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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J O S H U A</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The embarrassment which Achan's sin gave to the affairs of Israel being
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over, we have them here in a very good posture again, the affairs both
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of war and religion. Here is,
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I. The glorious progress of their arms in the taking of Ai, before
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which they had lately suffered disgrace.
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1. God encourages Joshua to attack it, with the assurance of success,
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and directs him what method to take,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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2. Joshua gives orders accordingly to the men of war,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:3-8">ver. 3-8</A>.
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3. The stratagem is managed as it was projected, and succeeds as it was
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desired,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:9-22">ver. 9-22</A>.
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4. Joshua becomes master of this city, puts all the inhabitants to the
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sword, burns it, hangs the king, but gives the plunder to the soldiers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:23-29">ver. 23-29</A>.
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II. The great solemnity of writing and reading the law before a general
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assembly of all Israel, drawn up for that purpose upon the two
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mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, according to an order which Moses had
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received from the Lord, and delivered to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:30-35">ver. 30-35</A>.
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Thus did they take their work before them, and make the business of
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their religion to keep pace with their secular business.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Jos8_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Destruction of Ai.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou
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dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up
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to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his
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people, and his city, and his land:
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2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto
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Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle
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thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an
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ambush for the city behind it.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Israel were very happy in having such a commander as Joshua, but Joshua
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was more happy in having such a director as God himself; when any
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difficulty occurred, he needed not to call a council of war who had
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<I>God so nigh unto him,</I> not only to answer, but even to
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anticipate, his enquiries. It should seem, Joshua was now at a stand,
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had scarcely recovered the discomposure he was put into by the trouble
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Achan gave them, and could not think, without fear and trembling, of
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pushing forward, lest there should be in the camp another Achan; then
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God spoke to him, either by vision, as before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+5:1-15"><I>ch.</I> v.</A>),
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or by the breastplate of judgment. Note, When we have faithfully put
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away sin, that accursed thing, which <I>separates between us and
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God,</I> then, and not till then, we may expect to hear from God to our
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comfort; and God's directing us how to go on in our Christian work and
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warfare is a good evidence of his being reconciled to us. Observe
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here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The encouragement God gives to Joshua to proceed: <I>Fear not,
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neither be thou dismayed,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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This intimates that the sin of Achan, and the consequences of it, had
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been a very great discouragement to Joshua, and made his heart almost
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ready to fail. Corruptions within the church weaken the hands, and damp
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the spirits, of her guides and helpers, more than oppositions from
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without; treacherous Israelites are to be dreaded more than malicious
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Canaanites. But God bids Joshua not be dismayed; the same power that
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keeps Israel from being ruined by their enemies shall keep them from
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ruining themselves. To animate him,
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1. He assures him of success against Ai, tells him it is all his own;
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but he must take it as god's gift: <I>I have given it into thy
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hands,</I> which secured him both title and possession, and obliged him
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to give God the glory of both,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:3">Ps. xliv. 3</A>.
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2. He allows the people to take the spoil to themselves. Here the spoil
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was not consecrated to God as that of Jericho, and therefore there was
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no danger of the people's committing such a trespass as they had
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committed there. Observe, How Achan who caught at forbidden spoil lost
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that, and life, and all, but the rest of the people who had
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conscientiously refrained from the accursed thing were quickly
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recompensed for their obedience with the spoil of Ai. The way to have
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the comfort of what God allows us is to forbear what he forbids us. No
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man shall lose by his self-denial; let God have his dues first, and
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then all will be clean to us and sure,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+17:13">1 Kings xvii. 13</A>.
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God did not bring them to these <I>goodly cities,</I> and <I>houses
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filled with all good things,</I> to tantalize them with the sight of
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that which they might not touch; but, having received the first-fruits
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from Jericho, the spoil of Ai, and of all the cities which
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thenceforward came into their hands, they might take for a prey to
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themselves.</P>
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<P>
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II. The direction he gives him in attacking Ai. It must not be such a
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work of time as the taking of Jericho was; this would have prolonged
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the war too much. Those that had patiently waited seven days for
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Jericho shall have Ai given them in one day. Nor was it, as that, to
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be taken by miracle, and purely by the act of God, but now their own
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conduct and courage must be exercised; having seen God work for them,
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they must now bestir themselves. God directs him,
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1. To take all the people, that they might all be spectators of the
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action and sharers in the spoil. Hereby God gave him a tacit rebuke for
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sending so small a detachment against Ai in the former attempt upon it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+7:4"><I>ch.</I> vii. 4</A>.
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2. To lay an ambush behind the city; this was a method which perhaps
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Joshua would not have thought of at this time, if God had not directed
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him to it; and though now we are not to expect direction, as here, by
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visions, voices, or oracles, yet, whenever those who are entrusted with
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public councils take prudent measures for the public good, it must be
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acknowledged that god puts it into their hears; he that teaches the
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husbandman discretion no doubt teaches statesman and general.</P>
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<A NAME="Jos8_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos8_22"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against
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Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour,
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and sent them away by night.
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4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait
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against the city, <I>even</I> behind the city: go not very far from
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the city, but be ye all ready:
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5 And I, and all the people that <I>are</I> with me, will approach
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unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out
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against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
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6 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them
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from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the
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first: therefore we will flee before them.
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7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the
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city: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God will deliver it into your hand.
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8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, <I>that</I> ye shall
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set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
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9 Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in
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ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai:
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but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
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10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the
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people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the
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people to Ai.
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11 And all the people, <I>even the people</I> of war that <I>were</I>
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with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and
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pitched on the north side of Ai: now <I>there was</I> a valley between
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them and Ai.
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12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in
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ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
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13 And when they had set the people, <I>even</I> all the host that
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<I>was</I> on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the
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west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the
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valley.
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14 And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw <I>it,</I> that they
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hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out
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against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time
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appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that <I>there were</I>
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liers in ambush against him behind the city.
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15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before
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them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
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16 And all the people that <I>were</I> in Ai were called together to
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pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn
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away from the city.
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17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not
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out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after
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Israel.
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18 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that
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<I>is</I> in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand.
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And Joshua stretched out the spear that <I>he had</I> in his hand
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toward the city.
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19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they
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ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered
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into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.
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20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and,
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behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had
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no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled
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to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
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21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken
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the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they
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turned again, and slew the men of Ai.
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22 And the other issued out of the city against them; so they
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were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that
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side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain
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or escape.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of the taking of Ai by stratagem. The stratagem
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here used, we are sure, was lawful and good; God himself appointed it,
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and we have no reason to think but that the like is lawful and good in
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other wars. Here was no league broken, no treaty of peace, that the
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advantage was gained; no, these are sacred things, and not to be jested
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with, nor used to serve a turn; truth, when once it is plighted,
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becomes a debt even to the enemy. But in this stratagem here was no
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untruth told; nothing was concealed but their own counsels, which no
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enemy ever pretended a right to be entrusted with; nothing was
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dissembled, nothing counterfeited but a retreat, which was no natural
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or necessary indication at all of their inability to maintain their
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onset, or of any design not to renew it. The enemy ought to have been
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upon their guard, and to have kept within the defence of their own
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walls. Common prudence, had they been governed by it, would have
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directed them not to venture on the pursuit of an army which they saw
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was so far superior to them in numbers, and leave their city unguarded;
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but (<I>si populus vult decipi, decipiatur--if the people will be
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deceived, let them</I>) if the Canaanites will be so easily imposed
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upon, and in pursuit of God's Israel will break through all the laws of
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policy and good management, the Israelites are not at all to be blamed
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for taking advantage of their fury and thoughtlessness; nor is it any
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way inconsistent with the character God is pleased to give of them,
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that they are <I>children that will not lie.</I> Now in the account
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here given of this matter,</P>
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<P>
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I. There is some difficulty in adjusting the numbers that were employed
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to effect it. Mention is made
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
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of 30,000 that were <I>chosen and sent away by night,</I> to whom the
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charge was given to surprise the city as soon as ever they perceived it
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was evacuated,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:4,7,8"><I>v.</I> 4, 7, 8</A>.
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And yet afterwards
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>)
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it is said, Joshua <I>took</I> 5000 <I>men and set them to lie in
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ambush</I> behind the city, and that <I>ambush entered the city,</I>
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and <I>set it on fire,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
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Now,
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1. Some think there were two parties sent out to lie in ambush, 30,000
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first, and afterwards 5000 to guard the roads, and to intercept those
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that were first sent out; and that Joshua made his open attack upon the
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city with all the thousands of Israel. So the learned bishop Patrick,
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insisting upon God's command
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>)
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to take <I>all the people of war with him.</I> But,
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2. Others think that all the people were taken only to encamp before
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the city, and that out of them Joshua chose out 30,000 men to be
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employed in the action, out of which he sent out 5000 to lie in ambush,
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which were as many as could be supposed to march <I>incognito--without
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being discovered</I> (more would have been seen, and thus the design
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would have been broken) and that then with the other 25,000 he made the
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open attack, as Masius thinks, or with the 30,000, which, as Calvin
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thinks, he kept entire for that purpose, having, besides them, sent out
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5000 for an ambuscade. And those 5000 (they think) must be meant by
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those
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>)
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whom he <I>sent away by night,</I> with orders to lie in wait behind
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the city, though the particular number is not specified till
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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If we admit such a seeming disturbance in the order of the narrative
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(of which, perhaps, similar instances might be cited from the other
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scripture histories), it seems most probable that there was but one
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ambushment, which consisted only of 5000, enough for such a
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purpose.</P>
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<P>
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II. Yet the principal parts of the story are plain enough, that a
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detachment being secretly marched behind the city, on the other side to
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that on which the main body of the army lay (the situation of the
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country, it is probable, favouring their concealment), Joshua, and the
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forces with him, faced the city; the garrison made a vigorous sally out
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upon them, whereupon they withdrew, gave ground, and retreated in some
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seeming disorder towards the wilderness, which being perceived by the
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men of Ai, they drew out all the force they had to pursue them. This
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gave a fair opportunity for those that lay in ambush to make themselves
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masters of the city, whereof when they had given notice by a smoke to
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Joshua, he, with all his force, returned upon the pursuers, who now,
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when it was too late, were aware of the snare they were drawn into,
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and, their retreat being intercepted, they were every man of them cut
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off. The like artifice we find used,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+20:30">Judg. xx. 30</A>,
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&c. Now in this story we may observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. What a brave commander Joshua was. See,
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(1.) His conduct and prudence. God gave him the hint
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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that he should lay an ambush behind the city, but left him to himself
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to order the particulars, which he did admirably well. Doubtless
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<I>wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:19">Eccl. vii. 19</A>.
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(2.) His care and industry
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He rose up early in the morning,</I> that he might lose no time, and
|
|
to show how intent his mind was upon his business. Those that would
|
|
maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease.
|
|
|
|
(3.) His courage and resolution; though an army of Israelites had been
|
|
repulsed before Ai, yet he resolves to lead them on in person the
|
|
second time,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Being himself also an elder, he took the elders of Israel with him to
|
|
make this attack upon the city
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
as if he were going rather to sit in judgment upon them as criminals
|
|
than to fight them as enemies.
|
|
|
|
(4.) His caution and consideration
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
He <I>went that night into the midst of the valley,</I> to make the
|
|
necessary dispositions for an attack, and to see that every thing was
|
|
in good order. It is the pious conjecture of the learned bishop Patrick
|
|
that he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing upon
|
|
his enterprise, and he did not seek in vain.
|
|
|
|
(5.) His constancy and perseverance; when he had stretched out his
|
|
spear towards the city
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>,
|
|
|
|
a spear almost as fatal and formidable to the enemies of Israel as the
|
|
rod of Moses was) he never drew back his hand till the work was done.
|
|
His hands in fighting, like Moses's in interceding, were steady till
|
|
the going down of the sun. Those that have stretched out their hands
|
|
against their spiritual enemies must never draw them back.
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> What Joshua did in the stratagem is applicable to our
|
|
Lord Jesus, of whom he was a type. Joshua conquered by yielding, as if
|
|
he had himself been conquered; so our Lord Jesus, when he bowed his
|
|
head and gave up the ghost, seemed as if death and triumphed over him,
|
|
and as if he and all his interests had been routed and ruined; but in
|
|
his resurrection he rallied again and gave the powers of darkness a
|
|
total defeat; he broke the serpent's head, by suffering him to bruise
|
|
his heel. A glorious stratagem!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What an obedient people Israel was. What <I>Joshua commanded them to
|
|
do, according to the commandment of the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
they did it without murmuring or disputing. Those that were sent to lie
|
|
in ambush between Beth-el and Ai (two cities confederate against them)
|
|
were in a post of danger, and had they been discovered might all have
|
|
been cut off, and yet they ventured; and, when the body of the army
|
|
retreated and fled, it was both disgraceful and perilous, and yet, in
|
|
obedience to Joshua, they did it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. What an infatuated enemy the king of Ai was,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he did not by his scouts discover those that lay in ambush
|
|
behind the city,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some observe it as a remarkable instance of the power of God in making
|
|
men blind to their own interest, and the things that belong to their
|
|
peace, that <I>he wist not that there were liers in wait against
|
|
him.</I> Those are most in danger who are least aware that they are so.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That when Israel seemed to fly he drew out all his forces to
|
|
pursue them, and left none to guard his city and to secure his retreat,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus the church's enemies often run themselves into destruction by
|
|
their own fury and the violence of their rage against the Israel of
|
|
God. Pharaoh plunged himself into the Red Sea by the eagerness with
|
|
which he pursued Israel.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That from the killing of thirty-six men out of 3000, when Israel
|
|
made the former attack upon his city, he should infer the total routing
|
|
of so great an army as now he had to deal with
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They flee before us as at the first.</I> See how the prosperity of
|
|
fools destroys them and hardens them to their ruin. God had made use of
|
|
the men of Ai as a scourge to chastise his people for meddling with the
|
|
accursed thing, and this had puffed them up with a conceit that they
|
|
must have the honour of delivering their country from these formidable
|
|
invaders; but they were soon made to see their mistake, and that when
|
|
the Israelites had reconciled themselves to their God they could have
|
|
no power against them. God had made use of them only for the rebuking
|
|
of Israel, with a purpose, when the correction was over, to throw the
|
|
rod itself into the fire; <I>howbeit, they meant not so,</I> but <I>it
|
|
was in their heart to destroy and cut off,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:5-7">Isa. x. 5-7</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. What a complete victory Israel obtained over them by the favour and
|
|
blessing of God. Each did his part: the divided forces of Israel, by
|
|
signals agreed on, understood one another, and every thing succeeded
|
|
according to the project; so that the men of Ai, even when they were
|
|
most confident of victory, found themselves surrounded, so that they
|
|
had neither spirit to resist nor room to fly, but were under a fatal
|
|
necessity of yielding their lives to the destroyers. And now it is hard
|
|
to say whether the shouts of the men of Israel, or the shrieks of the
|
|
men of Ai, were the louder, but easy to imagine what terror and
|
|
confusion they were filled with, when their highest assurances sunk so
|
|
suddenly into the heaviest despair. Note, The triumphing of the wicked
|
|
is short,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+20:5">Job xx. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are <I>exalted for a little while,</I> that their fall and ruin
|
|
may be the sorer,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+24:24">Job xxiv. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
See how easily, how quickly, the scale turns against those that have
|
|
not God on their side.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to
|
|
Joshua.
|
|
24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying
|
|
all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein
|
|
they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of
|
|
the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites
|
|
returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
|
|
25 And <I>so</I> it was, <I>that</I> all that fell that day, both of men
|
|
and women, <I>were</I> twelve thousand, <I>even</I> all the men of Ai.
|
|
26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched
|
|
out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants
|
|
of Ai.
|
|
27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a
|
|
prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> which
|
|
he commanded Joshua.
|
|
28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, <I>even</I> a
|
|
desolation unto this day.
|
|
29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and
|
|
as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should
|
|
take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering
|
|
of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of
|
|
stones, <I>that remaineth</I> unto this day.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here an account of the improvement which the Israelites made of
|
|
their victory over Ai.
|
|
|
|
1. They put all to the sword, not only in the field, but in the city,
|
|
man, woman, and child, none of them remained,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
God, the righteous Judge, had passed this sentence upon them for their
|
|
wickedness, so that the Israelites were only the ministers of his
|
|
justice and the executioners of his doom. Once in this story, and but
|
|
once, mention is made of the men of Beth-el, as confederates with the
|
|
men of Ai,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though they had a king of their own, and were not subjects to the king
|
|
of Ai (for the king of Beth-el is reckoned among the thirty-one kings
|
|
that Joshua destroyed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+12:16"><I>ch.</I> xii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet Ai being a stronger place they threw themselves into that, for
|
|
their own safety, and the strengthening of their neighbours' hands, and
|
|
so (we may presume) were all cut off with them; thus that by which they
|
|
hoped to prevent their own ruin hastened it. The whole number of the
|
|
slain, it seems, was but 12,000, and inconsiderable body to make head
|
|
against all the thousands of Israel; but those whom God will destroy he
|
|
infatuates. Here it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>)
|
|
|
|
that <I>Joshua drew not his hand back wherewith he stretched out the
|
|
spear</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
till the slaughter was completed. Some think the spear he stretched out
|
|
was not to slay the enemies, but to animate and encourage his own
|
|
soldiers, some flag or ensign being hung out at the end of this spear;
|
|
and they observe it as an instance of his self-denial that though the
|
|
fire of courage wherewith his breast was filled would have pushed him
|
|
forward, sword in hand, into the hottest of the action, yet, in
|
|
obedience to God, he kept the inferior post of a standard-bearer, and
|
|
did not quit it till the work was done. By the spear stretched out, he
|
|
directed the people to expect their help from God, and to him to give
|
|
the praise.
|
|
|
|
2. They plundered the city and took all the spoil to themselves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just; the spoil they
|
|
brought out of Egypt, by borrowing of their neighbours, was much of it
|
|
expended upon the tabernacle they had reared in the wilderness, for
|
|
which they are now reimbursed with interest. The spoil here taken, it
|
|
is probable, was all brought together, and distributed by Joshua in due
|
|
proportions, as that of the Midianites was,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+31:26">Num. xxxi. 26</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. It was not seized with irregularity or violence, for God is the God
|
|
or order and equity, and not of confusion.
|
|
|
|
3. They laid the city in ashes, and left it to remain so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Israel must yet dwell in tents, and therefore this city, as well as
|
|
Jericho, must be burnt. And, though there was no curse entailed upon
|
|
him that should rebuild it, yet, it seems, it was not rebuilt unless it
|
|
be the same with Aijah, which we read of, long after,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:31">Neh. xi. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some think it was not rebuilt because Israel had received a defeat
|
|
before it, the remembrance of which should be buried in the ruins of
|
|
the city.
|
|
|
|
4. The king of Ai was taken prisoner and cut off, not by the sword of
|
|
war as a soldier, but by the sword of justice as a malefactor. Joshua
|
|
ordered him to be hanged, and his dead body thrown at the gate of his
|
|
own city, <I>under a heap of stone,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:23,29"><I>v.</I> 23, 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some particular reason, no doubt, there was for this severity against
|
|
the king of Ai; it is likely he had been notoriously wicked and vile,
|
|
and a blasphemer of the God of Israel, perhaps upon occasion of the
|
|
repulse he had given to the forces of Israel in their first onset.
|
|
Some observe that his dead body was thrown at the gate where he had
|
|
been wont to sit in judgment that so much the greater contempt might
|
|
thereby be poured upon the dignity he had been proud of, and he might
|
|
be punished for the unrighteous decrees he had made in the very place
|
|
where he had made them. Thus the Lord is known by the judgments which
|
|
he executes.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos8_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sacrifice Offered on Mount Ebal; The Reading of the Law.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1451.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel in
|
|
mount Ebal,
|
|
31 As Moses the servant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded the children of
|
|
Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an
|
|
altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up <I>any</I> iron:
|
|
and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and
|
|
sacrificed peace offerings.
|
|
32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of
|
|
Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
|
|
33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their
|
|
judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the
|
|
priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half
|
|
of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against
|
|
mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had commanded
|
|
before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
|
|
34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the
|
|
blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the
|
|
book of the law.
|
|
35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which
|
|
Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the
|
|
women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were
|
|
conversant among them.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This religious solemnity of which we have here an account comes in
|
|
somewhat surprisingly in the midst of the history of the wars of
|
|
Canaan. After the taking of Jericho and Ai, we should have expected
|
|
that the next news would be of their taking possession of the country,
|
|
the pushing on of their victories in other cities, and the carrying of
|
|
the war into the bowels of the nation, now that they had made
|
|
themselves masters of these frontier towns. But here a scene opens of
|
|
quite another nature; the camp of Israel is drawn out into the field,
|
|
not to engage the enemy, but to offer sacrifice, to hear the law read,
|
|
and to say <I>Amen</I> to the blessings and the curses. Some think this
|
|
was not done till after some of the following victories were obtained
|
|
which were read of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+10:1-11:23"><I>ch.</I> x. and xi</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it should seem by the maps that Shechem (near to which these two
|
|
mountains Gerizim and Ebal were) was not so far off from Ai but that
|
|
when they had taken that they might penetrate into the country as far
|
|
as those two mountains, and therefore I would not willingly admit a
|
|
transposition of the story; and the rather because, as it comes in
|
|
here, it is a remarkable instance,
|
|
|
|
1. Of the zeal of Israel for the service of God and for his honour.
|
|
Though never was war more honourable, more pleasant, or more gainful,
|
|
nor ever was war more sure of victory, or more necessary to a
|
|
settlement (for they had neither houses nor lands of their own till
|
|
they had won them by the sword, no, not Joshua himself), yet all the
|
|
business of the war shall stand still, while they make a long march to
|
|
the place appointed, and there attend this solemnity. God appointed
|
|
them to do this when they should have got over Jordan, and they did it
|
|
as soon as possibly they could, though they might have had a colourable
|
|
pretence to put it off. Note, We must not think to defer our
|
|
covenanting with God till we are settled in the world, or must any
|
|
business put us by from minding and pursuing the one thing needful. The
|
|
way to prosper is to begin with God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:33">Matt. vi. 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. It is an instance of the care of God concerning his faithful
|
|
servants and worshippers. Though they were in an enemy's country, as
|
|
yet unconquered, yet in the service of God they were safe, as Jacob
|
|
when in this very country he was going to Beth-el to pay his vows:
|
|
<I>the terror of God was upon the cities round about,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+35:5">Gen. xxxv. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, When we are in the way of duty God takes us under his special
|
|
protection.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Twice Moses had given express orders for this solemnity; once
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:29,30">Deut. xi. 29, 30</A>,
|
|
|
|
where he seems to have pointed to the very place where it was to be
|
|
performed; and again
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+27:2">Deut. xxvii. 2</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. It was a federal
|
|
transaction: the covenant was now renewed between God and Israel upon
|
|
their taking possession of the land of promise, that they might be
|
|
encouraged in the conquest of it, and might know upon what terms they
|
|
held it, and come under fresh obligations to obedience. In token of the
|
|
covenant,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They built an altar, and offered sacrifice to God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:30,31"><I>v.</I> 30, 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
in token of their dedication of themselves to God, as living sacrifices
|
|
to his honour, in and by a Mediator, who is the altar that sanctifies
|
|
this gift. This altar was erected on Mount <I>Ebal,</I> the mount on
|
|
which the curse was put
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:29">Deut. xi. 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
to signify that there, where by the law we had reason to expect a
|
|
curse, by Christ's sacrifice of himself for us and his mediation we
|
|
have peace with God; he has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
|
|
being made a <I>curse for us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:13">Gal. iii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even where it was said, by the curse, <I>You are not my people,</I>
|
|
there it is said, through Christ the altar, <I>You are the children of
|
|
the living God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+1:10">Hos. i. 10</A>.
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The curses pronounced on Mount Ebal would immediately have been
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executed if atonement had not been made by sacrifice. By the sacrifices
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offered on this altar they did likewise give God the glory of the
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victories they had already obtained, as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+17:15">Exod. xvii. 15</A>.
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Now that they had had the comfort of them, in the spoils of Ai, it was
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fit that God should have the praise of them. And they also implored his
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favour for their future success; for supplications as well as
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thanksgivings were intended in their peace-offerings. The way to
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prosper in all that we put our hand to is to take God along with us,
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and in all our ways to acknowledge him by prayer, praise, and
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dependence. The altar they built was of rough unhewn stone, according
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to the law
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+20:25">Exod. xx. 25</A>),
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for that which is most plain and natural, and least artful and
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affected, in the worship of God, he is best pleased with. Man's device
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can add no beauty to God's institutions.</P>
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<P>
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II. They received the law from God; and this those must do that would
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find favour with him, and expect to have their offerings accepted; for,
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if we turn away our ear from hearing the law, our prayers will be an
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abomination. When God took Israel into covenant he gave them his law,
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and they, in token of their consent to the covenant, subjected
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themselves to the law. Now here,</P>
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<P>
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1. The law of the ten commandments was written upon stones in the
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presence of all Israel, as an abridgment of the whole,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
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This copy was not graven in the stone, as that which was reserved in
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the ark: That was to be done only by the finger of God; it is his
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prerogative to write the law in the heart. But the stones were
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plastered, and it was written upon the plaster,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+27:4,8">Deut. xxvii. 4, 8</A>.
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It was written, that all might see what it was that they consented to,
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and that it might be a standing remaining testimony to posterity of
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God's goodness in giving them such good laws, and a testimony against
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them if they were disobedient to them. It is a great mercy to any
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people to have the law of God in writing, and it is fit that the
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written law should be exposed to common view in a known tongue, that it
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may be seen and read of all men.</P>
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<P>
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2. The blessings and the curses, the sanctions of the law, were
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|
publicly read, and the people (we may suppose), according to Moses's
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appointment, said <I>Amen</I> to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:33,34"><I>v.</I> 33, 34</A>.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) The auditory was very large.
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[1.] The greatest prince was not excused. The elders, officers, and
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|
judges, are not above the cognizance of the law, but will come under
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|
the blessing or the curse, according as they are or are not obedient to
|
|
it, and therefore they must be present to consent to the covenant and
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|
to go before the people therein.
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[2.] The poorest stranger was not excluded. Here was a general
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|
naturalization of them: as well the stranger as he that was born among
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|
them was taken into covenant. This was an encouragement to proselytes,
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|
and a happy presage of the kindnesses intended for the poor Gentiles in
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the latter days.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) The tribes were posted, as Moses directed, six towards Gerizim and
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|
six towards Ebal. And the ark in the midst of the valley was between
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|
them, for it was the <I>ark of the covenant;</I> and in it were shut up
|
|
the close rolls of that law which was copied out and shown openly upon
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|
the stones. The covenant was commanded, and the command covenanted. The
|
|
priests that attended the ark, or some of the Levites that attended
|
|
them, after the people had all taken their places, and silence was
|
|
proclaimed, pronounced distinctly the blessings and the curses, as
|
|
Moses had drawn them up, to which the tribes said <I>Amen;</I> and yet
|
|
it is here only said that they should <I>bless the people,</I> for the
|
|
blessing was that which was first and chiefly intended, and which God
|
|
designed in giving the law. If they fell under the curse, that was
|
|
their own fault. And it was really a blessing to the people that they
|
|
had this matter laid so plainly before them, <I>life and death, good
|
|
and evil;</I> he <I>had not dealt so with other nations.</I></P>
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|
<P>
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3. The law itself also containing the precepts and prohibitions was
|
|
read
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+8:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>),
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|
it should seem by Joshua himself, who did not think it below him to be
|
|
a reader in the congregation of the Lord. In conformity to this
|
|
example, the solemn reading of the law, which was appointed once in
|
|
seven years
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:10,11">Deut. xxxi. 10, 11</A>),
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|
|
|
was performed by their king or chief magistrate. It is here intimated
|
|
what a general publication of the law this was.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Every word was read; even the minutest precepts were not omitted,
|
|
nor the most copious abridged; not one iota or tittle of the law shall
|
|
pass away, and therefore none was, in reading, skipped over, under
|
|
pretence of want of time, or that any part was needless or not proper
|
|
to be read. It was not many weeks since Moses had preached the whole
|
|
book of <I>Deuteronomy</I> to them, yet Joshua must now read it all
|
|
over again; it is good to hear twice what God has spoken once
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+62:11">Ps. lxii. 11</A>)
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|
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|
and to review what had been delivered to us, or to have it repeated,
|
|
that we may not let it slip.
|
|
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|
(2.) Every Israelite was present, even <I>the women and the little
|
|
ones</I> that all might know and do their duty. Note, Masters of
|
|
families should bring their wives and children with them to the solemn
|
|
assemblies for religious worship. All that are capable of learning
|
|
must come to be <I>taught out of the law.</I> The strangers also
|
|
attended with them; for wherever we are, though but as strangers, we
|
|
should improve every opportunity of acquainting ourselves with God and
|
|
his holy will.</P>
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