Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 2.djvu/16

12 grace which was sufficient for those that went before them, shall not be wanting to them, if they be not wanting to themselves in the improvement of it. It is repeated here again, v. 9. "The Lord thy God is with thee as a God of power, and that power engaged for thee whithersoever thou goest." Note, Those that go where God sends them, shall have him with them wherever they go, and they need desire no more to make them easy and prosperous. (2.) That the presence of God should never be withdrawn from him, I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, v. 5. Moses had assured him of this, Deut. 31. 8. that though he must now leave him, God never would; and here God himself confirms that word of his servant Moses, (Isa. 44. 26.) and engages never to leave Joshua. We need the presence of God, not only when we are beginning our work to set us in, but in the progress of it to further us with a continual help. If that at any time fail us, we are gone; but this we may be sure of, that the Lord is with us while are with him. This promise here made to Joshua is applied to all believers, and improved as an argument against covetousness, Heb. 13.5, Be content with such things as ye have, for he hath said, I will never leave thee. (3.) That he should have victory over all the enemies of Israel, v. 5. There shall not any man, that comes against thee, be able to stand before thee. Note, There is no standing before those that have God on their side; If he be for us, who can be against us? God promises him clear success, the enemy should not make any head against him; and constant success, all the days of his life; however it might be with Israel when he was gone, all his reign should be graced with triumphs. What Joshua had himself encouraged the people with long ago, Numb. 14. 9. God here encourages him with. (4.) That he should himself have the dividing of this land among the people of Israel, v. 6. It was a great encouragement to him in beginning this work, that he was sure to see it finished, and his labour should not be in vain. Some make it a reason why he should arm himself with resolution, and be of good courage, because of the bad character of the people whom he must cause to inherit that land; he knew well what a froward discontented people they were, and how unmanageable they had been in his predecessor's time; let him therefore expect vexation from them and be of good courage.

6. The charge and command he gives to Joshua, which is,

(1.) That he conform himself in every thing to the law of God, and make that his rule, v. 7, 8. God does as it were put the book of the law into Joshua's hand; as when Joash was crowned, they gave him the testimony, 2 Kings 11. 12. And concerning this book, he is charged, [1.] To meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it, and have it ready to him upon all occasions. If ever any man's business might have excused him from meditation, and other acts of devotion, one would think that Joshua's might at this time; it was a great trust that was lodged in his hands, the care of it was enough to fill him, if he had ten souls, and yet he must find time and thoughts for meditation. Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful. [2.] Not to let it depart out of his mouth, that is, all his orders to the people, and his judgments upon appeals made to him, must be consonant to the law of God; upon all occasions he must speak according to this rule; Isa. 8. 20. Joshua was to maintain and carry on the work that Moses had begun, and therefore he must not only complete the salvation Moses had wrought for them, but must uphold the holy religion he had established among them. There was no occasion to make new laws, but that good thing which was committed to him, he must carefully and faithfully keep, 2 Tim. 1. 14. [3.] He must observe to do according to all this law. To this end he must meditate therein, not for contemplation sake only, or to fill his head with notions, or that he might find something to puzzle the priests with, but that he might both as a man and as a magistrate observe to do according to what was written therein; and several things were written there, which had particular reference to the business he had now before him, as the laws concerning their wars, the destroying of the Canaanites, and the dividing of Canaan, &c. these he must religiously observe. Joshua was a man of great power and authority, yet he must himself be under command and do as he is bidden. No man's dignity or dominion, how great soever, sets him above the law of God. Joshua must not only govern by law, and take care that the people observe the law, but he must observe it himself, and so by his own example maintain the honour and power of it. First, He must do what was written; it is not enough to hear and read the word, to commend and admire it, and know and remember it, to talk and discourse of it, but we must do it. Secondly, He must do according to what was written, exactly observing the law as his copy, and doing, not only that which was there required, but in all circumstances according to the appointment. Thirdly, He must do according to all that was written, without exception or reserve, having a respect to all God's commandments, even those which are most displeasing to flesh and blood. Fourthly, He must observe to do so, observe the checks of conscience, the hints of providence, and all the advantages of opportunity: careful observance is necessary to universal obedience. Fifthly, He must not turn from it, either in his own practice, or in any act of government, to the right hand or to the left, for there are errors on both hands, and virtue is in the mean. Sixthly, He must be strong and courageous, that he may do according to the law. So many discouragements there are in the way of duty, that those who will proceed and persevere in it, must put on resolution. And (lastly) to encourage him in his obedience, he assures him, that then he shall do wisely, (as it is in the margin,) and make his way prosperous, v. 7. 8. They that make the word of God their rule, and conscientiously walk by that rule, shall both do well and speed well; it will furnish them with the best maxims by which to order their conversation, Ps. 111. 10. And it will entitle them to the best blessings; God shall give them the desire of their heart.

(2.) That he encourage himself herein with the promise and presence of God, and make those his stay, v. 6, Be strong and of a good courage. And again, v. 7. as if this was the one thing needful, only be strong and very courageous. And he concludes with this, v. 9, Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. Joshua had long since signalized his valour in the war with Amalek, and in his dissent from the report of the evil spies, and yet God sees fit thus to inculcate this precept upon him. Those that have grace, have need to be called upon again and again to exercise grace and to improve in it. Joshua was humble and low in his own eyes, not distrustful of God, and his power, and promise, but diffident of himself, and of his own wisdom, and strength, and sufficiency for the work, especially coming after so great a man as Moses; and therefore God repeats this so often, "Be strong and of a good courage; let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee, God is all-sufficient. Have not I commanded thee? [1.] "I have commanded the work to be done, and therefore it shall be done, how invincible soever the difficulties may seem that lie in the way." Nay, [2.] "I have