Commentary on Joshua, Commentary · Chapter 22
Chap. 22.
THEN Ioshue called the Rubenites, and the Gadites, & the halfe tribe of Manasseh,
2 And said vntounto them, Ye hauehave kept all that Moses the seruant of the Lorde commaunded you, and hauehave obeyed my voyce in all that I commanded you:
3 Ye hauehave not forsaken your brethren this long season vntounto this day, but hauehave diligently kept the commandement of the Lorde your God.
4 And now the Lorde hath giuen rest vntounto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now returne ye, and goe to your tentes, to the land of your possession, which Moses the seruant of the Lorde hathe giuen you beyond Iordan.
5 But take diligent heede, to do the commandement and Law, which Moses the seruant of the Lorde commanded you: that is, that ye louelove the Lord your God, and walke in all his wayes, and keepe his commandements, and cleane vntounto him, and serue him with all your heart, and with all your soule.
6 So Ioshue blessed them, and sent them away, and they went vntounto their tents.
7 Now vntounto one halfe of the tribe of Manasseh, Moses had giuen apossession in Bashan, and vntounto the other halfe thereof gaue Ioshue among their brethren on this side Iordan Westwarde: therefore, when Ioshue sent them away vntounto their tentes, and blessed them,
8 Thus he spake vntounto them, saying, Returne with much riches to your tentes, and with a great multitude of cattell, with siluer & with gold, with brasse & with yron, & with great abundance of raiment: diuide the spoile of your enimies with your brethren.
9 So the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh, returned, and departed from the children of Israel, from Shiloh (which is in the land of Chanaan) to goe vntounto their countrie of Gilead, to the land of the possession, which they had obteined, according to the worde of the Lorde, by the hand of Moses.
1 Then Iosue, &c.) Here is reported the discharging of the two tribes & an halfe, which followed the rest of the people, not that they should conquere any thing for them selues: but because they had alredie obteined houses and landes without casting of lottes, that they might holde out the common warre with their brethren, vntill they also had obteined their quiet inheritaunce. Now, because they hauehave bene faithfull companions and helpers vntounto their brethren: Iosue pronounceth, that they hauehave serued out their full time, and so sendeth them home discharged and at libertie. Yet it may be demaunded, howe he iudgeth them to hauehave accomplished their lawfull time of warrefare, when as yet a parte of the lande was possessed by the enimies, the onelyonly possession whereof ought to hauehave made a perfect end of that warre. But if we call to minde that, which I saied before, this knot would be easie to loose. If they had followed the calling of God, and bene obedient to his power: yea, if they had not shamefully drawen backe, when he reached out his hand to helpe them, they might easily, without any danger, and with small trouble, hauehave dispatched the remnantes of that warre. Therefore, through their owne slouth fulnesse they refused that, which God of his liberalitie was readie to hauehave geuen them. And so it came to passe, that the couenaunt was fulfilled, whereby the two tribes and the halfe had bound themselues. For they bound themselues no otherwise, but to accompanie the ten tribes, and to fight as manfully for their inheritaunce, as they would hauehave done for their owne. Now, seeing they hauehave continually shewed themselues faithfull companions, and the ten tribes being content with their present estate doe not require, but rather doe secreatly refuse their further aide, they are by right permitted to returne freely vntounto their owne. And their patience is worthie of commendation, that they are not moued with any wearinesse to make sute for their discharge, but tarrie quietly, vntill Iosue himselfe of his owne accord doe send for them.
5 OnelyOnly take heede, &c.) He doeth so sette them free, and discharge them of their temporall seruice, that he bindeth them for euer vntounto the obedience of the onelyonly true God. Therefore he permitteth them to returne home, but on this condition, that they serued God wheresoeuer they became. Also he prescribeth the manner how, namely, that they keepe his Lawe. But because the vanitie and inconstancie of mans minde is such, that religion will easily vanish out of their heartes, negligence and contempt will easily growe vppon them, he requireth of them studie and diligence in perfourming the Lawe. And he calleth it the Lawe of Moses, that their mindes should not flee about vaine speculations in the aire: but abide stedfast in that doctrine, which they had learned of the faithfull seruantes of God. Also he toucheth the end and summe of the Lawe, that they louelove God & cleaue to him: for else the outward forme of worshipping hath small weighte in it. The same thing he confirmeth in other wordes, that they serue God with all their hearte, and with all their soule, by which wordes sincertie is noted.
8 With much riches.) Because we hauehave seene before, that the greatest part of the two tribes were left behind in their lands beyond Iordan, when the rest went ouer the riuer to goe on warrefare, it was meet, that seeing they liued in quiet with their families, or els were occupied about their owne domesticall businesse, they should be content with their liuinges, and the fruite of their labours. And surely, it had bene against reason, they should hauehave required any parte of the prey or spoyle to be diuided amongest them, seeing they tooke no paines at all, nor aduentured themselues into any daunger. But Iosue standeth not vppon the extremitie of iustire: but exhorteth the souldiers, of their liberalitie, to make them partakers of their prey. Here it were out of season to dispute, whether the prey were common to them all, or no. For Iosue doth not simply pronounce, that it was of duetie which he enioyueth them: but only admonisheth them, that seeing they were enriched by the blessing of God, they should not shew themselues to be indued with humanitie, except they were bountifull and liberall to their brethren: specially, seeing there was no fault in them, but that they were readie to hauehave gone on the same warrefarre. But when he biddeth them to distribute, he doeth not exact an equall partition, such as is woont to be made among companions and equalles, but by geuing away some parte, to take away the matter of enuie and hatred.
10 And when they came vntounto the borders of Iordan, (which are in the land of Chanaan) then the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh, built there an altar by Iordan, a great altar to see to.
11 When the children of Israel heard say, Beholde, the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh hauehave built an altar in the forefront of the land of Chanaan vponupon the borders of Iordan, at the passage of the children of Israel:
12 When the children of Israel heard it, then the whole Congregation of the children of Israel gathered them together at Shiloh, to goe vp to warre against them.
13 Then the children of Israel sent vntounto the children of Ruben, and to the children of Gad, and to the halfe tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar the Priest,
14 And with him ten Princes, of euerie chiefe house a Prince, according to all the tribes of Israel: for euerie one was chiefe of their fathers housholde, among the thousandes of Israel.
15 So they went vntounto the children of Ruben, & to the children of Gad, and to the halfe tribe of Manasseh, vntounto the land of Gilead, and spake with them, saying:
16 Thus saith the whole Congregation of the Lorde, What transgression is this that ye hauehave transgressed against the God of Israel, to turne away this day from the Lorde, in that ye hauehave built you an altar for to rebell this day against the Lord?
17 HaueHave we too little for the wickednesse of Peor, whereof we are not cleansed vntounto this day, though a plague came vponupon the Congregation of the Lord?
18 Ye also are turned away this day from the Lord: and seeing ye rebell to day against the Lorde, euen to morowe he wilbe wroth with all the Congregation of Israel.
19 Notwithstanding, if the lande of your possession be vncleane, come ye ouer vntounto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lords Tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among vsus: but rebell not against the Lord, nor rebell not against vsus, in building you an altar, beside the altar of the Lorde our God.
20 Did not Achan the sonne of Zerah trespasse grieuously in the execrable thing, and wrath fell on all the Congregation of Israel? And this man alone perished not in his wickednesse.
10 And they came, &c.) This historie is very worthy to be remembred, that when the two tribes and the halfe were determined to set vp a monument of their common faith and brotherlie concorde, yet through vnaduised zeale, they tooke such a way, as was was worthily suspected to their brethren. But the tenne tribes, when they thought that the worshippe of God had bene defiled through vngodly boldensse and rashnesse, being kindled with an holy anger, they tooke armes to be reuenged vponupon their bloud, and were not pacified, before they had receiued a full answeare and satisfaction. For the end of the setting vp of that altar, of it selfe was good and right. For the purpose of the sonnes of Ruben, and Gad, and Manasse, was to testifie, that although they were diuided and parted asunder, by the riuer, yet in religion they were all one, and mainteined a mutuall consent in the doctrine of the lawe: for there was nothing lesse in their minde, than to chaunge any thing in the worshippe of God. But yet it was no small offence that they committed, without asking the aduise of the Priest, and their brethren, to take in hande such a straunge peece of worke: and secondly, because the forme it selfe of their monument was such, as might be taken in euill parte. We Exod. 20. 24.knowe howe seuerely the lawe forbiddeth two altars, because God would be worshipped in one only place. Wherefore, seeing vponupon the very sight of it, it came into eueryevery mans minde, that they had set vp a seconde altar, who woulde not hauehave condemned them of sacrilege, as though they had inuented a straunge and counterfeit worshippe contrarie to the lawe of God? Therfore, seeing their worke might hauehave bene thought to be vngodlie, they ought surely in so great and weightie a matter, to hauehave made their brethren partakers of their purpose: especially, they ought not to hauehave neglected the iudgement of the high Priest, seeing they should hauehave enquired the will of God at his mouth. Wherefore they were worthie to be reprehended, because that (as though they had bene alone in the worlde) they did not consider what offence might growe by the straungnesse of the example. Wherefore, let vsus learne to attempt nothing vnaduisedly, although the thing of it selfe be not euill, but rather let vsus alwayes remember that admonition of S. Paule, that we must not onelyonly consider 1. Cor. 6. 12. & 10. 13.what is lawfull, but also what is expedient: especially, let vsus take good heede, that we trouble not the mindes of the godlie with any new or straunge examples.
11 The children of Israel heard, &c.) There is no doubt, but that they were kindled with holy zeale, neither ought we to think, that this was too great vehemencie, that for a heape of stones they armed themselues to destroy their owne countriemen. For they iudged truely and wisely, that the lawfull Sanctuarie of God was ouerthrowen, his woorshippe prophaned, religion defiled, the consent of godlinesse torne asunder, the gate opened to the licence of all superstitions, if sacrifices should hauehave bene offered to God in two places: for which causes he had so streightly bounde the whole people to one altar. Therefore it is not without a cause, that the tenne tribes doe so much detest the sacrilegious boldenesse in a prophane altar. Wherefore, here is set foorth vntounto vsus, a worthie example of godlinesse, that if we see the pure worshippe of God to be corrupted, we shoulde seeke, as muche as lieth in vsus, to see it most sharply reuenged. Indeede the sworde is not geuen into euerie mans hande: but eueryevery man, according to his office and calling, ought mantully and constantly seeke to mainteine the pure state of religion, against all corruptions. But especially the zeale of the halfe tribe of Manasse was worthie of singular commendation, whiche setting aside all carnall respect, woulde not forbeare their owne familie. And yet I confesse, that this zeale, as godlie as it was, is not without some disordered affection: for before they had enquired of the intent of their brethren, and vnderstoode the cause thoroughly, they make haste to decree warre against them. I confesse they doe it not, but vnderunder condition: because they send Embassadoures, which should reporte the cause vntounto them, when they had well and throughly vnderstoode the matter, neither doe they moue one finger to take punishment, before they were perfectly certified of the crime. Therefore the heate of their anger may be excused, whiles they prepare themselues to fight, if there had bene any such departing from religion found out, as they suspected.
16 Thus saith all the congregation of the Lord, &c.) Euen as though it had bene alredie knowen, that this second altar had bene set vp against the onelyonly altar of GOD, they beginne to chide with them, and that verie hardely, and sharpely. Therefore, they take this as confessed, that this altar was builded, vppon which the two tribes did offer their sacrifices. Here they are deceiued in their opinion, because it was set vp for an other end and purpose. But if it had bene true, which they had conceiued in their mindes, all the expostulations which they vse, had bene iust: for it had bene a plaine Apostasie, and falling away, to chaunge any thing in the lawe of God, 1. Sam. 15. 22.with whome obedience is more worth than all sacrifices: and this their condemnation is founded vppon verie good reason, that they are guiltie of Apostasie, which withdrawe themselues from the only true altar.
17 Is it a small thing for vsus, &c.) They amplifie the wickednesse through their stubbornesse, that they cease not to prouoke God oftentimes with their abhominations. They alledge for that, a notable example, and that was fresh in memorie. For when they did compasse the Sanctuarie, and the foure quarters of the world, as good watchmen of God, when they had a rule geuen them howe to worshippe God aright, in which they were kept in continuall exercise: yet they were deceiued through the entisement of harlots, and defiled them selues with filthie superstitions, and worshipped Baal-peor. Because the whole people were intangled with this wickednesse, the tenne Embassadours doubt not, to adioyne themselues as partakers of that offence. Therefore they demaund, Is not that iniquitie sufficient for vsus, which we committed about the idol of Peor? They adde moreouer, that they are not yet clensed from it, as though they should say, The remembrance of it, is not yet buried: Or the vengeance of God yet quenched. Therevpon they gather, that the two tribes, and the halfe, while through wicked stubbornesse they turne them selues from God, and cast off his yoke, doe not onelyonly prouide euill for them selues: but also procure like destruction for the whole people: because God will reuenge this iniurie further: which they confirme also by the example of Achan, which when he alone, and that priuily, had stolen of the accursed thinges, yet he alone suffered not punishment of his sacrilege: but drew other with him also: like as it well appeared, when some were slaine in the fielde, and all the rest shamefully put to flight, because that pollution remained among the people. And they reason from the greater to the lesser: If the anger of God did burne against many, for the secret offence of one man, much lesse shall the people escape vnpunished, if they dissemble, and will not reuenge so manifest idolatrie. Yet this meane and indifferent sentence is interlaced, that if the two tribes, and halfe, hauehave builded this altar, as though their condition were worse, because they dwelled not in the land of Chanaan: that they also might come, and dwell in the land of Chanaan, rather than they should prouoke God with false counterfeting of his religion. Hereof we gather, that they were not stirred vp with any vaine force of affection, when they are redie with their owne losse and hinderance, gently to admitte them into fellowshippe, and parte of inheritaunce, which had desired them selues a seate and dwelling place in an other countrie.
21 Then the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and halfe the tribe of Manasseh, answered, and saide vntounto the heades ouer the thousandes of Israel,
22 The Lord God of gods, the Lorde God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel him selfe shall knowe: if by rebellion, or by transgression against the Lorde we hauehave done it, saue thou vsus not this day:
23 If we hauehave built vsus an altar to returne away from the Lord, either to offer thereon burnt offering, or meat offering, or to offer peace offerings thereon, let the Lorde him selfe require it:
24 And if we hauehave not rather done it for feare of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might say vntounto our children, What hauehave ye to do with the Lorde God of Israel?
25 For the Lorde hath made Iordan a border betwene vsus and you, ye children of Ruben, and of Gad: therefore ye hauehave no parte in the Lorde: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lorde.
26 Therefore we saide, We will now go about to make vsus an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,
27 But for a witnesse betweene vsus and you, and betweene our generations after vsus, to execute the seruice of the Lorde before him in our burnt offeringes, and in our sacrifices, and in our peace offeringes, and that your children should not say to our children in time to come, Ye hauehave no part in the Lorde.
28 Therefore said we, If so be that they should so say to vsus, or to our generations in time to come, then will we answer, Behold the fashion of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice, but it is a witnesse betweene vsus and you:
29 God forbid, that we should rebell against the Lord, & turne this day away from the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offering, or for meate offering, or for sacrifice, saue the altar of the Lorde our God, that is before his Tabernacle.
30 And when Phinehas the Priest, and the Princes of the congregation, and heades ouer the thousandes of Israel, which were with him, heard the wordes that the children of Ruben, & the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh spake, they were well content.
31 And Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar the Priest said vntounto the children of Ruben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceiue, that the Lord is among vsus, because ye hauehave not done this trespasse against the Lord: now ye hauehave deliuered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord.
32 Then Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar the Priest with the Princes returned from the children of Ruben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, vntounto the land of Chanaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them answere.
33 And the saying pleased the children of Israel, and the children of Israel blessed God, and minded not to goe against them in battell, for to destroy the land, wherein the children of Ruben and Gad dwelt.
34 Then the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, called the altar Ed, for it shalbe a witnesse betweene vsus, that the Lorde is God.
21 Then answeared, &c.) The state of the cause standeth vponupon definition. For the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse, excuse the matter, that they had an other purpose and intent, and so the crime is wiped away: because the qualitie of the fact is otherwise than the rest did take it. But whereas they make no stirre, nor moue any contention, for the iniurie that was offered vntounto them, it is an example of rare modestie, which is sette forth for vsus to followe, that if it happen at any time, that that which is rightly & well done of vsus, be blamed falsly and vniustly by them that are vnskillfull, it may suffice vsus to confute the reprehension in such sorte, as we may be purged of the crime supposed. But that they may purchase vntounto themselues the greater credit, and better testifie their innocencie, with a most weightie obtestation they reiect and detest that heynous wickednes, whereof they were suspected. Also the repetition is not without great weight, (The Lord the God of gods, the Lord the God of gods,) with which vehemencie also they confirme, how faithfully they desire to continue in the doctrine of the lawe, and how greatly they abhore all contrarie superstitions. But because their purpose was not knowne to men, and according to eueryevery mans heade was expounded in diuerse sentences and opinions: therefore they appeale to the iudgment of God, & offer themselues to suffer punishment, if he knowe they hauehave attempted any thing of euill purpose or intent. And that they may proue themselues to be vnlike to hypocrites, which with diuelish impudencie will not sticke an hundred times to call vponupon God to be their Iudge, when their conscience neuer thelesse doeth accuse them within, they doe not onelyonly pretende their conscience, but also doe pronounce, that all the people shalbe witnesse: as if they saide, It shalbe founde manifest in deede, that it came neuer in their thought, to inuent a newe worshippe of God: and they doe rightly interprete, howe that altar shoulde hauehave bene vnlawefull, namely, if they had determined to offer their sacrifices vponupon it. For the lawe did not simply condemne heapes of stones: but appointed, that sacrifices should be offered in one place onelyonly, to reteine the people in one faith, that religion shoulde not be rent a sunder, that licence shoulde not be graunted to the rashnesse of many, and so eueryevery one shoulde fall away after their owne inuentions. Thus we see, that the qualitie of the facte being shewed, the detestable vse is taken away, which their tenne tribes had imagined. It is in deede vnproperly, but yet aptly, according to the rudenesse of our sense, that God is placed aboue all gods. For he could not truely be compared with other, if there were no more but he. And therefore, to auoyde this absurditie, some doe expounde it of Angels, which although in some places it may well agree to be true, yet I denie that it can be so taken in all places. Neither ought it to seeme any harde phrase, that he which is but one, and the onelyonly God, should be called The God of gods, because he hath none equall: but is aboue all hight, and doeth in deede abscure and darken with his glorie, and bring to nothing, all names of Godhead, which are celebrated in the worlde. So this maner of speach ought to be referred to the sense of the common people.
26 And we saied, &c.) That grosse impietie, whereof they were Exod. 20. 4. Leu. 26. 1. Deut. 5. 8.accused, is very well confuted: and yet they seeme not to be altogether without fault, because the lawe forbiddeth to set vp any images. But the excuse is easie, that no other images are condemned, but such as were made to represent God. But to set vp a heape of stones for a Trophie, or for testimonie of a miracle, or in the remembraunce of some notable grace of God, the lawe did neuer forbidde: for else, both Iosue, and many holy Iudges, and Kinges, which did the like, had defiled themselues with prophane superstition. But nothing else displeased God, but that the mindes of men shoulde be drawen downewarde, that he should be worshipped after a grosse and earthly manner. Therefore the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse, doe well & sufficiently discharge themselues from offence, while they professe, that there shalbe none other vse of the altar, but that it should be a bonde of their brotherlie coniunction, for which they bring a good reason. Because it was to be doubted, least in long processe of time, the ten tribes woulde exclude the rest from them, as straungers, because they did not inhabite the same lande. For in as much as the region beyond Iordan, was not at the first comprehended in the couenant, their seuerall dwelling might hauehave moued occasion of dissention. Therefore they prouide in time for their posteritie, that by the altar, as it were by publike recordes, they might defend their right, that so the one sort might acknowledge the other for their brethren, and altogether serue the onelyonly true God.
30 When Phinees, &c.) Phinees and the Embassadours doe rightly temper their zeale, while they doe not frowardly persist, nor vrge the preiudice which they had conceiued, but gently and willingly doe admitte their excuse. For many there are, which if they be offended and exasperated with any matter, there is no defence that can pacifie them, but they will alwayes find out somewhat, which they may maliciously and vniustly carpe and finde fault with all, rather than they will seeme to gene place to reason. And this example is worthie to be noted, that if at any time we be offended before we hauehave knowne a matter throughly, we may take heede of frowardnesse: but rather that we may …eue place immediatly to equitie and right. Moreouer, that the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse, are found cleare from this heynous offence, Phinees and the Embassadours doe ascribe it to the grace of God. For by these wordes, (We knowe that the Lord is in the middest of vsus,) they signifie, that God hath bene mercifull vntounto them, and hath had a care of their health and preseruation. Which is to be marked diligently: for there vponupon againe it is gathered, that we neuer decline altogether from God, or fall away vntounto impietie, except he forsake vsus, and being forsaken doth cast vsus into a reprobate minde. Therefore, all idolatrie doth shew, that God was estraunged from them before, that by iust exc…cation & blinding of them, he might take punishment of their wickednesse. In the meane time we must note this, that we doe no longer continue in godlinesse, than God is present with vsus, and holdeth vsus vp with his hande, and confirmeth vsus with the vertue of his spirite vntounto continuance and perseuerance. Phinees and the Embassadours say they were deliuered by the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasse: because the vengeaunce of God is no more to be feared, when all suspicion of wickednesse is purged. At the length, the like equitie & humanitie sheweth it selfe in the whole people: for they receiued gladly the defence of their brethren, and gaue thankes vntounto God, that he had preserued his people from such an heynous offence. And although they were soudeinly set one fire, yet they depart with quiet mindes. Likewise, the two tribes and the halfe geue all diligence to performe their duetie, when they geue such a name vntounto the altar, which by teaching the right vse thereof, might withdrawe the people from all superstition.