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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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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. XXII.</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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Many particular things we have read concerning the two tribes and a
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half, though nothing separated them from the rest of the tribes except
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the river Jordan, and this chapter is wholly concerning them.
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I. Joshua's dismission of the militia of those tribes from the camp of
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Israel, in which the had served as auxiliaries, during all the wars of
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Canaan, and their return thereupon to their own country,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+22:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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II. The altar they built on the borders of Jordan, in token of their
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communion with the land of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+22:10">ver. 10</A>.
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III. The offence which the rest of the tribes took at this altar, and
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the message they sent thereupon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+22:11-20">ver. 11-20</A>.
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IV. The apology which the two tribes and a half made for what they had
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done,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+22:21-29">ver. 21-29</A>.
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V. The satisfaction which their apology gave to the rest of the tribes,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+22:30-34">ver. 30-34</A>.
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And (which is strange), whereas in most differences that happen there
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is a fault on both sides, on this there was fault on no side; none (for
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aught that appears) were to be blamed, but all to be praised.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Jos22_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_9"> </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 Reubenites, Gadites, and Half Tribe of Manasseh Dismissed.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1444.</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 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the
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half tribe of Manasseh,
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2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant
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of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I
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commanded you:
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3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day,
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but have kept the charge of the commandment of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God.
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4 And now the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God hath given rest unto your brethren,
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as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto
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your tents, <I>and</I> unto the land of your possession, which Moses
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the servant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> gave you on the other side Jordan.
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5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law,
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which Moses the servant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> charged you, to love the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his
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commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all
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your heart and with all your soul.
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6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went
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unto their tents.
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7 Now to the <I>one</I> half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had
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given <I>possession</I> in Bashan: but unto the <I>other</I> half thereof
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gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward.
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And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he
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blessed them,
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8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto
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your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with
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gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment:
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divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
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9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the
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half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children
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of Israel out of Shiloh, which <I>is</I> in the land of Canaan, to go
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unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession,
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whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by
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the hand of Moses.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The war being ended, and ended gloriously, Joshua, as a prudent
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general, disbands his army, who never designed to make war their trade,
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and sends them home, to enjoy what they had conquered, and to beat
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their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning-hooks;
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and particularly the forces of these separate tribes, who had received
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their inheritance on the other side Jordan from Moses upon this
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condition, that their men of war should assist the other tribes in the
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conquest of Canaan, which they promised to do
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+32:32">Num. xxxii. 32</A>),
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and renewed the promise to Joshua at the opening of the campaign,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+1:16">Josh. i. 16</A>.
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And, now that they had performed their bargain, Joshua publicly and
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solemnly in Shiloh gives them their discharge. Whether this was done,
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as it was placed, not till after the land was divided, as some think,
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or whether after the war was ended, and before the division was made,
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as others think (because there was no need of their assistance in
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dividing the land, but only in conquering it, nor were there any of
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their tribes employed as commissioners in that affair, but only of the
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other ten,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+34:18-28">Num. xxxiv. 18</A>,
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&c.), this is certain, it was not done till after Shiloh
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was made the head-quarters
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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and the land was begun to be divided before they removed from Gilgal,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+14:6"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 6</A>.</P>
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<P>
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It is probable that this army of Reubenites and Gadites, which had led
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the van in all the wars of Canaan, had sometimes, in the intervals of
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action, and when the rest of the army retired into winter-quarters,
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some of them at least, made a step over Jordan, for it was not far, to
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visit their families, and to look after their private affairs, and
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perhaps tarried at home, and sent others in their room more
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serviceable; but still these two tribes and a half had their quota of
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troops ready, 40,000 in all, which, whenever there was occasion,
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presented themselves at their respective posts, and now attended in a
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body to receive their discharge. Though their affection to their
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families, and concern for their affairs, could not but make them, after
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so long an absence, very desirous to return, yet, like good soldiers,
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they would not move till they had orders from their general. So, though
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our heavenly Father's house above be ever so desirable (it is bishop
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Hall's allusion), yet must we stay on earth till our warfare be
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accomplished, wait for a due discharge, and not anticipate the time of
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our removal.</P>
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<P>
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I. Joshua dismisses them to the <I>land of their possession,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Those that were first in the assignment of their lot were last in the
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enjoyment of it; they got the start of their brethren in title, but
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their brethren were before them in full possession; so <I>the last
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shall be first, and the first last,</I> that there may be something of
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equality.</P>
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<P>
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II. He dismisses them with their pay; for who goes a warfare at his own
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charge? <I>Return with much riches unto your tents,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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Though all the land they had helped to conquer was to go to the other
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tribes, yet they should have their share of the plunder, and had so,
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and this was all the pay that any of the soldiers expected; for the
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wars of Canaan bore their own charges. "Go," says Joshua, "go home to
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your tents," that is, "your houses," which he calls <I>tents,</I>
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because they had been so much used to tents in the wilderness; and
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indeed the strongest and stateliest houses in this world are to be
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looked upon but as tents, mean and movable in comparison with our house
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above. "Go home <I>with much riches,</I> not only cattle, the spoil of
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the country, but silver and gold, the plunder of the cities, and,"
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1. "Let your brethren whom you leave behind have your good word, who
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have allowed you your share in full, though the land is entirely
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theirs, and have not offered to make any drawback. Do not say that you
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are losers by us."
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2. "Let your brethren whom you go to, who abode by the stuff, have some
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share of the spoil: <I>Divide the spoil with your brethren,</I> as that
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was divided which was taken in the war with Midian,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+31:27">Num. xxxi. 27</A>.
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Let your brethren that have wanted you all this while be the better for
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you when you come home."</P>
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<P>
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III. He dismisses them with a very honourable character. Though their
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service was a due debt, and the performance of a promise, and they had
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done no more than was their duty to do, yet he highly commends them;
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not only gives them up their bonds, as it were, now that they had
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fulfilled the condition, but applauds their good services. Though it
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was by the favour of God and his power that Israel got possession of
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this land, and he must have all the glory, yet Joshua thought there was
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a thankful acknowledgment due to their brethren who assisted them, and
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whose sword and bow were employed for them. God must be chiefly eyed in
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our praises, yet instruments must not be altogether overlooked. He here
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commends them,
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1. For the readiness of their obedience to their commanders,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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When Moses was gone, they remembered and observed the charge he had
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given them; and all the orders which Joshua, as general of the forces,
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had issued out, they had carefully obeyed, went, and came, and did, as
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he appointed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:9">Matt. viii. 9</A>.
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It is as much as any thing the soldier's praise to observe the word of
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command.
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2. For the constancy of their affection and adherence to their
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brethren: <I>You have not left them these many days.</I> How many days
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he does not say, nor can we gather it with certainty from any other
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place. Calvisius and others of the best chronologers compute that the
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conquering and dividing of the land was the work of about six or seven
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years, and so long these separate tribes attended their camp, and did
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them the best service they could. Note, It will be the honour of those
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that have espoused the cause of God's Israel, and twisted interests
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with them, to adhere to them, and never to leave them till God has
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given them rest, and then they shall rest with them.
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3. For the faithfulness of their obedience to the divine law. They had
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not only done their duty to Joshua and Israel, but, which was best of
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all, they had made conscience of their duty to God: <I>You have kept
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the charge,</I> or, as the word is, <I>You have kept the keeping,</I>
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that is, "You have carefully and circumspectly kept the <I>commandment
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of the Lord your God,</I> not only in this particular instance of
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continuing in the service of Israel to the end of the war, but, in
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general, you have kept up religion in your part of the camp, a rare and
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excellent thing among soldiers, and where it is worthy to be
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praised."</P>
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<P>
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IV. He dismisses them with good counsel, not to cultivate their ground,
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fortify their cities, and, now that their hands were inured to war and
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victory, to invade their neighbours, and so enlarge their own
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territories, but to keep up serious godliness among them in the power
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of it. They were not political but pious instructions that he gave
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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1. In general, to <I>take diligent heed to do the commandment and the
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law.</I> Those that have the commandment have it in vain unless they
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<I>do</I> the commandment; and it will not be done aright (so apt are
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we to turn aside, and so industrious are our spiritual enemies to turn
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us aside) unless we take heed, diligent heed.
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2. In particular, to <I>love the Lord our God,</I> as the best of
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beings, and the best of friends; and as far as this principle rules in
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the heart, and is the spring of its pulses, there will be a constant
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care and sincere endeavour to <I>walk in his ways,</I> in all his ways,
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even those that are narrow and up-hill, in every particular instance,
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in all manner of conversation to <I>keep his commandments,</I> at all
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times and in all conditions with purpose of heart to <I>cleave unto
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him,</I> and to serve him and his honour, and the interest of his
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kingdom among men, <I>with all our heart and with all our soul.</I>
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What good counsel was here given to them is given to us all. God give
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us grace to take it!</P>
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<P>
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V. He dismisses them with a blessing
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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particularly the half tribe of Manasseh, to which Joshua, as an
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Ephraimite, was somewhat nearer akin than to the other two, and who
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perhaps were the more loth to depart because they left one half of
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their own tribe behind them, and therefore, bidding often farewell, and
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lingering behind, had a second dismission and blessing,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Joshua not only prayed for them as a friend, but blessed them as a
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father in the name of the Lord, recommending them, their families, and
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affairs, to the grace of God. Some by the blessing Joshua gave them
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understand the presents he made them, in recompence of their services;
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but Joshua being a prophet, and having given them one part of a
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prophet's reward in the instructions he gave them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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no doubt we must understand this of the other, even the prayers he made
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for them, as one having authority, and as God's vicegerent.</P>
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<P>
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VI. Being thus dismissed, they returned to <I>the land of their
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possession</I> in a body
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
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ferry-boats being, it is likely, provided for their repassing Jordan.
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Though masters of families may sometimes have occasion to be absent,
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long absent, from their families, yet, when their business abroad is
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finished, they must remember home is their place, from which they ought
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not to wander as a bird from her nest.</P>
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<A NAME="Jos22_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Altar of the Reubenites.</I></FONT></TD>
|
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1444.</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>10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that <I>are</I> in
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the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of
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Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by
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Jordan, a great altar to see to.
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11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children
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of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh
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have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the
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borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
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12 And when the children of Israel heard <I>of it,</I> the whole
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congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves
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together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
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13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben,
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and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh,
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into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
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14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince
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throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one <I>was</I> a head
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of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
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15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the
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children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land
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of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
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16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, What trespass
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<I>is</I> this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to
|
|
turn away this day from following the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, in that ye have
|
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builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>?
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17 <I>Is</I> the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we
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|
are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in
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|
the congregation of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
|
18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>?
|
|
and it will be, <I>seeing</I> ye rebel to day against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, that
|
|
to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
|
|
19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession <I>be</I>
|
|
unclean, <I>then</I> pass ye over unto the land of the possession of
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, wherein the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s tabernacle dwelleth, and take
|
|
possession among us: but rebel not against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, nor rebel
|
|
against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
our God.
|
|
20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the
|
|
accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel?
|
|
and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. The pious care of the separated tribes to keep their hold of
|
|
Canaan's religion, even when they were leaving Canaan's land, that they
|
|
might not be as the <I>sons of the stranger, utterly separated from
|
|
God's people,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+56:3">Isa. lvi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
In order to this, they built a great altar on the borders of Jordan, to
|
|
be a witness for them that they were Israelites, and as such
|
|
<I>partakers of the altar of</I> the Lord,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:18">1 Cor. x. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
When they came to Jordan
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>)
|
|
|
|
they did not consult how to preserve the remembrance of their own
|
|
exploits in the wars of Canaan, and the services they had done their
|
|
brethren, by erecting a monument to the immortal honour of the two
|
|
tribes and a half; but their relation to the church of God, together
|
|
with their interest in the communion of saints, is that which they are
|
|
solicitous to preserve and perpetuate the proofs and evidences of; and
|
|
therefore without delay, when the thing was first proposed by some
|
|
among them, who, though glad to think that they were going towards
|
|
home, were sorry to think that they were going from the altar of God,
|
|
immediately they erected this altar, which served as a bridge to keep
|
|
up their fellowship with the other tribes in the things of God. Some
|
|
think they built this altar on the Canaan-side of Jordan, in the lot of
|
|
Benjamin, that, looking over the river, they might see the figure of
|
|
the altar at Shiloh, when they could not conveniently go to it; but it
|
|
is more likely that they built it on their own side of the water, for
|
|
what had they to do to build on another man's land without his consent?
|
|
And it is said to be <I>over-against</I> the land of Canaan; nor would
|
|
there have been any cause of suspecting it designed for sacrifice if
|
|
they had not built it among themselves. This altar was very innocently
|
|
and honestly designed, but it would have been well if, since it had in
|
|
it an appearance of evil, and might be an occasion of offence to their
|
|
brethren, they had consulted the oracle of God about it before they did
|
|
it, or at least acquainted their brethren with their purpose, and given
|
|
them the same explication of their altar before, to prevent their
|
|
jealousy, which they did afterwards, to remove it. Their zeal was
|
|
commendable, but it ought to have been guided with discretion. There
|
|
was no need to hasten the building of an altar for the purpose for
|
|
which they intended this, but they might have taken time to consider
|
|
and take advice; yet, when their sincerity was made to appear, we do
|
|
not find that they were blamed for their rashness. God does, and men
|
|
should, overlook the weakness of an honest zeal.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The holy jealousy of the other tribes for the honour of God and his
|
|
altar at Shiloh. Notice was immediately brought to the princes of
|
|
Israel of the setting up of this altar,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
And they, knowing how strict and severe that law was which required
|
|
them to offer all their sacrifices in the place which God should
|
|
choose, and not elsewhere
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:5-7">Deut. xii. 5-7</A>),
|
|
|
|
were soon apprehensive that the setting up of another altar was an
|
|
affront to the choice which God had lately made of a place to put his
|
|
name in, and had a direct tendency to the worship of some other God.
|
|
Now,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Their suspicion was very excusable, for it must be confessed the
|
|
thing, <I>prima facie--at first sight,</I> looked ill, and seemed to
|
|
imply a design to set up and maintain a competitor with the altar at
|
|
Shiloh. It was no strained <I>innuendo</I> from the building of an
|
|
altar to infer an intention to offer sacrifice upon it, and that might
|
|
introduce idolatry and end in a total apostasy from the faith and
|
|
worship of the God of Israel. So great a matter might this fire kindle.
|
|
God is jealous for his own institutions, and therefore we should be so
|
|
too, and afraid of every thing that looks like, or leads to,
|
|
idolatry.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Their zeal, upon this suspicion, was very commendable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
When they apprehended that these tribes, which by the river Jordan were
|
|
separated from them, were separating themselves from God, they took it
|
|
as the greatest injury that could be done to themselves, and showed a
|
|
readiness, if it were necessary, to put their lives in their hands in
|
|
defence of the altar of God, and to take up arms for the chastising and
|
|
reducing of these rebels, and to prevent the spreading of the
|
|
infection, if no gentler methods would serve, by cutting off from their
|
|
body the gangrened member. They all gathered together, and Shiloh was
|
|
the place of their rendezvous, because it was in defence of the divine
|
|
charter lately granted to that place that they now appeared; their
|
|
resolution was as became a kingdom of priests, who, being devoted to
|
|
God and his service, did not <I>acknowledge their brethren</I> nor
|
|
<I>know their own children,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+33:9">Deut. xxxiii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
They would immediately <I>go up to war against them</I> if it appeared
|
|
they had revolted from God, and were in rebellion against him. Though
|
|
they were <I>bone of their bone,</I> had been <I>companions with them
|
|
in tribulation</I> in the wilderness, and serviceable to them in the
|
|
wars of Canaan, yet, if they turn to <I>serve other gods,</I> they will
|
|
treat them as enemies, not as sons of Israel, but as <I>children of
|
|
whoredoms,</I> for so God had appointed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+13:12-18">Deut. xiii. 12</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. They had but lately sheathed their swords,
|
|
and retired from the perils and fatigues of war to the rest God had
|
|
given them, and yet they are willing to begin a new war rather than be
|
|
any way wanting in their duty to restrain, repress, and revenge,
|
|
idolatry, and every step towards it--a brave resolution, and which shows
|
|
them hearty for their religion, and, we hope, careful and diligent in
|
|
the practice of it themselves. Corruptions in religion are best dealt
|
|
with at first, before they get head and plead prescription.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Their prudence in the prosecution of this zealous resolution is no
|
|
less commendable. God had appointed them, in cases of this nature, to
|
|
<I>enquire and make search</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+13:14">Deut. xiii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
that they might not wrong their brethren under pretence of righting
|
|
their religion; accordingly they resolve here not to send forth their
|
|
armies, to wage war, till they had first sent their ambassadors to
|
|
enquire into the merits of the cause, and these men of the first rank,
|
|
one out of each tribe, and Phinehas at the head of them to be their
|
|
spokesman,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus was their zeal for God tempered, guided, and governed by the
|
|
<I>meekness of wisdom.</I> He that knows all things, and hates all evil
|
|
things, would not punish the worst of criminals but he would first
|
|
<I>go down and see,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:21">Gen. xviii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Many an unhappy strife would be prevented, or soon healed by an
|
|
impartial and favourable enquiry into that which is the matter of the
|
|
offence. The rectifying of mistakes and misunderstandings, and the
|
|
setting of misconstrued words and actions in a true light, would be the
|
|
most effectual way to accommodate both private and public quarrels, and
|
|
bring them to a happy period.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The ambassadors' management of this matter came fully up to the
|
|
sense and spirit of the congregation concerning it, and bespeaks much
|
|
both of zeal and prudence.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The charge they draw up against their brethren is indeed very
|
|
high, and admits no other excuse than that it was in their zeal for the
|
|
honour of God, and was now intended to justify the resentments of the
|
|
congregation at Shiloh and to awaken the supposed delinquents to clear
|
|
themselves, otherwise they might have suspended their judgment, or
|
|
mollified it at least, and not have taken it for granted, as they do
|
|
here
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
that the building of this altar was <I>a trespass against the God of
|
|
Israel,</I> and a trespass no less heinous than the revolt of soldiers
|
|
from their captain (<I>you turn from following the Lord</I>), and the
|
|
rebellion of subjects against their sovereign: <I>that you might rebel
|
|
this day against the Lord.</I> Hard words. It is well they were not
|
|
able to make good their charge. Let not innocency think it strange to
|
|
be thus misrepresented and accused. <I>They laid to my charge things
|
|
that I knew not.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The aggravation of the crime charged upon their brethren is
|
|
somewhat far-fetched: Is <I>the iniquity of Peor too little for us?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Probably that is mentioned because Phinehas, the first commissioner in
|
|
this treaty, had signalized himself in that matter
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+25:7">Num. xxv. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
and because we may suppose they were not about the very place in which
|
|
that iniquity was committed on the other side Jordan. It is good to
|
|
recollect and improve those instances of the wrath of God, revealed
|
|
from heaven <I>against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,</I>
|
|
which have fallen out in our own time, and which we ourselves have been
|
|
eye-witnesses of. He reminds them of the iniquity of Peor,
|
|
|
|
[1.] As a very great sin, and very provoking to God. The building of
|
|
this altar seemed but a small matter, but it might lead to an iniquity
|
|
as bad as that of Peor, and therefore must be crushed in its first
|
|
rise. Note, The remembrance of great sins committed formerly should
|
|
engage us to stand upon our guard against the least occasions and
|
|
beginnings of sin; for the way of sin is down-hill.
|
|
|
|
[2.] As a sin that the whole congregation had smarted for: "<I>There
|
|
was a plague in the congregation of the Lord,</I> of which, in one day,
|
|
there died no fewer than 24,000; was not that enough for ever to warn
|
|
you against idolatry? What! will you bring upon yourselves another
|
|
plague? Are you so mad upon an idolatrous altar that you will run
|
|
yourselves thus upon the sword's point of God's judgments? Does not our
|
|
camp still feel from that sin and the punishment of it? We <I>are not
|
|
cleansed from it unto this day;</I> there are remaining sparks,"
|
|
<I>First,</I> "Of the infection of that sin; some among us so inclined
|
|
to idolatry that if you set up another altar they will soon take
|
|
occasion from that, whether you intend it or no, to worship another
|
|
God." <I>Secondly,</I> "Of the wrath of God against us for that sin. We
|
|
have reason to fear that, if we provoke God by another sin <I>to
|
|
visit,</I> he will remember against us the iniquity of Peor, as he
|
|
threatened to do that of the golden calf,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+32:34">
|
|
Exod. xxxii. 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
And dare you wake the sleeping lion of divine vengeance?" Note, It is a
|
|
foolish and dangerous thing for people to think their former sins
|
|
little, <I>too little for them,</I> as those do who add sin to sin, and
|
|
so <I>treasure up wrath against the day of wrath.</I> Let therefore the
|
|
time past suffice,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:3">1 Pet. iv. 3</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The reason they give for their concerning themselves so warmly in
|
|
this matter is very sufficient. They were obliged to it, in their own
|
|
necessary defence, by the law of self-preservation: "For, if you revolt
|
|
from God to-day, who knows but to-morrow his judgments may break in
|
|
upon the <I>whole congregation</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
as in the case of Achan?
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
He sinned, and we all smarted for it, by which we should receive
|
|
instruction, and from what God did then infer what he may do, and fear
|
|
what he will do, if we do not witness against your sin, who are so
|
|
many, and punish it." Note, The conservators of the public peace are
|
|
obliged, in justice to the common safety, to use their power for the
|
|
restraining and suppressing of vice and profaneness, lest, if it be
|
|
connived at, the sin thereby become national, and bring God's judgments
|
|
upon the community. Nay, we are all concerned to reprove our neighbour
|
|
when he does amiss, lest we bear sin for him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+19:17">Lev. xix. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) The offer they make is very fair and kind
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
that if they thought the land of their possession unclean, for want of
|
|
an altar, and therefore could not be easy without one, rather than they
|
|
should set up another in competition with that at Shiloh they should be
|
|
welcome to come back to the land <I>where the Lord's tabernacle
|
|
was,</I> and settle there, and they would very willingly straiten
|
|
themselves to make room for them. By this they showed a sincere and
|
|
truly pious zeal against schism, that rather than their brethren should
|
|
have any occasion to set up a separate altar, though their pretence for
|
|
it, as here supposed, was very weak and grounded upon a great mistake,
|
|
yet they were willing to part with a considerable share of the land
|
|
which God himself had by the lot assigned them, to comprehend them and
|
|
take them in among them. This was the spirit of Israelites indeed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jos22_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the
|
|
half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the
|
|
thousands of Israel,
|
|
22 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of gods, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of gods, he knoweth, and
|
|
Israel he shall know; if <I>it be</I> in rebellion, or if in
|
|
transgression against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, (save us not this day,)
|
|
23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or
|
|
if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> himself require
|
|
<I>it;</I>
|
|
24 And if we have not <I>rather</I> done it for fear of <I>this</I>
|
|
thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our
|
|
children, saying, What have ye to do with the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel?
|
|
25 For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath made Jordan a border between us and you,
|
|
ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar,
|
|
not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
|
|
27 But <I>that</I> it <I>may be</I> a witness between us, and you, and
|
|
our generations after us, that we might do the service of the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> before him with our burnt offerings, and with our
|
|
sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may
|
|
not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should <I>so</I>
|
|
say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say
|
|
<I>again,</I> Behold the pattern of the altar of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, which our
|
|
fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it
|
|
<I>is</I> a witness between us and you.
|
|
29 God forbid that we should rebel against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and turn
|
|
this day from following the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, to build an altar for burnt
|
|
offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the
|
|
altar of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God that <I>is</I> before his tabernacle.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We may suppose there was a general convention called of the princes and
|
|
great men of the separate tribes, to give audience to these
|
|
ambassadors; or perhaps the army, as it came home, was still encamped
|
|
in a body, and not yet dispersed; however it was, there were enough to
|
|
represent the two tribes and a half, and to give their sense. Their
|
|
reply to the warm remonstrance of the ten tribes is very fair and
|
|
ingenuous. They do not retort their charge, upbraid them with the
|
|
injustice and unkindness of their threatenings, nor reproach them for
|
|
their rash and hasty censures, but give them a soft answer which turns
|
|
away wrath, avoiding all those <I>grievous words which stir up
|
|
anger;</I> they demur not to their jurisdiction, nor plead that they
|
|
were not account able to them for what they had done, nor bid them mind
|
|
their own business, but, by a free and open declaration of their
|
|
sincere intention in what they did, free themselves from the imputation
|
|
they were under, and set themselves right in the opinion of their
|
|
brethren, to do which they only needed to state the case and put the
|
|
matter in a true light.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They solemnly protest against any design to use this altar for
|
|
sacrifice or offering, and therefore were far from setting it up in
|
|
competition with the altar at Shiloh, or from entertaining the least
|
|
thought of deserting that. They had indeed set up that which had the
|
|
shape and fashion of an altar, but they had not dedicated it to a
|
|
religious use, had had no solemnity of its consecration, and therefore
|
|
ought not to be charged with a design to put it to any such use. To
|
|
gain credit to this protestation here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. A solemn appeal to God concerning it, with which they begin their
|
|
defence, intending thereby to give glory to God first, and then to give
|
|
satisfaction to their brethren,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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(1.) A profound awe and reverence of God are expressed in the form of
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their appeal: <I>The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he
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knows.</I> Or, as it might be read somewhat closer to the original,
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<I>The God of gods, Jehovah, the God of gods, Jehovah, he knows,</I>
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which bespeaks his self-existence and self-sufficiency; he is Jehovah,
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and has sovereignty and supremacy over all beings and powers
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whatsoever, even those that are called <I>gods,</I> or that are
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worshipped. This brief confession of their faith would help to obviate
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and remove their brethren's suspicion of them, as if they intended to
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desert the God of Israel, and worship other gods: how could those
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entertain such a thought who believed him to be God over all? Let us
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learn hence always to speak of God with reverence and seriousness, and
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to mention his name with a solemn pause. Those who make their appeals
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to heaven with a slight, careless, "God knows," have reason to fear
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lest they take his name in vain, for it is very unlike this appeal.
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(2.) It is a great confidence of their own integrity which they express
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in the matter of their appeal. They refer the controversy to the God of
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gods, whose judgment, we are sure, is <I>according to truth,</I> such
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as the guilty have reason to dread and the upright to rejoice in.
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"<I>If</I> it be <I>in rebellion or transgression</I> that we have
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built this altar, to confront the altar of the Lord at Shiloh, to make
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a party, or to set up any new gods or worships,"
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[1.] "<I>He knows it</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
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for he is perfectly acquainted with the thoughts and intents of the
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heart, and particularly with all inclinations to idolatry
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:20,21">Ps. xliv. 20, 21</A>);
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this is in a particular manner before him. We believe he knows it, and
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we cannot by any arts conceal it from him."
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[2.] "<I>Let him require it,</I> as we know he will, for he is a
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jealous God." Nothing but a clear conscience would have thus imprecated
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divine justice to avenge the rebellion if there had been any. Note,
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<I>First,</I> In every thing we do in religion, it highly concerns us
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to approve ourselves to God in our integrity therein, remembering that
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he knows the heart. <I>Secondly,</I> When we fall under the censures
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of men, it is very comfortable to be able with a humble confidence to
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appeal to God concerning our sincerity. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:3,4">1 Cor. iv. 3, 4</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. A sober apology presented to their brethren: <I>Israel, he shall
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know.</I> Though the record on high, and the witness in our bosoms, are
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principally to be made sure for us, yet there is a satisfaction besides
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which we owe to our brethren who doubt concerning our integrity, and
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which we should be ready to give with meekness and fear. If our
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sincerity be known to God, we should study likewise to let others know
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it by its fruits, especially those who, though they mistake us, yet
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show a zeal for the glory of God, as the ten tribes here did.</P>
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<P>
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3. A serious abjuration or renunciation of the design which they were
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suspected to be guilty of. With this they conclude their defence
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
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"<I>God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord,</I> as we own we
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should if we had set up this altar for burnt-offerings; no, we abhor
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the thought of it. We have as great a value and veneration for the
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altar of the Lord at Shiloh as any of the tribes of Israel have, and
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are as firmly resolved to adhere to it and constantly to attend it; we
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have the same concern that you have for the purity of God's worship and
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the unity of his church; far be it, far be it from us, to think of
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turning away from following God."</P>
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<P>
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II. They fully explain their true intent and meaning in building this
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altar; and we have all the reason in the world to believe that it is a
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true representation of their design, and not advanced now to palliate
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it afterwards, as we have reason to think that these same persons meant
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very honestly when they petitioned to have their lot on that side
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Jordan, though then also is was their unhappiness to be misunderstood
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even by Moses himself. In their vindication, they make it out that the
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building of this altar was so far from being a step towards a
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separation from their brethren, and from the altar of the Lord at
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Shiloh, that, on the contrary, it was really designed for a pledge and
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preservative of their communion with their brethren and with the altar
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of God, and a token of their resolution to <I>do the service of the
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Lord before him</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
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and to continue to do so.</P>
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<P>
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1. They gave an account of the fears they had lest, in process of time,
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their posterity, being seated at such a distance from the tabernacle,
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should be looked upon and treated as strangers to the commonwealth of
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Israel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>);
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it was for fear of this thing, and the word signifies a great
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perplexity and solicitude of mind which they were in, until they eased
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themselves by this expedient. As they were returning home (and we may
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suppose it was not thought of before, else they would have made Joshua
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|
acquainted with their purpose), some of them in discourse started this
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matter, and the rest took the hint, and represented to themselves and
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one another a very melancholy prospect of what might probably happen in
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after-ages, that their children would be looked upon by the other
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tribes as having no interest in the altar of God and the sacrifices
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there offered. Now indeed they were owned as brethren, and were as
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welcome at the tabernacle as any other of the tribes; but what if their
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children after them should be disowned? They, by reason of their
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distance, and the interposition of Jordan, which it was not easy at all
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times to pass and repass, could not be so numerous and constant in
|
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their attendance on the three yearly feasts as the other tribes, to
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make a continual claim to the privileges of Israelites, and would
|
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therefore be looked upon as inconsiderable members of their church, and
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by degrees would be rejected as not members of it at all: <I>So shall
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your children</I> (who in their pride will be apt to monopolize the
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privileges of the altar) <I>make our children</I> (who perhaps will not
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be so careful as they ought to be to keep hold of those privileges)
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<I>cease from fearing the Lord.</I> Note,
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(1.) Those that are cut off from public ordinances are likely to lose
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all religion, and will by degrees cease from fearing the Lord. Though
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the form and profession of godliness are kept up by many without the
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life and power of it, yet the life and power of it will not long be
|
|
kept up without the form and profession. You take away grace if you
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|
take away the means of grace.
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(2.) Those who have themselves found the comfort and benefit of God's
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ordinances cannot but desire to preserve and perpetuate the entail of
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them upon their seed, and use all possible precautions that their
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children after them may not be <I>made to cease from following the
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Lord,</I> or be looked upon as having no part in him.</P>
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<P>
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2. The project they had to prevent this,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:26-28"><I>v.</I> 26-28</A>.
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"Therefore, to secure an interest in the altar of God to those who
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shall come after us, and to prove their title to it, <I>we said, Let us
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build an altar, to be a witness between us and you,</I>" that, having
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this copy of the altar in their custody, it might be produced as an
|
|
evidence of their right to the privilege of the original. Every one
|
|
that saw this altar, and observed that it was never used for sacrifice
|
|
and offering, would enquire what was the meaning of it, and this answer
|
|
would be given to that enquiry, that it was built by those separate
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tribes, in token of their communion with their brethren and their
|
|
joint-interest with them in the altar of the Lord. Christ is the great
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altar that sanctifies every gift; the best evidence of our interest in
|
|
him will be the pattern of his Spirit in our hearts, and our conformity
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|
to him. If we can produce this it will be a testimony for us that we
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have <I>a part in the Lord,</I> and an earnest of our perseverance in
|
|
following him.</P>
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<A NAME="Jos22_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_33"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jos22_34"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the
|
|
congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which <I>were</I>
|
|
with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the
|
|
children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased
|
|
them.
|
|
31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the
|
|
children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the
|
|
children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I>
|
|
among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the
|
|
hand of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes,
|
|
returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of
|
|
Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the
|
|
children of Israel, and brought them word again.
|
|
33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the
|
|
children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up
|
|
against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children
|
|
of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
|
|
34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called
|
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the altar <I>Ed:</I> for it <I>shall be</I> a witness between us that the
|
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the good issue of this controversy, which, if there had
|
|
not been on both sides a disposition to peace, as there was on both
|
|
sides a zeal for God, might have been of ill consequence; for quarrels
|
|
about religion, for want of wisdom and love, often prove the most
|
|
fierce and most difficult to be accommodated. But these contending
|
|
parties, when the matter was fairly stated and argued, were so happy as
|
|
to understand one another very well, and so the difference was
|
|
presently compromised.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The ambassadors were exceedingly pleased when the separate tribes
|
|
had given in a protestation of the innocency of their intentions in
|
|
building this altar.
|
|
|
|
1. The ambassadors did not call in question their sincerity in that
|
|
protestation, did not say, "You tell us you design it not for sacrifice
|
|
and offering, but who can believe you? What security will you give us
|
|
that it shall never be so used?" No. <I>Charity believes all things,
|
|
hopes all things,</I> believes and hopes the best, and is very loth to
|
|
give the lie to any.
|
|
|
|
2. They did not upbraid them with the rashness and unadvisedness of
|
|
this action, did not tell them, "If you would do such a thing, and with
|
|
this good intention, yet you might have had so much respect for Joshua
|
|
and Eleazar as to have advised with them, or at least have made them
|
|
acquainted with it, and so have saved the trouble and expense of this
|
|
embassy." But a little want of consideration and good manners should be
|
|
excused and overlooked in those who, we have reason to think, mean
|
|
honestly.
|
|
|
|
3. Much less did they go about to fish for evidence to make out their
|
|
charge, because they had once exhibited it, but were glad to have their
|
|
mistake rectified, and were not at all ashamed to own it. Proud and
|
|
peevish spirits, when they have passed an unjust censure upon their
|
|
brethren, though ever so much convincing evidence be brought of the
|
|
injustice of it, will stand to it, and can by no means be persuaded to
|
|
retract it. These ambassadors were not so prejudiced; their brethren's
|
|
vindication pleased them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
They looked upon their innocency as a token of God's presence
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
especially when they found that what was done was so far from being an
|
|
indication of their growing cool to the altar of God that, one the
|
|
contrary, it was a fruit of their zealous affection to it: <I>You have
|
|
delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord,</I> that
|
|
is, "You have not, as we feared, delivered them into the hand of the
|
|
Lord, or exposed them to his judgments by the trespass we were jealous
|
|
of."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The congregation was abundantly satisfied when their ambassadors
|
|
reported to them their brethren's apology for what they had done. It
|
|
should seem they staid together, at least by their representatives,
|
|
until they heard the issue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>);
|
|
|
|
and when they understood the truth of the matter it pleased them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
and they <I>blessed God.</I> Note, Our brethren's constancy in
|
|
religion, their zeal for the power of godliness, and their keeping the
|
|
<I>unity of the Spirit</I> in faith and love, notwithstanding the
|
|
jealousies conceived of them as breaking the unity of the church, are
|
|
things which we should be very glad to be satisfied of, and should make
|
|
the matter both of our rejoicing and of our thanksgiving; let God have
|
|
the glory of it, and let us take the comfort of it. Being thus
|
|
satisfied, they laid down their arms immediately, and were so far from
|
|
any thoughts of prosecuting the war they had been meditating against
|
|
their brethren that we may suppose them wishing for the next feast,
|
|
when they should meet them at Shiloh.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The separate tribes were gratified, and, since they had a mind to
|
|
preserve among them this pattern of the altar of God, though there was
|
|
not likely to be that occasion for it which they fancied, yet Joshua
|
|
and the princes let them have their humour, and did not give orders for
|
|
the demolishing of it, though there was as much reason to fear that it
|
|
might in process of time be an occasion of idolatry as there was to
|
|
hope that ever it might be a preservation from idolatry. Thus did
|
|
<I>the strong bear the infirmities of the weak.</I> Only care was taken
|
|
that they having explained the meaning of their altar, that it was
|
|
intended for no more than a testimony of their communion with the altar
|
|
at Shiloh, this explanation should be recorded, which was done
|
|
according to the usage of those times by giving a name to it signifying
|
|
so much
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+21:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>);
|
|
|
|
they called it <I>Ed, a witness</I> to that, and no more, a witness of
|
|
the relation they stood in to God and Israel, and of their concurrence
|
|
with the rest of the tribes in the same common faith, <I>that Jehovah
|
|
he is God,</I> he and no other. It was a witness to posterity of their
|
|
care to transmit their religion pure and entire to them, and would be a
|
|
witness against them if ever they should forsake God and turn from
|
|
following after him.</P>
|
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