mh_parser/vol_split/6 - Joshua/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Jos.iv" n="iv" next="Jos.v" prev="Jos.iii" progress="1.44%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Jos.iv-p0.1">J O S H U A</h2>
<h3 id="Jos.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jos.iv-p1">This chapter, and that which follows it, give us
the history of Israel's passing through Jordan into Canaan, and a
very memorable history it is. Long afterwards, they are told to
remember what God did for them between Shittim (whence they
decamped, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.1" parsed="|Josh|3|1|0|0" passage="Jos 3:1">ver. 1</scripRef>) and
Gilgal, where they next pitched, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.19 Bible:Mic.6.5" parsed="|Josh|4|19|0|0;|Mic|6|5|0|0" passage="Jos 4:19,Mic 6:5"><i>ch.</i> iv. 19, Mic. vi. 5</scripRef>, that
they might know the righteousness of the Lord. By Joshua's order
they marched up to the river's side, (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.1" parsed="|Josh|3|1|0|0" passage="Jos 3:1">ver. 1</scripRef>), and then almighty power led them
through it. They passed through the Red Sea unexpectedly, and in
their flight by night, but they have notice some time before of
their passing through Jordan, and their expectations raised. I. The
people are directed to follow the ark, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.2-Josh.3.4" parsed="|Josh|3|2|3|4" passage="Jos 3:2-4">ver. 2-4</scripRef>. II. They are commanded to sanctify
themselves, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.5" parsed="|Josh|3|5|0|0" passage="Jos 3:5">ver. 5</scripRef>. III. The
priests with the ark are ordered to lead the van, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.6" parsed="|Josh|3|6|0|0" passage="Jos 3:6">ver. 6</scripRef>. IV. Joshua is magnified and
made commander in chief, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.7-Josh.3.8" parsed="|Josh|3|7|3|8" passage="Jos 3:7,8">ver. 7,
8</scripRef>. V. Public notice is given of what God is about to do
for them, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.9-Josh.3.13" parsed="|Josh|3|9|3|13" passage="Jos 3:9-13">ver. 9-13</scripRef>. IV.
The thing is done, Jordan is divided, and Israel brought safely
through it, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.14-Josh.3.17" parsed="|Josh|3|14|3|17" passage="Jos 3:14-17">ver. 14-17</scripRef>.
This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.</p>
<scripCom id="Jos.iv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3" parsed="|Josh|3|0|0|0" passage="Jos 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jos.iv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.1-Josh.3.6" parsed="|Josh|3|1|3|6" passage="Jos 3:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.3.1-Josh.3.6">
<h4 id="Jos.iv-p1.12">Preparation for Passing over the
Jordan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p1.13">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.iv-p2">1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they
removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children
of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.   2 And
it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through
the host;   3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye
see the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p2.1">Lord</span> your God, and the priests the Levites
bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
  4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two
thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know
the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed <i>this</i> way
heretofore.   5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify
yourselves: for to morrow the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p2.2">Lord</span>
will do wonders among you.   6 And Joshua spake unto the
priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over
before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and
went before the people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p3">Rahab, in mentioning to the spies the
<i>drying up of the Red Sea</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.2.10" parsed="|Josh|2|10|0|0" passage="Jos 2:10"><i>ch.</i> ii. 10</scripRef>), the report of which
terrified the Canaanites more than anything else, intimates that
those on that side the water expected that Jordan, that great
defence of their country, would in like manner give way to them.
Whether the Israelites had any expectation of it does not appear.
God often <i>did things for them which they looked not for,</i>
<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.64.3" parsed="|Isa|64|3|0|0" passage="Isa 64:3">Isa. lxiv. 3</scripRef>. Now here we
are told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p4">I. That they <i>came to Jordan and lodged
there,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.1" parsed="|Josh|3|1|0|0" passage="Jos 3:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>.
Though they were not yet told how they should pass the river, and
were unprovided for the passing of it in any ordinary way, yet they
went forward in faith, having been told (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.1.11" parsed="|Josh|1|11|0|0" passage="Jos 1:11"><i>ch.</i> i. 11</scripRef>) that they should pass it.
We must go on in the way of our duty though we foresee
difficulties, trusting God to help us through them when we come to
them. Let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on divine
sufficiency for that which we find ourselves not sufficient for. In
this march Joshua led them, and particular notice is taken of his
early rising as there is afterwards upon other occasions (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.6.12 Bible:Josh.7.16 Bible:Josh.8.10" parsed="|Josh|6|12|0|0;|Josh|7|16|0|0;|Josh|8|10|0|0" passage="Jos 6:12,7:16,8:10"><i>ch.</i> vi. 12; vii. 16; viii.
10</scripRef>), which intimates how little he loved his ease, how
much he loved his business, and what care and pains he was willing
to take in it. Those that would bring great things to pass must
rise early. <i>Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty.</i>
Joshua herein set a good example to the officers under him, and
taught them to rise early, and to all that are in public stations
especially to attend continually to the duty of their place.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p5">II. That the people were directed to follow
the ark. Officers were appointed to go through the host to give
these directions (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.2" parsed="|Josh|3|2|0|0" passage="Jos 3:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>), that every Israelite might know both what to do and
what to depend upon.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p6">1. They might depend upon the ark to lead
them; that is, upon God himself, of whose presence the ark was an
instituted sign and token. It seems, the pillar of cloud and fire
was removed, else that would have led them, unless we suppose that
it now hovered over the ark and so they had a double guide: honour
was put upon the ark, and a defence upon that glory. It is called
here the <i>ark of the covenant of the Lord their God.</i> What
greater encouragement could they have than this, that the Lord was
their God, a God in covenant with them? Here was the <i>ark of the
covenant;</i> if God be ours, we need not fear any evil. He was
nigh to them, present with them, went before them: what could come
amiss to those that were thus guided, thus guarded? Formerly the
ark was carried in the midst of the camp, but now it went before
them to <i>search out a resting-place</i> for them (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.33" parsed="|Num|10|33|0|0" passage="Nu 10:33">Num. x. 33</scripRef>), and, as it were, to give
them livery and seisin of the promised land, and put them in
possession of it. In the ark the tables of the law were, and over it
the mercy-seat; for the divine law and grace reigning in the heart
are the surest pledges of God's presence and favour, and those that
would be led to the heavenly Canaan must take the law of God for
their guide (<i>if thou wilt enter into life keep the
commandments</i>) and have the great propitiation in their eye,
<i>looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal
life.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p7">2. They might depend upon the priests and
Levites, who were appointed for that purpose to carry the ark
before them. The work of ministers is to hold forth the word of
life, and to take care of the administration of those ordinances
which are the tokens of God's presence and the instruments of his
power and grace; and herein they must go before the people of God
in their way to heaven.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p8">3. The people must follow the ark:
<i>Remove from your place and go after it,</i> (1.) As those that
are resolved never to forsake it. Wherever God's ordinances are,
there we must be; if they flit, we must remove and go after them.
(2.) As those that are entirely satisfied in its guidance, that it
will lead in the best way to the best end; and therefore, <i>Lord,
I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.</i> This must be all
their care, to attend the motions of the ark, and follow it with an
implicit faith. Thus must we walk after the rule of the word and
the direction of the Spirit in every thing, so shall <i>peace be
upon us,</i> as it now was upon the Israel of God. They must follow
the priests as far as they carried the ark, but no further; so we
must follow our ministers only as they follow Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p9">4. In following the ark, they must <i>keep
their distance,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.4" parsed="|Josh|3|4|0|0" passage="Jos 3:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. They must none of them come within a thousand yards
of the ark. (1.) They must thus express their awful and reverent
regard to that token of God's presence, lest its familiarity with
them should breed contempt. This charge to them not to come near
was agreeable to that dispensation of darkness, bondage, and
terror: but we now through Christ have access with boldness. (2.)
Thus it was made to appear that the ark was able to protect itself,
and needed not to be guarded by the men of war, but was itself a
guard to them. With what a noble defiance of the enemy did it leave
all it its friends half a mile behind except the unarmed priests
that carried it as perfectly sufficient for its own safety and
theirs that followed it! (3.) Thus it was the better seen by those
that were to be led by it: <i>That you may know the way by which
you must go,</i> seeing it, as it were, chalked out or tracked by
the ark. Had they been allowed to come near it, they would have
surrounded it, and none would have had the sight of it but those
that were close to it; but, as it was put at such a distance before
them, they would all have the satisfaction of seeing it, and would
be animated by the sight. And it was with good reason that this
provision was made for their encouragement: <i>For you have not
passed this way heretofore.</i> This had been the character of all
their way through the wilderness, it was an untrodden path, but
this especially through Jordan. While we are here we must expect
and prepare for unusual events, to pass ways that we have not
passed before, and much more when we go hence; our way through the
<i>valley of the shadow of death</i> is a way we have not gone
before, which makes it the more formidable. But, if we have the
assurance of God's presence, we need not fear; that will furnish us
with such strength as we never had when we come to do a work we
never did.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p10">III. They were commanded to sanctify
themselves, that they might be prepared to attend the ark; and with
good reason: For <i>to-morrow the Lord will do wonders among
you,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.5" parsed="|Josh|3|5|0|0" passage="Jos 3:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. See
how magnificently he speaks of God's works: he <i>doeth
wonders,</i> and is therefore to be adored, admired, and trusted
in. See how intimately acquainted Joshua was with the divine
counsels: he could tell before-hand what god would do, and when.
See what preparation we must make to receive the discoveries of
God's glory and the communications of his grace: we must sanctify
ourselves. This we must do when we are to attend the ark, and God
by it is about to do wonders among us; we must separate ourselves
from all other cares, devote ourselves to God's honour, and
<i>cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.</i>
The people of Israel were now entering into the holy land, and
therefore must sanctify themselves. God was about to give them
uncommon instances of his favour, which by meditation and prayer
they must compose their minds to a very careful observation of,
that they might give God the glory, and take to themselves the
comfort, of these appearances.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p11">IV. The priests were ordered to take up the
ark and carry it <i>before the people,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.6" parsed="|Josh|3|6|0|0" passage="Jos 3:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. It was the Levites' work
ordinarily to carry the ark, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.15" parsed="|Num|4|15|0|0" passage="Nu 4:15">Num. iv.
15</scripRef>. But on this great occasion the priests were ordered
to do it. And they did as they were commanded, <i>took up the
ark,</i> and did not think themselves disparaged, <i>went before
the people,</i> and did not think themselves exposed; the ark they
carried was both their honour and their defence. And now we may
suppose that prayer of Moses used, when the ark set forward
(<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.35" parsed="|Num|10|35|0|0" passage="Nu 10:35">Num. x. 35</scripRef>), <i>Rise up,
Lord and let they enemies be scattered.</i> Magistrates are here
instructed to stir up ministers to their work, and to make use of
their authority for the furtherance of religion. Ministers must
likewise learn to go before in the way of God, and not to shrink
nor draw back when dangers are before them. They must expect to be
most struck at, but they <i>know whom they have trusted.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.iv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.7-Josh.3.13" parsed="|Josh|3|7|3|13" passage="Jos 3:7-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.3.7-Josh.3.13">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.iv-p12">7 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p12.1">Lord</span>
said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the
sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses,
<i>so</i> I will be with thee.   8 And thou shalt command the
priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come
to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in
Jordan.   9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come
hither, and hear the words of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p12.2">Lord</span> your God.   10 And Joshua said, Hereby
ye shall know that the living God <i>is</i> among you, and
<i>that</i> he will without fail drive out from before you the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites,
and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.   11
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth
passeth over before you into Jordan.   12 Now therefore take
you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a
man.   13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of
the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p12.3">Lord</span>, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in
the waters of Jordan, <i>that</i> the waters of Jordan shall be cut
off <i>from</i> the waters that come down from above; and they
shall stand upon a heap.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p13">We may observe here how God honours Joshua,
and by this wondrous work he is about to do designs to make Israel
know that he is their governor, and then how Joshua honours God and
endeavours by it to make Israel know that he is their God. Thus
those that honour God he will honour, and those whom he has
advanced should do what they can in their places to exalt him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p14">I. God speaks to Joshua to put honour upon
him, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.7-Josh.3.8" parsed="|Josh|3|7|3|8" passage="Jos 3:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. 1. It
was a great honour God did him that he spoke to him as he had done
to Moses from off the mercy-seat, before the priests removed it
with the ark. This would make Joshua easy in himself and great
among the people, that God was pleased to speak so familiarly to
him. 2. That he designed to <i>magnify him in the sight of all
Israel.</i> He had told him before that he would be with him
(<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.1.5" parsed="|Josh|1|5|0|0" passage="Jos 1:5"><i>ch.</i> i. 5</scripRef>), and that
comforted him, but now all Israel shall see it, and this would
magnify him. Those are truly great with whom God is and whom he
employs and owns in his service. God magnified him because he would
have the people magnify him. Pious magistrates are to be highly
honoured and esteemed as public blessings, and the more we see of
God with them the more we should honour them. By the dividing of
the Red Sea Israel was convinced that God was with Moses in
bringing them out of Egypt; therefore they are said to be
<i>baptized unto Moses in the sea,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.2" parsed="|1Cor|10|2|0|0" passage="1Co 10:2">1 Cor. x. 2</scripRef>. And upon that occasion they
<i>believed him,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.14.31" parsed="|Exod|14|31|0|0" passage="Ex 14:31">Exod. xiv.
31</scripRef>. And now, by the dividing of Jordan, they shall be
convinced that God is in like manner with Joshua in bringing them
into Canaan. God had magnified Joshua before on several occasions,
but now he began to magnify him as the successor of Moses in the
government. Some have observed that it was at the banks of Jordan
that God began to magnify Joshua, and at the same place he began to
magnify our Lord Jesus as Mediator; for John was baptizing at
Bethabara, <i>the house of passage,</i> and there it was that when
our Saviour was baptized it was proclaimed concerning him, <i>This
is my beloved Son.</i> 3. That by him he gave orders to the priests
themselves, though they were his immediate attendants (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.8" parsed="|Josh|3|8|0|0" passage="Jos 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>Thou shalt command
the priests,</i> that is, "Thou shalt make known to them the divine
command in this matter, and take care that they observe it, to
stand still at the brink of Jordan while the waters part, that it
may appear to be <i>at the presence of the Lord,</i> of the mighty
God of Jacob, that Jordan is <i>driven back,</i>" <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.114.5 Bible:Ps.114.7" parsed="|Ps|114|5|0|0;|Ps|114|7|0|0" passage="Ps 114:5,7">Ps. cxiv. 5, 7</scripRef>. God could have
divided the river without the priests, but they could not without
him. The priests must herein set a good example to the people, and
teach them to do their utmost in the service of God, and trust him
for help in time of need.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p15">II. Joshua speaks to the people, and
therein honours God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p16">1. He demands attention (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.9" parsed="|Josh|3|9|0|0" passage="Jos 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): "<i>Come hither</i> to me, as
many as can come within hearing, and, before you see the works,
<i>hear the words of the Lord your God,</i> that you may compare
them together and they may illustrate each other." He had commanded
them to sanctify themselves, and therefore calls them to <i>hear
the word of God,</i> for that is the ordinary means of
sanctification, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:John.17.17" parsed="|John|17|17|0|0" passage="Joh 17:17">John xvii.
17</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p17">2. He now tells them, at length, by what
way they should pass over Jordan, by the stopping of its streams
(<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.13" parsed="|Josh|3|13|0|0" passage="Jos 3:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): <i>The
waters of Jordan shall be cut off.</i> God could by a sudden and
miraculous frost have congealed the surface, so that they might all
have gone over upon the ice; but that being a thing sometimes done
even in that country by the ordinary power of nature (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.30" parsed="|Job|38|30|0|0" passage="Job 38:30">Job xxxviii. 30</scripRef>), it would not have
been such an honour to Israel's God, nor such a terror to Israel's
enemies; it must therefore be done in such a way as had no
precedent but the dividing of the Red Sea: and that miracle is here
repeated, to show that God has the same power to finish the
salvation of his people that he had to begin it, for he is the
<i>Alpha</i> and the <i>Omega;</i> and that <i>the word of the
Lord</i> (as the Chaldee reads it, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.7" parsed="|Josh|3|7|0|0" passage="Jos 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), the essential, eternal Word, was
as truly with Joshua as he was with Moses. And by the dividing of
the waters from the waters, and the making of the dry land to
appear which had been covered, God would remind them of that in
which Moses by revelation had instructed them concerning the work
of creation (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.1.6 Bible:Gen.1.9" parsed="|Gen|1|6|0|0;|Gen|1|9|0|0" passage="Ge 1:6,9">Gen. i. 6, 9</scripRef>),
that by what they now saw their belief of that which they there
read might be assisted, and they might know that the God whom they
worshipped was the same God that made the world and that it was the
same power that was engaged and employed for them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p18">3. The people having been directed before
to follow the ark are here told that it should <i>pass before them
into Jordan,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.11" parsed="|Josh|3|11|0|0" passage="Jos 3:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. Observe, (1.) The ark of the covenant must be their
guide. During the reign of Moses, the cloud was their guide, but
now, in Joshua's reign, the ark; both were visible signs of God's
presence and presidency, but divine grace under the Mosaic
dispensation was wrapt up as in a cloud and covered with a veil,
while by Christ, our Joshua, it is revealed in the ark of the
covenant unveiled. (2.) It is called <i>the ark of the covenant of
the Lord of all the earth.</i> "He that is your God (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.9" parsed="|Josh|3|9|0|0" passage="Jos 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), in covenant with you, is
the <i>Lord of all the earth,</i> has both right and power to
command, control, use, and dispose of all nations and of all
creatures. He is the <i>Lord of all the earth,</i> therefore he
needs not you, nor can he be benefited by you; therefore it is your
honour and happiness to have him in covenant with you: if he be
yours, all the creatures are at your service, and when he pleases
shall be employed for you." When we are praising and worshipping
God as Israel's God, and ours through Christ, we must remember that
he is the <i>Lord of the whole earth,</i> and reverence him and
trust in him accordingly. Some observe an accent in the original,
which they think directs us to translate it somewhat more
emphatically, <i>Behold the ark of the covenant, even the ark of
the Lord, or even of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth.</i>
(3.) They are told that the ark should <i>pass before them into
Jordan.</i> God would not appoint them to go any where but where he
himself would go before them and go with them; and they might
safely venture, even into Jordan itself, if the ark of the covenant
led them. While we make God's precepts our rule, his promises our
stay, and his providence our guide, we need not dread the greatest
difficulties we may meet with in the way of duty. That promise is
sure to all the seed (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.43.2" parsed="|Isa|43|2|0|0" passage="Isa 43:2">Isa. xliii.
2</scripRef>), <i>When thou passes through the waters I will be
with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow
thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p19">4. From what God was now about to do for
them he infers an assurance of what he would yet further do. This
he mentions first, so much was his heart upon it, and so great a
satisfaction did it give him (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.10" parsed="|Josh|3|10|0|0" passage="Jos 3:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>): "<i>Hereby you shall know that
the living God</i> (the true God, and God of power, not one of the
dead gods of the heathen) <i>is among you,</i> though you see him
not, nor are to have any image of him, is among you to give you
law, secure your welfare, and receive your homage,—is among you in
this great undertaking now before you; and therefore you shall,
nay, he himself <i>will, without fail, drive out from before you
the Canaanites.</i>" So that the dividing of Jordan was intended to
be to them, (1.) A sure token of God's presence with them. By this
they could not but <i>know that God was among them,</i> unless
their unbelief was as obstinate against the most convincing
evidence as that of their fathers was, who presently after God had
divided the Red Sea before them, impudently asked, <i>Is the Lord
among us, or is he not?</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.17.7" parsed="|Exod|17|7|0|0" passage="Ex 17:7">Exod. xvii.
7</scripRef>. (2.) A sure pledge of the conquest of Canaan. "If the
living God is among you, <i>expelling he will expel</i> (so the
Hebrew phrase is) <i>from before you the Canaanites.</i>" He will
do it certainly, and do it effectually. What should hinder him?
What can stand in his way before whom rivers are divided and dried
up? The forcing of the lines was certain presage of the ruin of all
their hosts: how could they stand their ground when Jordan itself
was driven back? When they had not courage to dispute this pass,
but trembled at the approach of the <i>mighty God of Jacob</i>
(<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.114.7" parsed="|Ps|114|7|0|0" passage="Ps 114:7">Ps. cxiv. 7</scripRef>), what
opposition could they ever make after this? This assurance which
Joshua here gives them was so well grounded that it would enable
one Israelite to chase a thousand Canaanites, and two to put ten
thousand to flight; and it would be abundantly strengthened by
remembering the song of Moses, dictated forty years before, which
plainly foretold the dividing of Jordan and the influence it would
have upon the driving out of the Canaanites. <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.15.15-Exod.15.17" parsed="|Exod|15|15|15|17" passage="Ex 15:15-17">Exod. xv. 15-17</scripRef>, "<i>The inhabitants of
Canaan shall melt away,</i> and so be effectually driven out; they
shall be as still as a stone till thy people pass over, and then
thou shalt bring them in and plant them." Note, God's glorious
appearances for his church and people ought to be improved by us
for the encouragement of our faith and hope for the future. <i>As
for God, his work is perfect.</i> If Jordan's flood cannot keep
them out, Canaan's force cannot turn them out again.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p20">5. He directs them to get twelve men ready,
one of each tribe, who must be within call to receive such orders
as Joshua should afterwards give them, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.12" parsed="|Josh|3|12|0|0" passage="Jos 3:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. It does not appear that they
were to attend the priests, and walk with them when they carried
the ark, that they might more immediately be witnesses of the
wonders done by it, as some think; but they were to be at hand for
the service they were called to, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.4.4" parsed="|Josh|4|4|0|0" passage="Jos 4:4"><i>ch.</i> iv. 4</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.iv-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.14-Josh.3.17" parsed="|Josh|3|14|3|17" passage="Jos 3:14-17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.3.14-Josh.3.17">
<h4 id="Jos.iv-p20.4">The Passage over the Jordan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p20.5">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.iv-p21">14 And it came to pass, when the people removed
from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the
ark of the covenant before the people;   15 And as they that
bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests
that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan
overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)   16 That
the waters which came down from above stood <i>and</i> rose up upon
a heap very far from the city Adam, that <i>is</i> beside Zaretan:
and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, <i>even</i>
the salt sea, failed, <i>and</i> were cut off: and the people
passed over right against Jericho.   17 And the priests that
bare the ark of the covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.iv-p21.1">Lord</span> stood firm on dry ground in the midst of
Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all
the people were passed clean over Jordan.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p22">Here we have a short and plain account of
the dividing of the river Jordan, and the passage of the children
of Israel through it. The story is not garnished with the flowers
of rhetoric (gold needs not to be painted), but it tell us, in
short, matter of fact.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p23">I. That this river was now broader and
deeper than usually it was at other times of the year, <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.15" parsed="|Josh|3|15|0|0" passage="Jos 3:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. The melting of the snow
on the mountains of Lebanon, near which this river had its rise,
was the occasion that at the time of harvest, barley-harvest, which
was the spring of the year, Jordan overflowed all his banks. This
great flood, just at that time (which Providence might have
restrained for once, of which he might have ordered them to cross
at another time of the year) very much magnified the power of God
and his kindness to Israel. Note, Though the opposition given to
the salvation of God's people have all imaginable advantages, yet
God can and will conquer it. Let the banks of Jordan be filled to
the brink, filled till they run over, it is as easy to Omnipotence
to divide them, and dry them up, as if they were ever so narrow,
ever so shallow; it is all one with the Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p24">II. That as soon as ever the feet of the
priests dipped in the brim of the water the stream stopped
immediately, as if a sluice had been led down to dam it up,
<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.15-Josh.3.16" parsed="|Josh|3|15|3|16" passage="Jos 3:15,16"><i>v.</i> 15, 16</scripRef>. So
that the waters above swelled, stood on a heap, and ran back, and
yet, as it should seem did not spread, but congealed, which
unaccountable rising of the river was observed with amazement by
those that live upward upon it many miles off, and the remembrance
of it remained among them long after: the waters on the other side
this invisible dam ran down of course, and left the bottom of the
river dry as far downward, it is likely, as they swelled upward.
When they passed through the red Sea, the waters were a wall on
either hand, here only on the right-hand. Note, The God of nature
can, when he pleases, change the course of nature, and alter its
properties, can turn fluids into solids, <i>waters into standing
rocks,</i> as, on the contrary, <i>rocks into standing waters,</i>
to serve his own purposes. See <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.114.5 Bible:Ps.114.8" parsed="|Ps|114|5|0|0;|Ps|114|8|0|0" passage="Ps 114:5,8">Ps.
cxiv. 5, 8</scripRef>. What cannot God do? What will he not do for
the perfecting of his peoples, salvation? Sometimes he <i>cleaves
the earth with rivers</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Hab.3.9" parsed="|Hab|3|9|0|0" passage="Hab 3:9">Hab. iii.
9</scripRef>), and sometimes, as here, cleaves the rivers without
earth. It is easy to imagine how, when the course of this strong
rapid stream was arrested on a sudden, <i>the waters roared and
were troubled,</i> so that the mountains seemed to <i>shake with
the swelling thereof</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.46.3" parsed="|Ps|46|3|0|0" passage="Ps 46:3">Ps. xlvi.
3</scripRef>), how <i>the floods lifted up their voice, the floods
lifted up their waves,</i> while the Lord on high showed himself
<i>mightier than the noise of</i> these <i>many waters,</i>
<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.93.3-Ps.93.4" parsed="|Ps|93|3|93|4" passage="Ps 93:3,4">Ps. xciii. 3, 4</scripRef>. With
reference to this the prophet asks, <i>Was the Lord displeased
against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers?</i>
<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.6" osisRef="Bible:Hab.3.8" parsed="|Hab|3|8|0|0" passage="Hab 3:8">Hab. iii. 8</scripRef>. No, <i>Thou
wentest forth for the salvation of thy people,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.7" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.13" parsed="|Josh|3|13|0|0" passage="Jos 3:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. In allusion to this, it
is foretold, among the great things God will do for the gospel
church in the latter days, that the great river Euphrates shall be
dried up, that <i>the way of the kings of the east may be
prepared,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.8" osisRef="Bible:Rev.16.12" parsed="|Rev|16|12|0|0" passage="Re 16:12">Rev. xvi. 12</scripRef>.
When the time has come for Israel's entrance into the land of
promise all difficulties shall be conquered, <i>mountains shall
become plains</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.iv-p24.9" osisRef="Bible:Zech.4.7" parsed="|Zech|4|7|0|0" passage="Zec 4:7">Zech. iv.
7</scripRef>) and rivers become dry, for the <i>ransomed of the
Lord to pass over.</i> When we have finished our pilgrimage through
this wilderness, death will be like this Jordan between us and the
heavenly Canaan, but the ark of the covenant has prepare us a way
through it; it is the last enemy that shall be destroyed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p25">III. That <i>the people passed over right
against Jericho,</i> which was, 1. An instance of their boldness,
and a noble defiance of their enemies. Jericho was one of the
strongest cities, and yet they dared to face it at their first
entrance. 2. It was an encouragement to them to venture through
Jordan, for Jericho was a goodly city and the country about it
extremely pleasant; and, having that in view as their own, what
difficulties could discourage them from taking possession? 3. It
would increase the confusion and terror of their enemies, who no
doubt strictly observed their motions, and were the amazed
spectators of this work of wonders.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.iv-p26">IV. That the priests <i>stood still in the
midst of Jordan while all the people passed over,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.3.17" parsed="|Josh|3|17|0|0" passage="Jos 3:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. There the ark was
appointed to be, to show that the same power that parted the waters
kept them parted as long as there was occasion; and had not the
divine presence, of which the ark was a token, been their security,
the waters would have returned upon them and buried them. There the
priests were appointed to stand still, 1. To try their faith,
whether they could venture to take their post, when god assigned it
to them, with mountains of water over their heads. As they made a
bold step when they set the first foot into Jordan, so now they
made a bold stand when they tarried longest in Jordan; but they
knew they carried their own protection with them. Note, Ministers
in times of peril should be examples of courage and confidence in
the divine goodness. 2. It was to encourage the faith of the
people, that they might go triumphantly into Canaan, and <i>fear no
evil,</i> no, not in this <i>valley of the shadow of death</i> (for
so the divided river was), being assured of God's presence, which
interposed between them and the greatest danger, between them and
the proud waters, which otherwise had gone over their souls. Thus
in the greatest dangers the saints are <i>comforted</i> with <i>his
rod and his staff,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.iv-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.23.4" parsed="|Ps|23|4|0|0" passage="Ps 23:4">Ps. xxiii.
4</scripRef>.</p>
</div></div2>