">1. They gave an account of the fears they
had lest, in process of time, their posterity, being seated at such
a distance from the tabernacle, should be looked upon and treated
as strangers to the commonwealth of Israel (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.24" parsed="|Josh|21|24|0|0" passage="Jos 21:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>); it was for fear of this
thing, and the word signifies a great perplexity and solicitude of
mind which they were in, until they eased themselves by this
expedient. As they were returning home (and we may suppose it was
not thought of before, else they would have made Joshua acquainted
with their purpose), some of them in discourse started this matter,
and the rest took the hint, and represented to themselves and one
another a very melancholy prospect of what might probably happen in
after-ages, that their children would be looked upon by the other
tribes as having no interest in the altar of God and the sacrifices
there offered. Now indeed they were owned as brethren, and were as
welcome at the tabernacle as any other of the tribes; but what if
their children after them should be disowned? They, by reason of
their distance, and the interposition of Jordan, which it was not
easy at all times to pass and repass, could not be so numerous and
constant in their attendance on the three yearly feasts as the
other tribes, to make a continual claim to the privileges of
Israelites, and would therefore be looked upon as inconsiderable
members of their church, and by degrees would be rejected as not
members of it at all: <i>So shall your children</i> (who in their
pride will be apt to monopolize the privileges of the altar)
<i>make our children</i> (who perhaps will not be so careful as
they ought to be to keep hold of those privileges) <i>cease from
fearing the Lord.</i> Note, (1.) Those that are cut off from public
ordinances are likely to lose all religion, and will by degrees
cease from fearing the Lord. Though the form and profession of
godliness are kept up by many without the life and power of it, yet
the life and power of it will not long be kept up without the form
and profession. You take away grace if you take away the means of
grace. (2.) Those who have themselves found the comfort and benefit
of God's ordinances cannot but desire to preserve and perpetuate
the entail of them upon their seed, and use all possible
precautions that their children after them may not be <i>made to
cease from following the Lord,</i> or be looked upon as having no
part in him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p30">2. The project they had to prevent this,
<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.26-Josh.21.28" parsed="|Josh|21|26|21|28" passage="Jos 21:26-28"><i>v.</i> 26-28</scripRef>.
"Therefore, to secure an interest in the altar of God to those who
shall come after us, and to prove their title to it, <i>we said,
Let us build an altar, to be a witness between us and you,</i>"
that, having this copy of the altar in their custody, it might be
produced as an evidence of their right to the privilege of the
original. Every one that saw this altar, and observed that it was
never used for sacrifice and offering, would enquire what was the
meaning of it, and this answer would be given to that enquiry, that
it was built by those separate tribes, in token of their communion
with their brethren and their joint-interest with them in the altar
of the Lord. Christ is the great altar that sanctifies every gift;
the best evidence of our interest in him will be the pattern of his
Spirit in our hearts, and our conformity to him. If we can produce
this it will be a testimony for us that we have <i>a part in the
Lord,</i> and an earnest of our perseverance in following him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.xxiii-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.22.30-Josh.22.34" parsed="|Josh|22|30|22|34" passage="Jos 22:30-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.22.30-Josh.22.34">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.xxiii-p31">30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes
of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which
<i>were</i> with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben
and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it
pleased them.   31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest
said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and
to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p31.1">Lord</span> <i>is</i> among us, because ye have
not committed this trespass against the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p31.2">Lord</span>: now ye have delivered the children of
Israel out of the hand of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p31.3">Lord</span>.
  32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the
princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the
children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of
Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
  33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the
children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against
them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben
and Gad dwelt.   34 And the children of Reuben and the
children of Gad called the altar <i>Ed:</i> for it <i>shall be</i>
a witness between us that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.xxiii-p31.4">Lord</span>
<i>is</i> God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p32">We have here the good issue of this
controversy, which, if there had not been on both sides a
disposition to peace, as there was on both sides a zeal for God,
might have been of ill consequence; for quarrels about religion,
for want of wisdom and love, often prove the most fierce and most
difficult to be accommodated. But these contending parties, when
the matter was fairly stated and argued, were so happy as to
understand one another very well, and so the difference was
presently compromised.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p33">I. The ambassadors were exceedingly pleased
when the separate tribes had given in a protestation of the
innocency of their intentions in building this altar. 1. The
ambassadors did not call in question their sincerity in that
protestation, did not say, "You tell us you design it not for
sacrifice and offering, but who can believe you? What security will
you give us that it shall never be so used?" No. <i>Charity
believes all things, hopes all things,</i> believes and hopes the
best, and is very loth to give the lie to any. 2. They did not
upbraid them with the rashness and unadvisedness of this action,
did not tell them, "If you would do such a thing, and with this
good intention, yet you might have had so much respect for Joshua
and Eleazar as to have advised with them, or at least have made
them acquainted with it, and so have saved the trouble and expense
of this embassy." But a little want of consideration and good
manners should be excused and overlooked in those who, we have
reason to think, mean honestly. 3. Much less did they go about to
fish for evidence to make out their charge, because they had once
exhibited it, but were glad to have their mistake rectified, and
were not at all ashamed to own it. Proud and peevish spirits, when
they have passed an unjust censure upon their brethren, though ever
so much convincing evidence be brought of the injustice of it, will
stand to it, and can by no means be persuaded to retract it. These
ambassadors were not so prejudiced; their brethren's vindication
pleased them, <scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.30" parsed="|Josh|21|30|0|0" passage="Jos 21:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>. They looked upon their innocency as a token of God's
presence (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.31" parsed="|Josh|21|31|0|0" passage="Jos 21:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>),
especially when they found that what was done was so far from being
an indication of their growing cool to the altar of God that, one
the contrary, it was a fruit of their zealous affection to it:
<i>You have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the
Lord,</i> that is, "You have not, as we feared, delivered them into
the hand of the Lord, or exposed them to his judgments by the
trespass we were jealous of."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p34">II. The congregation was abundantly
satisfied when their ambassadors reported to them their brethren's
apology for what they had done. It should seem they staid together,
at least by their representatives, until they heard the issue
(<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.32" parsed="|Josh|21|32|0|0" passage="Jos 21:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>); and when
they understood the truth of the matter it pleased them (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.33" parsed="|Josh|21|33|0|0" passage="Jos 21:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>), and they <i>blessed
God.</i> Note, Our brethren's constancy in religion, their zeal for
the power of godliness, and their keeping the <i>unity of the
Spirit</i> in faith and love, notwithstanding the jealousies
conceived of them as breaking the unity of the church, are things
which we should be very glad to be satisfied of, and should make
the matter both of our rejoicing and of our thanksgiving; let God
have the glory of it, and let us take the comfort of it. Being thus
satisfied, they laid down their arms immediately, and were so far
from any thoughts of prosecuting the war they had been meditating
against their brethren that we may suppose them wishing for the
next feast, when they should meet them at Shiloh.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.xxiii-p35">III. The separate tribes were gratified,
and, since they had a mind to preserve among them this pattern of
the altar of God, though there was not likely to be that occasion
for it which they fancied, yet Joshua and the princes let them have
their humour, and did not give orders for the demolishing of it,
though there was as much reason to fear that it might in process of
time be an occasion of idolatry as there was to hope that ever it
might be a preservation from idolatry. Thus did <i>the strong bear
the infirmities of the weak.</i> Only care was taken that they
having explained the meaning of their altar, that it was intended
for no more than a testimony of their communion with the altar at
Shiloh, this explanation should be recorded, which was done
according to the usage of those times by giving a name to it
signifying so much (<scripRef id="Jos.xxiii-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.21.34" parsed="|Josh|21|34|0|0" passage="Jos 21:34"><i>v.</i>
34</scripRef>); they called it <i>Ed, a witness</i> to that, and no
more, a witness of the relation they stood in to God and Israel,
and of their concurrence with the rest of the tribes in the same
common faith, <i>that Jehovah he is God,</i> he and no other. It
was a witness to posterity of their care to transmit their religion
pure and entire to them, and would be a witness against them if
ever they should forsake God and turn from following after him.</p>
</div></div2>