cle longer than needs must, nor would they put the patience of the priests that bare the ark too much to the stretch by unnecessary delay. (3.) Others, because they were eager to be in Canaan, and would thus show how much they longed after that pleasant land. (4.) Those that considered least, yet hasted because others did. He that believeth, maketh haste, not to anticipate God's counsels, but to attend them. Isa. 28. 16.
2. The two tribes and a half led the van, v. 12, 13. So they had promised, when they had their lot given them on that side Jordan, Numb. 32. 27. And Joshua had lately reminded them of their promise, ch. 1. 12, &c. It was fit that they who had the first settlement, should be the first in the encounter of difficulties, the rather, because they had not the incumbrance of families with them as the other tribes had, and they were all chosen men, and fit for service, ready armed. It was a good providence that they had so strong a body to lead them on, and would be an encouragement to the rest. And the two tribes had no reason to complain, the post of danger is the post of honour.
3. When all the people were got clear to the other side, the priests with the ark came up out of Jordan. This, one would think, should have been done of course, their own reason would tell them that now there was no more occasion for them, and yet they did not stir a step till Joshua ordered them to move, and Joshua did not order them out of Jordan till God directed him to do so, v. 15..17. So observant were they of Joshua, and he of God, which was their praise, as it was their happiness to he under such good direction. How low a condition soever God may at any time bring his priests or people to, let them patiently wait, till by his providence he shall call them up out of it, as the priests here were called to come up out of Jordan, and let them not be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, in the depth of their adversity.
4. As soon as ever the priests and the ark were come up out of Jordan, the waters of the river, which had stood on a heap, gradually flowed down according to their nature and usual course, and soon filled the channel again, v. 18. This makes it yet more evident, that the stop which had now been given to the river, was not from any secret natural cause; but purely from the power of God's presence, and for the sake of his Israel, for when Israel's turn was served, and the token of his presence was removed, immediately the water went forward again: so that if it be asked, What ailed thee, O Jordan, that thou wast driven back? It must be answered, It was purely in obedience to the God of Israel, and in kindness to the Israel of God: there is therefore none like unto the God of Jeshurun; happy also art thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people? Some observe here, by way of allusion, that when the ark and the priests that bare it, are removed from any place, the flood-gates are drawn up, the defence is departed, and an inundation of judgments is to be expected shortly. Those that are unchurched, will soon be undone. The glory is departed, if the ark be taken.
5. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua by all this, v. 14. On that day the Lord magnified Joshua, both by the fellowship he admitted him to with himself, speaking to him upon all occasions, and being ready to be consulted by him, and by the authority he confirmed in him, over both priests and people. Those that honour God he will honour, and when he will magnify a man, as he had said he would magnify Joshua, (ch. 3. 7.). he will do it effectually. Yet it was not for Joshua's sake only that he was thus magnified, but to put him in a capacity of doing so much the more service to Israel, for hereupon they feared him as they feared Moses. See here what is the best and surest way to command the respect of inferiors, and to gain their reverence and observance, not by blustering and threatening, and carrying it with a high hand, but by holiness and love, and all possible indications of a constant regard to their welfare, and to God's will and honour. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them. Those that are sanctified are truly magnified, and are worthy of double honour. Favourites of heaven should be looked on with awe.
6. An account is kept of the time of this great event, v. 19. it was on the tenth day of the first month, just forty years since they came out of Egypt, wanting five days. God had said in his wrath that they should wander forty years in the wilderness, but to make up that forty we must take in the first year, which was then past, and had been a year of triumph in their deliverance out of Egypt, and this last, which had been a year of triumph likewise on the other side Jordan, so that all the forty were not years of sorrow; and at last he brought them into Canaan, five days before the forty years were ended, to show how little pleasure God takes in punishing, how swift he is to show mercy, and that for the elect's sake the days of trouble are shortened, Matt. 24. 22. God ordered it so that they should enter Canaan four days before the annual solemnity of the passover, and on the very day when the preparation for it was to begin, Exod 12. 3. because he would have their entrance into Canaan graced and sanctified with that religious feast, and would have them to be reminded of their deliverance out of Egypt, that comparing them together, God might be glorified as the Alpha and Omega of their bliss.
20. And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. 21. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? 22. Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 23. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24. That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty; that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.
The twelve stones which were laid down in Gilgal, v. 8. are here set up either one upon another, yet so as that they might be distinctly counted, or one by another in rows; for after they were fixed, they are not called a heap of stones, but these stones.
I. It is here taken for granted, that posterity would inquire into the meaning of them, supposing them intended for a memorial. Your children shall ask their fathers, (for whom else should they ask?) What mean these stones? Note, Those that will be wise when they are old, must be inquisitive when they are young. Our Lord Jesus, though he had in himself the fulness of knowledge, has by his example taught children and young people to hear and
Vol. ii.—D
