Commentary on Joshua, Commentary · Chapter 4
Chap. 4.
AND when all the people were wholy gone ouer Iordan, (after the Lorde had spoken vntounto Ioshua, saying,
2 Take you twelue men out of the people, out of euerie tribe a man,
3 And commaund you them, saying, Take you hence out of the middest of Iordan, out of the place where the Priestes stoode in a readinesse, twelue stones, which ye shall take away with you, and leaue them in the lodging, where you shall lodge this night.)
4 Then Ioshua called the twelue men, whome he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of euerie tribe a man,
5 And Ioshua saide vntounto them, Goe ouer before the Arke of the Lorde your God, euen through the middest of Iordan, and take vp euerie man of you a stone vponupon his shoulder, according vntounto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel,
6 That this may be a signe among you, that when your children shall aske their fathers in time to come, saying, What meane you by these stones?
7 Then ye may aunsweare them, that the waters of Iordan were cut off before the Arke of the couenant of the Lorde: for when it passed through Iordan, the waters of Iordan were cut off. Therefore these stones are a memoriall vntounto the children of Israel for euer.
8 Then the children of Israel did euen so, as Ioshua had commanded, and tooke vp twelue stones out of the middest of Iordan, as the Lorde had said vntounto Ioshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them away with them vntounto the lodging, and layed them downe there.
9 And Ioshua set vp twelue stones in the middest of Iordan, in the place where the feete of the Priestes, which bare the Arke of the couenant, stood, & there hauehave they continued vntounto this day.
1 And it came to passe after, &c.) That which he had breefely and darkely touched before concerning the twelue men, nowe he setteth it foorth more at large and plainely. He had sayd, that they were chosen out of euerie tribe: but breaking off that speache, he declared not for what end they were chosen. Now he saith, that by the commaundement of Iosue, they tooke vp twelue stones, and set them vp in Gilgal, that they might be a notable monument vntounto the posteritie. And for somuch as he rehearseth what was done after the people were passed ouer, that which is interlaced, must be translated by the Preterpluperfectense. As for the Coniunction copulatiue, it is easie to consider, that it may be taken for a Causall or Illatiue. The summe is thus muche, that before the Priestes remoued one foote cut of the middest of the riuer, where they stoode, that the stones were taken from their feete, and placed in Gilgal, that they might be perpetuall witnesses of the miracle: and so Iosue did faithfully perfourme that he was commaunded by God. Wherefore Iosue calleth the men, whom he had chosen out before, but not without the commaundement of God, that the testimonie might be of greater authoritie. For if Iosue had set vp suche a tropheie, of his owne minde, his godlinesse in deede might well hauehave beene praised: but the instruction perhaps woulde hauehave ben little set by, as erected onelyonly by the will of man. But now, when God himselfe doeth set vp a monument, it is by no meanes tollerable to passe it ouer negligently. Wherefore it was a monument woorthie to be diligently considered, when he bringeth in their children demaunding of them, What these stones meaned?
7 Then you may answeare, &c. Although the stones speake not of them selues, yet the monument of them geueth the parents matter of speach, to testifie vntounto their children what the benefite of God was. And in this place are the elder sort charged to set forward the studie of godlinesse, and to take paines in the instruction of their children. For God would hauehave this doctrine to be deliuered, as it were from hand to hand, through out all ages: that they which were not yet borne yet beeing instructed by ther parentes, might be witnesses of that which they had had hearde: although they sawe not the thing with their owne eyes. And acording to the number of the tribes, the stones were set vp, that euerie tribe by their owne token might be stirred vp to thankfulnesse. In deed the two tribes and the halfe, whose inheritance was allotted to them, on the other side of Iordan, had no neede of that passage for their owne partes. But because the lande of Chanaan was possessed to the common benefite of the whole stocke of Abraham, it was not meete that some of them should hauehave bene seuered from the rest, seing there was a common cause perteining to them all. And although hitherto there is no mention made but of these twelue men, yet by this clause it appeareth, that the commandement was geuen to all the people, because it is saide, that the children of Israel were obedient vntounto the wordes of Iosue. It is like also, that they were chosen by voyces, which should carrie these stones in the name of all the rest.
9 Twelue stones also, &c.) It seemeth there was no vse of these stones, which should lie vnderunder the water: and therfore it was a vaine thing, to lay stones to be ouerwhelmed in the deepest place. For by the other that were set vp in Gilgal, because they were in open sight, occasion was geuen to enquire what was the cause of their erection. But those that lay in the botome of the riuer hidden from the sight of men, were nothing auaileable to stirre vp their mindes. I confesse, it had beene an vnprofitable monument, if it had beene altogether buried in silence: but when they rehersed one to another, that they had leafce in the chanel of the riuer, a token of their passage, it was availeable to the confirmation of their faith, to heare of that which they saw not. The Arke of the couenant was inclosed in the sanctuarie, and couered with a vaile that was ouer it, and yet that glorie which was hidden, was not vnprofitable, when they lerned out of the lawe, that the couenant of God was there laide vp: It may be also, that when the waters of the riuer were fallen, the heape of stones might be seene at some times. But that which I saide before, is more like to be true, that although Iosue hid stones in the botome of the riuer, yet he made thereof a profitable testimonie to the people, which afterward might be sett forth in the speach & talke of all men.
10 So the Priestes, which bare the Arke, sto… in the middest of Iordan, vntill euerie thing was finished that the Lorde had commaunded Ioshua to say vntounto the people, according to all that Moses charged Ioshua: then the people hasted and went ouer.
11 When all the people were cleane passed ouer, the Arke of the Lorde went ouer also, and the Priestes before the people.
12 And the sonnes of Ruben, and the sonnes of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh, went ouer before the children of Israel armed, as Moses had charged them.
13 Euen fourtie thousand prepared for warre, went before the Lord vntounto battell, into the plaine of Iericho.
14 That day the Lord magnified Ioshua in the sight of all Israel, and they feared him, as they feared Moses all the dayes of his life.
15 And the Lord spake vntounto Ioshua, saying,
16 Command the Priestes that beare the Arke of the Testimonie, to come vp out of Iordan.
17 Ioshua therefore commanded the Priestes, saying, Come ye vp out of Iordan.
18 And when the Priests that bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, were come vp out of the middest of Iordan, and as soone as the soles of the Priests feet were set on the drie land, the waters of Iordan returned vntounto their place, and flowed ouer all the bankes thereof, as they did before.
10 The Priestes, &c.) If we be commanded to stay, when other men make hast, we knowe how soone we shall be wearie of staying: because our case seemeth to be worse than other mens. Wherefore the patience of the Priestes is worthily commended, that while all the people came ouer speedily vntounto the further shoare, they alone stood quietly in their standing. They might hauehave doubted, least the whole streame of the waters, which was aboue their heades, should soudeinly fall downe and swallowe them vp. Wherefore they did no lesse shew their godlinesse in standing there still, than they did before, when they were so bold as to march euen into the riuer. So at the first appered their redines, then folowed their constancie, whiche did openly declare, that they were obedient to God, not only vponupon a soudden brunt, but of a littely faith. For this their cōstancie which is commended, could not proceede, but of a liuely roote. It was a point of modestie, that they attempted nothing vnaduisedly, but al their doing was framed according to the word of God, as a most certeine rule. And although it is like, that Iosue was instructed by a newe oracle, what was needfull to be done, yet it is said, that he followed that, which was commanded by Moses. Which I doe so interprete, that Moses had charged him earnestly, that he should depend and hang altogether vponupon the mouth of God: and that he was throughly obedient, and therefore did alwayes obserue that which pleased God. Finally, the commaundement of Moses, which is mentioned, was generall: & God, as the case required, did specially admonish Iosue.
12 Also the children of Ruben, &c.) He maketh speciall mention of the passage of these two tribes and halfe: because they went not on this warfare for their owne priuate cause: but that they might helpe their brethren to the possession of the lande of Chanaan: by whose manhood they had obteined their portions on the other side of Iordan. This condition Moses had charged them withall, and they had bounde them selues by an othe, that they would accompanie the rest of the people, vntill they had all obteined a quiet resting place to inhabit. The same promise they renewed (as we saw in the first Chapter) when the campe should remoue. But of that which is here tolde, we gather, that onelyonly a part of them was chosen out of the rest. For here are mustered but onelyonly fourtie thousand men, namely, the third part, or there about, of them that were mustered not long before. But seeing in all places, they are saide to hauehave fulfilled their promise, it is like that the purpose of Moses was not, that all they which were mustered, should leaue their wiues and children, and goe a warfare into the lande of Chanaan, vntill it were throughly subdued. And surely, it had bene an hard matter, and a cruell pointe, to hauehave forsaken the weake multitude, without leauing some to defend them, being compassed about with many hatefull nations. Neither would the remnants of their enimies, with the aid of the nations adioyning, hauehave omitted so great an occasion, but they would surely hauehave reuenged them selues in killing the women and children. Wherfore it was necessarie, that a sufficient garrison was leaft in the countrie, not yet quietly possessed, to keepe out the inuasions of their enimies. Neither was Moses so extreme, but that he would hauehave regard of those poore wretches. Moreouer, such was his wisedome and equitie, that he would neuer hauehave spoiled, of all defence, that contrie, which he had so lately conquered with force of armes. Hereto we may ioyne this reason, that the concourse of such a multitude, would rather hauehave bene an hinderance than an aid in conquering the land of Chanaan. Moses was therefore content with this indifferent order, that the Ru…enites and Gadites, while their brethren were occupied in warfare, should not sit all idle at home, and eate vp their profits, while their brethren had neede of their aide, whom they were bound to thanke, for that inheritance which they had obteined alredie. And herein was tried the honestie if these fortie thousand men, that while the rest of their tribes were at rest, they refuse not the burthen, the troubles, nor the daungers of warrefare. They might hauehave layed for themselues, that they had as good cause to be discharged of the warres as the rest. Therefore, that being chosen out, they march forwarde cheerefully, whither they were commanded, and enuie not the freedome and quiet of their brethren, it appeareth that they came foorth willingly, and with a good courage. Although there is no doubt, but the cheefe flowre of their souldiours being chosen out, all occasion of quarelling and striuing was utterly cut off. For there was no reason to contende, but that olde men, and weake persons, were to be spared: except a man had rather gesse, that this armie was appointed, not by mans iudgement, but by lottes. Howbeit, I thinke rather, that as euerie one was most valiant and best able to endure trauelles, so they offered themselues.
14 That day, &c.) This was not the cheefe ende of the miracle, that Iosue might increase in power and authoritie: but when it was much for the common profite, that the gouernement of Iosue shoulde be established, that is set downe, as an increase of the goodnesse of God, whereby he was adorned, as it were with holy robes, which might cause great reuerence of him amongest the people, least any man shoulde be so bolde to despise him. For except the common multitude be gouerned by an head, it falleth to ruine euen of it selfe. Wherefore, God minding to prouide for the safetie of the people, beautified Iosue with this excellent marke, which might assure them of his calling. Out of this place we must learne, that such men are commended vntounto vsus of God, by whose hand he doeth notably shewe foorth his power, that they might obtaine due honour and reuerence amongest vsus. But if an many will obiecte, That the people are saide to hauehave feared Iosue, euen as they feared Moses: it is confuted by so many troubles and seditions, which they raised against him, not onelyonly frowardly, but also furiously. The answeare is easie, that the whole time is not comprehended, since they came out of Egypt: but onelyonly that time is noted, in which, after they were subdued and camed with punishmentes, they beganne obediently to reuerence Moses. For nowe his quiet gouernement is described, after they had shaken off their olde frowardenesse: but especially, when their seditious fathers were dead, a better issue succeeded in their place. And therefore we reade not, that it was any trouble to rule and gouerne them. That which I hauehave alreadie expounded, I doe nowe touche breefly. For at the beginning, when Iosue exhorted them to obedience, they saide, They woulde be obedient, euen as they were before to Moses.
16 Command the Priestes, &c.) Nowe it is more plainely expressed, with howe quiet and obedient mindes the Priestes submitted them selues to the pleasure of God: for they moued not a foote vntill Iosue commaunded them to retire. And as it was singular vertue in them to be so tractable and obedient: so the fatherly carefulnesse of God sheweth foorth it selfe in this, that he vouchsafed to direct and guide almost euerie steppe they remoued, with his owne voyce, least any doubtfulnesse should make them slacker in their office. Then followeth a more notable confirmation of the miracle, that as soone as they were come vp to the banke, the riuer Iordane beganne to flowe, as it was woont to doe. For except it had returned vntounto the olde nature thereof, and that soudeinly: many woulde hauehave imagined some secrete cause of that chaunge, but yet suche as came by chaunce. But when God doeth set foorth his power and grace, at suche narrowe pinches and moments of time, all doubtfulnesse is taken away. So soone as the Priestes feete were wette with the water, Iordane went backewarde: nowe at their departure he recouereth his free course, and that at the same instant, that they were come vp vponupon the banke. For the drie lande is here taken for that part, whiche was not couered with the ouerflowing. So the riuer, although he could not speake, yet was he an excellent crier, to testifie with a most lowde voyce, that Heauen and Earth are subiect to the God of Israel.
19 So the people came vp out of Iordan the tenth day of the first monethmonth, and pitched in Gilgal, in the East side of Iericho.
20 Also the twelue stones, which they tooke out of Iordan, did Ioshua pitche in Gilgal.
21 And he spake vntounto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall aske their fathers in time to come, and say, What meane these stones?
22 Then ye shall shewe your children, and say, Israel came ouer this Iordan on drie lande:
23 For the Lorde your God dried vp the waters of Iordan before you, vntill ye were gone ouer, as the Lorde your God did the red Sea, which he dried vp before vsus, till we were gone ouer.
24 That all the people of the worlde may knowe, that the hande of the Lorde is mightie, that ye might feare the Lorde your God continually.
19 The people, &c.) For what cause the day is noted, in which they entered into the land, and pitched their tentes therein, we shall see in the next Chapter. The name of the first station is called Gilgal, by a figure of preuention: because it was afterwardes so called up Iosue, after their newe circumcision: and the interpretation of that name, in due place, shalbe considered. But here is a speciall treatise of the monument of the twelue stones: whereof, although mention were made before, yet nowe the solemne dedication thereof is rehearsed, namely, that Iosue did not onelyonly make that heape of stones, but also commended the vse thereof vntounto the people, that the famous memorie of the grace of God might flourish from the fathers to the children. And whereas he bringeth in their sonnes asking them, What these stones did meane: We may gather, that they were set vp in suche order, as moued the sense of them that behelde them. For if they had bene cast vp, on an heape, without any order, it woulde neuer hauehave come into their posterities minde, to enquire of their signification. Therefore, there was some notable order in the placing of them, which would not suffer the beholders to make none accompt of it. But because the couenaunt of God, whereby he had adopted the stocke of Abraham, was established to hauehave continuance for a thousand generations, because of the vnitie of the bodie, that benefite which God had perfourmed to their fathers, which were dead, is made common to their children which shoulde be borne many yeares afterwarde. And this coniunction ought greatly to hauehave moued their mindes: for by this meanes, their posteritie was admonished, that whatsoeuer was geuen in times past vntounto their auncesters, did also appe…ine vntounto them. Or else the answeare should hauehave bene little regarded, if the grace of God had bene restrained vntounto one day. But when their childrens children doe heare, that the riuer Iordan was dried vp before them, many hundred yeares ere they were borne, they acknowledge themselues to be that people, towardes whom that merueslous fauour of God was shewed. The same reason it is of the drying vp of the red sea, although the matter was not so auncient. Surely there were but two then aliue, that is, Caleb and Iosue, which came out of Egypt: yet he speaketh thereof to the whole people, as though they had all seene the miracle with their eyes. God dried vp the red sea before our face. Namely, for because in fauour of the perpetuall adoption, whiche descended from the fathers to the children, that benefite was graunted. And it was expedient, that the memorie of the passage through the red sea, shoulde be continued, not onelyonly that the similitude of the miracle might cause credite: but also that by hearing the historie of Iordan, that former miracle might be renewed withall, although no visible token thereof remained before their eyes.
24 That all people may knowe, &c.) He declareth that God did shew that token of his power, not only that it should be published among his owne people, but that the fame thereof might be spred far and wide, among the nations. For although God would hauehave his praise remaine in Sion: yet would he also that his workes in some parte should be knowen to the straungers, that they might be constrained to confesse, that he is the true God▪ and that him, whom they had willingly despised, they might feare against their willes: as it is said in the song of Moses, Our enimies are iudges. For he signifieth, Deut. 32. 31.that whether the vnbeeleuers will or nill, yet this confession is wrested from them, by the knowledge of the workes of God. But because it profited them nothing, to knowe how great the power of God is, Iosue discerneth them from the Israelites, vntounto whom he ascribeth a peculiar knowledge, namely, such as breedeth an earnest feare of God: That the nations may knowe, sayth he: and thou maist feare God. Therefore, while the vnfaithfull do ouerwhelme the light in their darknesse, let vsus learne to profit in the feare of God, by the consideration of his workes. He addeth, All thy dayes, because the grace, whereof he nowe speaketh, was enlarged into many ages.