mh_parser/vol_split/6 - Joshua/Chapter 8.xml

<div2 id="Jos.ix" n="ix" next="Jos.x" prev="Jos.viii" progress="4.11%" title="Chapter VIII">
<h2 id="Jos.ix-p0.1">J O S H U A</h2>
<h3 id="Jos.ix-p0.2">CHAP. VIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jos.ix-p1">The embarrassment which Achan's sin gave to the
affairs of Israel being over, we have them here in a very good
posture again, the affairs both of war and religion. Here is, I.
The glorious progress of their arms in the taking of Ai, before
which they had lately suffered disgrace. 1. God encourages Joshua
to attack it, with the assurance of success, and directs him what
method to take, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.1-Josh.8.2" parsed="|Josh|8|1|8|2" passage="Jos 8:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>.
2. Joshua gives orders accordingly to the men of war, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.3-Josh.8.8" parsed="|Josh|8|3|8|8" passage="Jos 8:3-8">ver. 3-8</scripRef>. 3. The stratagem is
managed as it was projected, and succeeds as it was desired,
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.9-Josh.8.22" parsed="|Josh|8|9|8|22" passage="Jos 8:9-22">ver. 9-22</scripRef>. 4. Joshua
becomes master of this city, puts all the inhabitants to the sword,
burns it, hangs the king, but gives the plunder to the soldiers,
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.23-Josh.8.29" parsed="|Josh|8|23|8|29" passage="Jos 8:23-29">ver. 23-29</scripRef>. II. The
great solemnity of writing and reading the law before a general
assembly of all Israel, drawn up for that purpose upon the two
mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, according to an order which Moses
had received from the Lord, and delivered to them, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.30-Josh.8.35" parsed="|Josh|8|30|8|35" passage="Jos 8:30-35">ver. 30-35</scripRef>. Thus did they take
their work before them, and make the business of their religion to
keep pace with their secular business.</p>
<scripCom id="Jos.ix-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8" parsed="|Josh|8|0|0|0" passage="Jos 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jos.ix-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.1-Josh.8.2" parsed="|Josh|8|1|8|2" passage="Jos 8:1-2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.8.1-Josh.8.2">
<h4 id="Jos.ix-p1.8">The Destruction of Ai. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.ix-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p2.1">Lord</span>
said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the
people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given
into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his
land:   2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst
unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle
thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an
ambush for the city behind it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p3">Israel were very happy in having such a
commander as Joshua, but Joshua was more happy in having such a
director as God himself; when any difficulty occurred, he needed
not to call a council of war who had <i>God so nigh unto him,</i>
not only to answer, but even to anticipate, his enquiries. It
should seem, Joshua was now at a stand, had scarcely recovered the
discomposure he was put into by the trouble Achan gave them, and
could not think, without fear and trembling, of pushing forward,
lest there should be in the camp another Achan; then God spoke to
him, either by vision, as before (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.5.1-Josh.5.15" parsed="|Josh|5|1|5|15" passage="Jos 5:1-15"><i>ch.</i> v.</scripRef>), or by the breastplate of
judgment. Note, When we have faithfully put away sin, that accursed
thing, which <i>separates between us and God,</i> then, and not
till then, we may expect to hear from God to our comfort; and God's
directing us how to go on in our Christian work and warfare is a
good evidence of his being reconciled to us. Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p4">I. The encouragement God gives to Joshua to
proceed: <i>Fear not, neither be thou dismayed,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.1" parsed="|Josh|8|1|0|0" passage="Jos 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. This intimates that the
sin of Achan, and the consequences of it, had been a very great
discouragement to Joshua, and made his heart almost ready to fail.
Corruptions within the church weaken the hands, and damp the
spirits, of her guides and helpers, more than oppositions from
without; treacherous Israelites are to be dreaded more than
malicious Canaanites. But God bids Joshua not be dismayed; the same
power that keeps Israel from being ruined by their enemies shall
keep them from ruining themselves. To animate him, 1. He assures
him of success against Ai, tells him it is all his own; but he must
take it as God's gift: <i>I have given it into thy hands,</i> which
secured him both title and possession, and obliged him to give God
the glory of both, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.44.3" parsed="|Ps|44|3|0|0" passage="Ps 44:3">Ps. xliv.
3</scripRef>. 2. He allows the people to take the spoil to
themselves. Here the spoil was not consecrated to God as that of
Jericho, and therefore there was no danger of the people's
committing such a trespass as they had committed there. Observe,
How Achan who caught at forbidden spoil lost that, and life, and
all, but the rest of the people who had conscientiously refrained
from the accursed thing were quickly recompensed for their
obedience with the spoil of Ai. The way to have the comfort of what
God allows us is to forbear what he forbids us. No man shall lose
by his self-denial; let God have his dues first, and then all will
be clean to us and sure, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.17.13" parsed="|1Kgs|17|13|0|0" passage="1Ki 17:13">1 Kings
xvii. 13</scripRef>. God did not bring them to these <i>goodly
cities,</i> and <i>houses filled with all good things,</i> to
tantalize them with the sight of that which they might not touch;
but, having received the first-fruits from Jericho, the spoil of
Ai, and of all the cities which thenceforward came into their
hands, they might take for a prey to themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p5">II. The direction he gives him in attacking
Ai. It must not be such a work of time as the taking of Jericho
was; this would have prolonged the war too much. Those that had
patiently waited seven days for Jericho shall have Ai given them in
one day. Nor was it, as that, to be taken by miracle, and purely by
the act of God, but now their own conduct and courage must be
exercised; having seen God work for them, they must now bestir
themselves. God directs him, 1. To take all the people, that they
might all be spectators of the action and sharers in the spoil.
Hereby God gave him a tacit rebuke for sending so small a
detachment against Ai in the former attempt upon it, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.7.4" parsed="|Josh|7|4|0|0" passage="Jos 7:4"><i>ch.</i> vii. 4</scripRef>. 2. To lay an ambush
behind the city; this was a method which perhaps Joshua would not
have thought of at this time, if God had not directed him to it;
and though now we are not to expect direction, as here, by visions,
voices, or oracles, yet, whenever those who are entrusted with
public councils take prudent measures for the public good, it must
be acknowledged that God puts it into their hearts; he that teaches
the husbandman discretion no doubt teaches statesman and
general.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.ix-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.3-Josh.8.22" parsed="|Josh|8|3|8|22" passage="Jos 8:3-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.8.3-Josh.8.22">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.ix-p6">3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to
go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men
of valour, and sent them away by night.   4 And he commanded
them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city,
<i>even</i> behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be
ye all ready:   5 And I, and all the people that <i>are</i>
with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass,
when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee
before them,   6 (For they will come out after us) till we
have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before
us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.   7
Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p6.1">Lord</span> your God will deliver it
into your hand.   8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the
city, <i>that</i> ye shall set the city on fire: according to the
commandment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p6.2">Lord</span> shall ye do.
See, I have commanded you.   9 Joshua therefore sent them
forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and
Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the
people.   10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and
numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel,
before the people to Ai.   11 And all the people, <i>even the
people</i> of war that <i>were</i> with him, went up, and drew
nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of
Ai: now <i>there was</i> a valley between them and Ai.   12
And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush
between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.   13 And
when they had set the people, <i>even</i> all the host that
<i>was</i> on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the
west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the
valley.   14 And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw
<i>it,</i> that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the
city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a
time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that <i>there
were</i> liers in ambush against him behind the city.   15 And
Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and
fled by the way of the wilderness.   16 And all the people
that <i>were</i> in Ai were called together to pursue after them:
and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.
  17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went
not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued
after Israel.   18 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p6.3">Lord</span>
said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that <i>is</i> in thy hand
toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched
out the spear that <i>he had</i> in his hand toward the city.
  19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they
ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into
the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.  
20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and,
behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had
no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to
the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.   21 And when
Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and
that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and
slew the men of Ai.   22 And the other issued out of the city
against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this
side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let
none of them remain or escape.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p7">We have here an account of the taking of Ai
by stratagem. The stratagem here used, we are sure, was lawful and
good; God himself appointed it, and we have no reason to think but
that the like is lawful and good in other wars. Here was no league
broken, no treaty of peace, that the advantage was gained; no,
these are sacred things, and not to be jested with, nor used to
serve a turn; truth, when once it is plighted, becomes a debt even
to the enemy. But in this stratagem here was no untruth told;
nothing was concealed but their own counsels, which no enemy ever
pretended a right to be entrusted with; nothing was dissembled,
nothing counterfeited but a retreat, which was no natural or
necessary indication at all of their inability to maintain their
onset, or of any design not to renew it. The enemy ought to have
been upon their guard, and to have kept within the defence of their
own walls. Common prudence, had they been governed by it, would
have directed them not to venture on the pursuit of an army which
they saw was so far superior to them in numbers, and leave their
city unguarded; but (<i>si populus vult decipi, decipiatur—if the
people will be deceived, let them</i>) if the Canaanites will be so
easily imposed upon, and in pursuit of God's Israel will break
through all the laws of policy and good management, the Israelites
are not at all to be blamed for taking advantage of their fury and
thoughtlessness; nor is it any way inconsistent with the character
God is pleased to give of them, that they are <i>children that will
not lie.</i> Now in the account here given of this matter,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p8">I. There is some difficulty in adjusting
the numbers that were employed to effect it. Mention is made
(<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.3" parsed="|Josh|8|3|0|0" passage="Jos 8:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) of 30,000 that
were <i>chosen and sent away by night,</i> to whom the charge was
given to surprise the city as soon as ever they perceived it was
evacuated, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.4 Bible:Josh.8.7 Bible:Josh.8.8" parsed="|Josh|8|4|0|0;|Josh|8|7|0|0;|Josh|8|8|0|0" passage="Jos 8:4,7,8"><i>v.</i> 4, 7,
8</scripRef>. And yet afterwards (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.12" parsed="|Josh|8|12|0|0" passage="Jos 8:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>) it is said, Joshua <i>took</i>
5000 <i>men and set them to lie in ambush</i> behind the city, and
that <i>ambush entered the city,</i> and <i>set it on fire,</i>
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.19" parsed="|Josh|8|19|0|0" passage="Jos 8:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. Now, 1. Some
think there were two parties sent out to lie in ambush, 30,000
first, and afterwards 5000 to guard the roads, and to intercept
those that were first sent out; and that Joshua made his open
attack upon the city with all the thousands of Israel. So the
learned bishop Patrick, insisting upon God's command (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.1" parsed="|Josh|8|1|0|0" passage="Jos 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>) to take <i>all the people
of war with him.</i> But, 2. Others think that all the people were
taken only to encamp before the city, and that out of them Joshua
chose out 30,000 men to be employed in the action, out of which he
sent out 5000 to lie in ambush, which were as many as could be
supposed to march <i>incognito—without being discovered</i> (more
would have been seen, and thus the design would have been broken)
and that then with the other 25,000 he made the open attack, as
Masius thinks, or with the 30,000, which, as Calvin thinks, he kept
entire for that purpose, having, besides them, sent out 5000 for an
ambuscade. And those 5000 (they think) must be meant by those
(<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.3" parsed="|Josh|8|3|0|0" passage="Jos 8:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) whom he
<i>sent away by night,</i> with orders to lie in wait behind the
city, though the particular number is not specified till <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.12" parsed="|Josh|8|12|0|0" passage="Jos 8:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. If we admit such a
seeming disturbance in the order of the narrative (of which,
perhaps, similar instances might be cited from the other scripture
histories), it seems most probable that there was but one
ambushment, which consisted only of 5000, enough for such a
purpose.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p9">II. Yet the principal parts of the story
are plain enough, that a detachment being secretly marched behind
the city, on the other side to that on which the main body of the
army lay (the situation of the country, it is probable, favouring
their concealment), Joshua, and the forces with him, faced the
city; the garrison made a vigorous sally out upon them, whereupon
they withdrew, gave ground, and retreated in some seeming disorder
towards the wilderness, which being perceived by the men of Ai,
they drew out all the force they had to pursue them. This gave a
fair opportunity for those that lay in ambush to make themselves
masters of the city, whereof when they had given notice by a smoke
to Joshua, he, with all his force, returned upon the pursuers, who
now, when it was too late, were aware of the snare they were drawn
into, and, their retreat being intercepted, they were every man of
them cut off. The like artifice we find used, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.20.30" parsed="|Judg|20|30|0|0" passage="Jdg 20:30">Judg. xx. 30</scripRef>, &amp;c. Now in this story we
may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p10">1. What a brave commander Joshua was. See,
(1.) His conduct and prudence. God gave him the hint (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.2" parsed="|Josh|8|2|0|0" passage="Jos 8:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) that he should lay an
ambush behind the city, but left him to himself to order the
particulars, which he did admirably well. Doubtless <i>wisdom
strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men,</i> <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.7.19" parsed="|Eccl|7|19|0|0" passage="Ec 7:19">Eccl. vii. 19</scripRef>. (2.) His care and
industry (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.10" parsed="|Josh|8|10|0|0" passage="Jos 8:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>):
<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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.5" parsed="|Josh|8|5|0|0" passage="Jos 8:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. Being himself also an elder, he took the elders of
Israel with him to make this attack upon the city (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.10" parsed="|Josh|8|10|0|0" passage="Jos 8:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.13" parsed="|Josh|8|13|0|0" passage="Jos 8:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): 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
(<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.18" parsed="|Josh|8|18|0|0" passage="Jos 8:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>, 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
had 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 class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p11">2. What an obedient people Israel was. What
<i>Joshua commanded them to do, according to the commandment of the
Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.8" parsed="|Josh|8|8|0|0" passage="Jos 8:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p12">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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.14" parsed="|Josh|8|14|0|0" passage="Jos 8:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.17" parsed="|Josh|8|17|0|0" passage="Jos 8:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. 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
(<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.6" parsed="|Josh|8|6|0|0" passage="Jos 8:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): <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> <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.5-Isa.10.7" parsed="|Isa|10|5|10|7" passage="Isa 10:5-7">Isa. x.
5-7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p13">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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.20.5" parsed="|Job|20|5|0|0" passage="Job 20:5">Job xx. 5</scripRef>.
They are <i>exalted for a little while,</i> that their fall and
ruin may be the sorer, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.24.24" parsed="|Job|24|24|0|0" passage="Job 24:24">Job xxiv.
24</scripRef>. See how easily, how quickly, the scale turns against
those that have not God on their side.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.ix-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.23-Josh.8.29" parsed="|Josh|8|23|8|29" passage="Jos 8:23-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.8.23-Josh.8.29">
<p class="passage" id="Jos.ix-p14">23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and
brought him to <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.24" parsed="|Josh|24|0|0|0" passage="Joshua. 24">Joshua.   24</scripRef> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p14.2">Lord</span> which he commanded <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.28" parsed="|Josh|28|0|0|0" passage="Joshua. 28">Joshua.   28</scripRef> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p15">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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.24" parsed="|Josh|8|24|0|0" passage="Jos 8:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.17" parsed="|Josh|8|17|0|0" passage="Jos 8:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Josh.12.16" parsed="|Josh|12|16|0|0" passage="Jos 12:16"><i>ch.</i>
xii. 16</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.26" parsed="|Josh|8|26|0|0" passage="Jos 8:26"><i>v.</i>
26</scripRef>) that <i>Joshua drew not his hand back wherewith he
stretched out the spear</i> (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.18" parsed="|Josh|8|18|0|0" passage="Jos 8:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>) 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,
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.27" parsed="|Josh|8|27|0|0" passage="Jos 8:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.31.26" parsed="|Num|31|26|0|0" passage="Nu 31:26">Num. xxxi. 26</scripRef>, &amp;c. It was not
seized with irregularity or violence, for God is the God of order
and equity, and not of confusion. 3. They laid the city in ashes,
and left it to remain so, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.8" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.28" parsed="|Josh|8|28|0|0" passage="Jos 8:28"><i>v.</i>
28</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.9" osisRef="Bible:Neh.11.31" parsed="|Neh|11|31|0|0" passage="Ne 11:31">Neh. xi. 31</scripRef>.
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>
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p15.10" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.23 Bible:Josh.8.29" parsed="|Josh|8|23|0|0;|Josh|8|29|0|0" passage="Jos 8:23,29"><i>v.</i> 23, 29</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Jos.ix-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.30-Josh.8.35" parsed="|Josh|8|30|8|35" passage="Jos 8:30-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Josh.8.30-Josh.8.35">
<h4 id="Jos.ix-p15.12">Sacrifice Offered on Mount Ebal; The Reading
of the Law. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p15.13">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jos.ix-p16">30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p16.1">Lord</span> God of Israel in mount Ebal,  
31 As Moses the servant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p16.2">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p16.3">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p16.4">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Jos.ix-p16.5">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p17">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, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.10.1-Josh.11.23" parsed="|Josh|10|1|11|23" passage="Jos 10:1-11:23"><i>ch.</i> x. and
xi</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.33" parsed="|Matt|6|33|0|0" passage="Mt 6:33">Matt. vi. 33</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.35.5" parsed="|Gen|35|5|0|0" passage="Ge 35:5">Gen. xxxv. 5</scripRef>. Note, When we are in the
way of duty God takes us under his special protection.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p18">Twice Moses had given express orders for
this solemnity; once <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.11.29-Deut.11.30" parsed="|Deut|11|29|11|30" passage="De 11:29,30">Deut. xi. 29,
30</scripRef>, where he seems to have pointed to the very place
where it was to be performed; and again <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.27.2" parsed="|Deut|27|2|0|0" passage="De 27:2">Deut. xxvii. 2</scripRef>, &amp;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 class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p19">I. They built an altar, and offered
sacrifice to God (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.30-Josh.8.31" parsed="|Josh|8|30|8|31" passage="Jos 8:30,31"><i>v.</i> 30,
31</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.11.29" parsed="|Deut|11|29|0|0" passage="De 11:29">Deut. xi. 29</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.13" parsed="|Gal|3|13|0|0" passage="Ga 3:13">Gal. iii.
13</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Hos.1.10" parsed="|Hos|1|10|0|0" passage="Ho 1:10">Hos. i. 10</scripRef>. The curses pronounced on Mount
Ebal would immediately have been executed if atonement had not been
made by sacrifice. By the sacrifices offered on this altar they did
likewise give God the glory of the victories they had already
obtained, as <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.17.15" parsed="|Exod|17|15|0|0" passage="Ex 17:15">Exod. xvii.
15</scripRef>. Now that they had had the comfort of them, in the
spoils of Ai, it was fit that God should have the praise of them.
And they also implored his favour for their future success; for
supplications as well as thanksgivings were intended in their
peace-offerings. The way to prosper in all that we put our hand to
is to take God along with us, and in all our ways to acknowledge
him by prayer, praise, and dependence. The altar they built was of
rough unhewn stone, according to the law (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.20.25" parsed="|Exod|20|25|0|0" passage="Ex 20:25">Exod. xx. 25</scripRef>), for that which is most plain
and natural, and least artful and affected, in the worship of God,
he is best pleased with. Man's device can add no beauty to God's
institutions.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p20">II. They received the law from God; and
this those must do that would find favour with him, and expect to
have their offerings accepted; for, if we turn away our ear from
hearing the law, our prayers will be an abomination. When God took
Israel into covenant he gave them his law, and they, in token of
their consent to the covenant, subjected themselves to the law. Now
here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p21">1. The law of the ten commandments was
written upon stones in the presence of all Israel, as an abridgment
of the whole, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.32" parsed="|Josh|8|32|0|0" passage="Jos 8:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>.
This copy was not graven in the stone, as that which was reserved
in the ark: That was to be done only by the finger of God; it is
his prerogative to write the law in the heart. But the stones were
plastered, and it was written upon the plaster, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.27.4 Bible:Deut.27.8" parsed="|Deut|27|4|0|0;|Deut|27|8|0|0" passage="De 27:4,8">Deut. xxvii. 4, 8</scripRef>. It was written, that all
might see what it was that they consented to, and that it might be
a standing remaining testimony to posterity of God's goodness in
giving them such good laws, and a testimony against them if they
were disobedient to them. It is a great mercy to any people to have
the law of God in writing, and it is fit that the written law
should be exposed to common view in a known tongue, that it may be
seen and read of all men.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p22">2. The blessings and the curses, the
sanctions of the law, were publicly read, and the people (we may
suppose), according to Moses's appointment, said <i>Amen</i> to
them, <scripRef id="Jos.ix-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.33-Josh.8.34" parsed="|Josh|8|33|8|34" passage="Jos 8:33,34"><i>v.</i> 33,
34</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p23">(1.) The auditory was very large. [1.] The
greatest prince was not excused. The elders, officers, and judges,
are not above the cognizance of the law, but will come under 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 to go before the people therein. [2.] The poorest stranger was
not excluded. Here was a general naturalization of them: as well
the stranger as he that was born among them was taken into
covenant. This was an encouragement to proselytes, and a happy
presage of the kindnesses intended for the poor Gentiles in the
latter days.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p24">(2.) The tribes were posted, as Moses
directed, six towards Gerizim and six towards Ebal. And the ark in
the midst of the valley was between 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 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>
<p class="indent" id="Jos.ix-p25">3. The law itself also containing the
precepts and prohibitions was read (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Josh.8.35" parsed="|Josh|8|35|0|0" passage="Jos 8:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>), 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
(<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.31.10-Deut.31.11" parsed="|Deut|31|10|31|11" passage="De 31:10,11">Deut. xxxi. 10, 11</scripRef>),
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 (<scripRef id="Jos.ix-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.62.11" parsed="|Ps|62|11|0|0" passage="Ps 62:11">Ps. lxii.
11</scripRef>) and to review what had been delivered to us, or to
have it repeated, that we may not let it slip. (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>
</div></div2>