you: 13 Know for a certainty that the LORD k 12. Ex. 23:33. Deut. 7:2,3. Prov. 4:14. 1 Cor. 15:33. 2 Cor. 6:11-17. Eph. 5:11. Ex. 23:13. Num 32:38. Ps. 16:4. Hos. 2:17. m Jer. 5:7. Zeph. 1:5. Or, For if ye will cleave, &c. n 22:5. Deut. 4:4. 10:20. 11:22. 13:4. Acts 11:23. f Or, Then the Lord will drive. p Lev. 26:8. Deut. 32:30. Judg. q 10:42. Ex. 14:14. 23:27. Deut. 3.22. 20:4. Ps. 35:1. 44:4,5. 46: 7. Rom. 8:31. r 22:5. Deut. 4:9. 6:5-12. Prov. 4:23. Luke 21:34. Eph. 5:15. Heb. 12:15. Ex. 20:6. Rom. 8:28. 1 Cor. 8:3. 16:22. Jude 20,21. t Ps. 36:3. 125:5. u Gen. 2:24. 34:3. 1 Sam. 18:1 1 proving their advantages, as the Lord by Moses had commanded them. (Notes, 16:10. 17:11-13.) -It is evident that the people at this time possessed and might read the books of Moses; otherwise there could have been no ground for an exhortation in the words here used. your God will no more drive out any of these nations fron: before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. a 14 And behold this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. с that 15 Therefore it shall come to pass, as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you: so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land, which the LORD your God hath given you. 16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. x Ex. 23:33. Num. 33:55. Deut. y Deut. 7:16. Judg. 2:3. Ps. 69: z Lev. 26:31-35. Deut. 4:26. a 1 Kings 2:2. Job 30:23. Ec. 9:10. 12:5. Heb. 9:27. 21:43-45. Ex. 3:8. 23:27-30. Lev. 26:3-13. Num. 23:19. Deut. 28:1-14. 1 Sam. 3:19. 1 Kings 2:56. Luke 21:33. c Lev. 26:14,&c. Deut. 28:1568. Judg. 3:8,12. 4:1,2. 6:1. 10: 6.7. 13:1. 2 Chr. 36:16,17. Luke 21:22-24. 1 Thes. 2:16. d 13. Canaanites, so long as they cleaved unto the Lord, seeing he himself "would fight for them." (Marg. Ref. Note, Deut. 32:30,31.) V. 11-13. Marg. Ref.-Snares and traps, &c. (13) The remnant of these nations would first be "snares and traps" to the people, and then V. 7. The habitual mention of the names of "scourges in their sides, and thorns in their eyes." idols, had it been allowed, would gradually have If they entered into any amicable correspondence introduced the custom of swearing by them in with them, the women would allure them to form common discourse: and this would have abated connexions and marriages with them; and by their the abhorrence of idolatry, and have prepared the blandishments entice them to idolatry. (Notes, way for other more express acts of idolatry. It is Ex. 23:32,33. 34:11-17. Num. 25:1-5. 31:14— also generally supposed, that Israel must not put 18. Deut. 7:1-4.) Thus they would be taken in an idolater to his oath, so as to cause him to swear Satan's snares and traps: for Canaanites must alby his idol; or form any agreement, in which ways be enemies to Israelites under every mask; such oaths were used. This would tend exceed- and they would watch every opportunity of avengingly to prevent all compacts with idolaters.-ing themselves. So that, when Israel had proThe paintings, statues, and poems, exquisitely voked the Lord to withdraw his protection, these finished by human ingenuity, but replete with nations would be ready instruments of their chasreferences to the detestable heathen mythology, tisement; but, if that did not bring them to repentwhich abound in Christian countries, tend ex- ance, their cruelties would torment them as a ceedingly to habituate the mind, to reflect upon thorn in the eye would do, and at length even the Roman and Grecian idolatry without horror, drive them out of the promised land.--The subsenay with a kind of pleasure; to banish the lan- quent history abundantly illustrates these emguage of piety from men's lips; and thus to sub-phatical expressions. (Marg. Ref. x, y.) serve in no small degree, the cause of skepticism, V. 14-16. The Israelites were deeply affectinfidelity, and ungodliness. (Note, Ex. 23:13.) ed with the wonderful performance of the promV. 10. After the people were dispersed in ises, which God had made to their fathers; and their possessions, they might not be able to bring Joshua, almost with his last breath, (as he suppos such large armies into the field, as when encamp-ed,) most solemnly assured them, that the threated in one body: but that ought not to discourage enings would be accomplished with equal certain mem; for one Israelite should chase a thousand ty and exactness, whenever they transgressed [683 CHAP. XXIV. Joshua convenes Israel, and lays before them a brief history of the Lord's kindness to their ancestors from the days of and 1--13. He engages them to choose the service of God, renews the covenant, 14-25. He sets up a stone as a memorial, 26-28. His death, age, and burial, 29, 30. Israel serves the Lord till some time after Joshua's death, 31. Joseph's bones are buried, and Eleazar dies, 32, 33. A a b ND Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves. before God. 2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old times, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. 3 And I took your father Abraham e a Gen. 12:6. 33:13,19. 35:1. Judg. 9:1-3. 1 Kings 12:1. b 23:2. Ex 18:25,26. c 1 Sam. 10:19. Acts 10:33. d Gen. 11:26,31. 12:1. 31:53. Deut. 26:5. Is. 51:2. Ez. 16:3. Neh. 9:7,8. their covenant by apostacy and idolatry. (Notes, Lev. 26:14-29. Deut. 4:25-28. 28:15-68. 29:18 -28. 32:19-36. Dan. 9:12-14.) filled with an abhorrence of every kind of ungodliness, equal to that which the most conscientious persons feel of murder or adultery; for, whatever fallen man may think to the contrary, the guilt of PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. neglecting and despising the glorious God our Through the deceitfulness of the human heart, Creator is far greater, than that of injuring our we are never more in danger of forgetting the fellow-creatures. (Note, Ps. 51:4.)-Our inward Lord, than when most favored with temporal pros- foes are the most dangerous; and they will cause perity. They who possess influence, from age, us much misery, unless we oppose and mortify authority, reputation for wisdom and piety, or them with unrelenting severity: so that this war eminent services, should employ it all, with un- fare will require great courage and resolution. wearied perseverance, to their latest breath, in And if we resolutely adhere to the word of God promoting the practice of true godliness.--Grati-as our rule, turning aside neither to the right tude, duty, and regard to our own best happiness, hand nor to the left; we shall certainly be hated, with united energy, require us to adhere to our despised, and reproached, by them whose pride is profession of the gospel and to walk consistently affronted, or whose consciences are made uneasy, with it: yet we all need to be frequently reminded, through our holy singularity and faithful reproof. exhorted, and warned concerning these things. We need not however fear them; "for the LORD (Note, Acts 11:23,24.)--As long as men cleave to our God will fight for us, as he hath promised," the Lord, though they have abated somewhat of and nothing shall by any means hurt us: and their fervor and diligence, there is good ground though useful instruments and valued friends may of hope that admonitions will have a proper effect: be removed; yet the Lord ever liveth to protect, but the diseases of the soul, like those of the body, uphold, guide, comfort, and bless us. But sinners should be resisted before they have gathered have cause to tremble at his indignation: for he strength. We cannot too often be called upon, will as surely execute his most tremendous threatto meditate on the past and present kindness of enings, as perform his largest promises; and hypoGod to us; and to reflect upon his gracious prom-crites or apostates will be as severely dealt with ises, and awful threatenings: and we should treasure up our experience of the exact performance of his word, to strengthen our expectation of its entire accomplishment in due season; for hope and fear, and every passion, ought to be engaged to restrain men from sin, and to keep them close to their duty. It is true wisdom to discern and shun the temptations and inlets to sin, of which none are more dangerous than ungodly compan- CHAP. XXIV. V. 1. To Shechem.] Shechem ions. Acquaintance, friendship, and marriage, was nearer than Shiloh to Timnath-serah, Joshwith persons of no religion, or of false religion, ua's residence; (Note, 19:49,50.) and he being old have generally been progressive steps towards the and infirm, convened the tribes and elders of Ismere professor's apostacy, and the believer's loss rael to that place. Some think, that he caused of all his earnestness, comfort, and usefulness. the ark and the tabernacle to be conveyed thither (Note, Gen. 6:1,2.) They, who at first are tempt-on this occasion, to give the greater solemnity to will eventually prove the scourges of those, his last meeting with his people; for it is said, who have listened to their seductions: and either "They presented themselves before God."-Findbitter distress in this world, or utter destructioning his life prolonged, perhaps beyond expectain the world to come, are the unavoidable effects of yielding to temptation. This all ought "to know for a certainty," that they "may take good heed unto themselves," and not allow the love of any creature to seduce them from the love of God, and obedience to his laws.-Our minds should be 684] ers, as open infidels and profligates. Let us then "watch and pray that we enter not into tempta tion;" let us trust in the faithfulness, love, and power of God; let us plead his promises and cleave to his commandments; and then we shall be happy in life, in death, and for ever! NOTES. tion, he was desirous of once more enforcing upon Euphrates. It is said, that "they served other r 8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: 10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand. 11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, gods:" hence it is evident that Abraham, (as well as Terah and Nahor,) had been guilty of idolatry; and this was probably the case till he was called to the knowledge of God, when above seventy years of age. (Note, Gen. 11:28--32.) V. 3-8. Marg. Ref.-Your eyes have seen. (7) Many of those who, being under twenty years of age, had witnessed these miracles, were doubtless still living; and several of the elders, judges, and officers whom Joshua addressed, might be of this number. V. 9, 10. Balak intended war against Israel, and previously called Balaam to curse them, which he would gladly have done: but, as the Lord refused to grant his desires or prayers, Balak being discouraged, desisted from his purpose. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Num. 22:—25:) and the Jebusites; and 1 delivered them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. c d a 13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them: of the vineyards and olive-yards which ye planted not do ye eat. [Practical Observations.] 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods, which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 16 And the people answered and said, f y Deut. 6:10,11. 8:7. c 23. Gen. 17:1. 20:5,6. Deut. 1:10. h d 2,23. Gen. 35:2. Ex. 20:3,4. Lev. 17:7. Ezra 9:11. Ez. 20: 18. Am. 5:25,26. e Ez. 20:7,8. 23:3. f Ruth 1:15. 1 Kings 18:21. Ez. 20:39. John 6:6. g Ex. 23:24,32,33. 34:15. Deut. 13:7. 29:18. Judg. 6:10. h Gen. 18:19. Ps. 119:106,111, 112. John 6:68. Acts 11:23. they meant to be sincere and entire in the service of JEHOVAH. V. 15. The Lord has an unalienable right to the service of all his rational creatures, which cannot be withheld, without contracting the deepest guilt, and incurring the severest vengeance. But it is essential to this service, that it be performed with a willing mind; for LOVE is the very substance of it, and its only genuine principle: (Notes, Ex. 20:2. Deut. 6:5.) "The Father seeketh such to worship him, as worship him in Spirit, and truth." But "the carnal mind is enmity against God," and therefore incapable of this spiritual worship: and hence the necessity of being born again. (Notes, John 3:3—8. 4:21—24.) When, however, we discover this necessity, and the nature of the gracious change intended by that emphatical expression, we are induced to seek it V. 12. The hornet.] Probably these insects in the use of appointed means; and thus at length so infested the armies of Sihon and Og, and after-we become consciously and experimentally parwards of the Canaanites, when preparing for the battle, as to throw them into confusion, and give the Israelites an easy victory; which demanded the greater gratitude from them, not having been obtained by their sword or bow. (Notes, Ex. 23:|| 28. Ps. 44:1-3.) V. 11. Notes, 3:--11: V. 14. It seems that the Israelites still retained some relics of the idolatry of their progenitors, which from time to time some of them secretly worshipped. In this very place Jacob had "put away the strange gods" which were in his family, and buried them under an vak. (Notes, Gen. 35: 2,4.) But his descendants had formed other images of the same supposed deities, as well as of the idols of Egypt; and had not, during all the days of Moses, been induced to destroy them all, as Joshua well knew: he therefore insisted upon it that they should put them all away together, if takers of it, and are numbered among those who worship God in fruth and love. But, in the visible church, numbers have always rested in the mere form, as an unpleasant task to which they submit, to avoid as they hope worse consequences: and a great part of the usefulness of preaching consists, in discovering the difference betwixt the form and the power of godliness; and in stirring up the minds of men, from resting in the former, to seek after the latter. The method, which Joshua adopted in treating with the Israelites, was admirably calculated, and evidently intended, to produce this effect. Many of them were already spiritual worshippers: a much greater number might be favorably disposed toward the worship and service of God, but, through procrastination and worldly avocations, not yet fully engaged in it: and doubtless many had a secret dislike to re 'God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; k 17 For the LORD our God, * he it is that brought us up, and our fathers, out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: 18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. 19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an "holy God; he is a jealous God; Phe will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. m 20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do i 1 Sam. 12:23. Rom. 3:6, 6:2. Heb. 10:38,39. k 514. Ex. 19:4. Deut. 32:11, 12. Is. 46:4. 63:7-14. Am. 2: 9.10. 1 Ex. 10:2. 15:2. Ps. 116:16. Mic. 4.2. Zech. 8:23. Luke 1: 73,74. m 23. Ruth 1:15. Matt. 6:24. Luke 14:25-33. n Lev. 10.3. 19:2. 1 Sam. 6:20. ligion, who would have been ashamed to confess you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. r 21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay, but we will serve the LORD. 22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. t 23 Now therefore put away (said he) the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. 24 And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 26 And Joshua y wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and 2 took a great stone, and set it up there under to their own unholiness and insufficiency; and to that encouragement and hope of assistance which were given them in the books of Moses; to induce them to esteem acceptably serving God, as a prize worthy of their utmost labor and earnestness; to render them diligent, watchful, humble, and dependent in their endeavors; and to prevent the effect of subsequent difficulties and temptations, by exciting the expectation of them. Such was the tendency of this address, and such, by the blessing of God, appears to have been its effect upon many of them.-The original words, translated "He is an holy God," are literally, He is holy Gods, the adjective being plural, as well as the noun; and the expression has frequently been cited in proof of the doctrine of the Trinity.—As he has no equal, he will endure no rival.-The word, rendered forgive, may mean tolerate. (Notes, Ex. 20:5. 34:5—7,11—17.) V. 20. The longer and the more open profession the people should make of worshipping JEHOVAH, the deeper would be their guilt and condemnation, if they should at last apostatize to idolatry. Of this Joshua reminded them; that they might duly consider the solemn engagement about to be made, and be upon their guard against subsequent temptations. V. 21, 22. Marg. Ref.-Notes, Ex. 24:3,4,6 -8. Deut. 5:28,29. 26:17-19. V. 19. Joshua by no incans intended to deter the people from the service of the Lord; but to put them upon their guard against the objections commonly made to a life of strict godliness, as if intolerably difficult, or even impracticable; and to lead them to count their cost, and to consider before-hand what they engaged to do. (Notes, V. 23. Incline your heart.] This expression Luke 14:25-35.) With great address, arising shews how earnest this venerable servant of God from deep knowledge of the human heart, he seiz-|| was, to lead the people into the inward exercises ed the advantage of their present impressions, to of true piety, and to excite them to be spiritual render them abiding, to increase the earnestness and hearty, as well as entire, in their religion of the people, and to lead them solemnly to enter (Notes, Deut. 6:5. 1 Kings 8:58. 1 Chr. 28:9. 29: into a willing engagement to serve God alone.-10-19. Prov. 23:26.) When a certain degree of inclination towards any V. 25. Thus Joshua led his auditory solemnly object has once possessed the heart, it is always to renew their covenant to be the Lord's people; increased by the prospect of difficulties; provided and to adhere to his worship, and that in the most they appear surmountable by contrivance, exer- intelligent and deliberate manner: and he formed tion, and perseverance. This management of the whole into a statute and ordinance, which was Joshua, therefore, directly tended to lead the Is- promulgated for a.l Israel to receive and obey. raclites to reflect upon the perfections of JEHO-Notes, Deut. 29: 10-15. 2 Kings 11:17—20. Neh. VAH, and upon the nature of his service; to advert || 9:38. 10:1.) V. 26. This ratification of the covenant seems to have been inscribed in that copy of the law, which was laid up by the sides of the ark, as a perpetual memorial of the transaction: (Note, Deut. 31:26.) and probably it was also inserted in all the other copies of the law which were then extant. B. C. 1426. 31 And Israel 1 served the LORD all the elders that overlived Joshua; and the days of Joshua, and all the days of which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. the children of Israel brought up out of 32 And the bones of Joseph, which parcel of ground which Jacob bought of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a chem, for an hundred pieces of silver: the sons of Hamor, the father of Sheand it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. 33 And P Eleazar the son of Aaron a died, and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim. 1 Deut. 31:29. Judg. 2:7. 2 Chr. * Heb. prolonged their days m Deut. 11:2. 31:13. n Gen. 50:25. Ex. 13:19. Acts o Gen. 33:19. 48:22. p 14:1. Ex. 6:23,25. Num. 3:32. q Job 30:23. Ps. 49:10. Is. 57: to serve the cause of godliness, and to fix saluwith love and zeal, we shall devise some method tary impressions upon the minds of those around us; nay, sometimes when the body is least capable of executing proper methods of doing good, the soul possesses most vigor for devising them. (Note, 2 Pet. 1:12-15.)--In repeating our exhorV. 27. This great stone would testify, to suc- tations, heavenly wisdom will teach us to vary ceeding generations, that event which it was set the manner of reaching the conscience, and enup to commemorate; and it would be a witness gaging the affections; but we can never with proagainst the people, if they afterwards revolted to priety omit the commemoration of the Lord's idolatry. (Notes, 22:34. Gen. 31:45,46. Deut. mercies: by frequent meditation on that subject, 31:19.) This idea contains a forcible charge of we shall recollect more and more instances of his insensibility against mankind, as if they were goodness; and whatever in our experience demore regardless of their Maker, than the inani-mands our gratitude to God, will also furnish us mate creatures, which, by answering the end of with cause of humiliation, and of encouragetheir creation, seem to exclaim against the in- ||ment.-The_largeness and freeness of the divine gratitude and rebellion of the human species. mercy are illustrated in so distinct a manner, (Marg. Ref. Note, Luke 19:40.)—In this affecteven in the salvation of the most eminent saints ing manner Joshua took his leave of Israel, went mentioned in Scripture, that "the chief of sinhome from this last and perhaps best service to ners" may thence take encouragement in returnGod and them, and was speedily taken to his resting to the Lord. (Notes, 1 Tim. 1:12—16. P. O. in heaven. (29,30. Notes, Deut. 34:1-5.) V. 29-32. It is remarkable that Joshua lived just as many years as his renowned ancestor Joseph had done: yet he was not buried in the same place with him, but in his own inheritance, which seems to have been the general practice. (30,32. -Note, Gen. 50:22.) The Israelites had carried the bones of Joseph with them in all their wanderings, and never attempted to bury them, till they were peaceably settled in the land. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Gen. 50:24-26. Ex. 13:19. Heb. 11:22.) V. 33. As the cities assigned to the priests lay in the lots of Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon; it is probable that the people voluntarily gave to the high priest a place of residence near Shiloh, while the tabernacle continued there; and that this was called "the hill of Phinehas," because he dwelt longer there than Eleazar had done. 12-20.) V. 14-33. The practical conclusion to be drawn from every delineation of the character of God, and from the memorial of his wondrous works and abundant mercies, is this: "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth." But without sincerity and truth, all professions of repentance, faith, fear, or love, are mere hypocrisy, and will avail us nothing. The service of God must be our voluntary choice: if we were disposed to use our reason aright, we could not but choose it: after all our sins, we are invited to do so; and, blessed be his name, he hath promised not to reject us, if we seek him in the appointed way, and are decided in preferring his favor to the pleasures of sin, and the vanities of the world. We must, however, diligently study the nature of true religion, and what it will cost us; to what it may expose us, and in what it will employ ns; that we may be prepared for temptations, tribulations, conflicts, and self-denials; be aware of our insufficiency; and seek help and comfort from and holy: he will not be trifled with, he cannot on high. The LORD our God is jealous, just, be imposed upon, he abhors a double mind, and will not accept a divided heart; he hates lukewarmness, (Note, Rev. 3:14-16.) and will as |