Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 2.djvu/28

24 of great stones,) and as near as might be from the very place where the priests stood with the ark, v. 3, 5. This intended monument deserved to have been made of stones curiously cut with the finest and most exquisite art, but these stones out of the bottom of the river were more natural and more apt indications of the miracle; let posterity know by this, that Jordan was driven back, for these very stones were then fetched out of it. In the institution of signs, God always chose that which was most proper and significant, rather than that which is pompous or curious; for God hath Chosen the foolish things of the world. These twelve men, after they got over Jordan, must be sent back to the place where the ark stood, being permitted to come near it, (which others might not,) for this service; pass over before the ark, v. 5. that is, "into the presence of the ark, which now stands in the midst of Jordan, and thence fetch these stones." 4. The use of these stones is here appointed for a sign, v. 6. a memorial, v. 7. They would give occasion to the children to ask their parents in time to come, How came these stones thither? Probably the land about was not stony; but the parents would inform them, as they themselves had been informed, that in this place Jordan was divided by the almighty power of God, to give Israel passage into Canaan, as Joshua enlarges on this head, v. 22, &c.

II. According to these orders the thing was done.

1. Twelve stones were taken up out of the midst of Jordan, and carried in the sight of the people to the place where they had their head-quarters that night, v. 8. It is probable that the stones they took, were as big as they could well carry, and as near as might be of a size and shape. But whether they went away with them immediately to the place, or whether they staid to attend the ark, and kept pace with the solemn procession of that, to grace its triumphant entry into Canaan, is not certain. By these stones, which they were ordered to take up, God did, as it were, give them livery and seisin of this good land, it is all their own, let them enter and take possession; therefore what these twelve did, the children of Israel are said to do, v. 8. because they were the representatives of their respective tribes. In allusion to this, we may observe, that when the Lord Jesus, our Joshua, having overcome the sharpness of death, and dried up that Jordan, had opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, he appointed his twelve apostles, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, by the memorial of the gospel to transmit the knowledge of this to remote places and future ages.

2. Other twelve stones (probably, much larger than the other, for we read not that they were each of them one man's load) were set up in the midst of Jordan, v. 9. piled up so high in a heap or pillar, as that the top of it might be seen above water, when the river was low, or seen in the water, when it was clear, or at least the noise or commotion of the water passing over it would be observable, and the bargemen would avoid it, as they do a rock; some way or other, it is likely, it was discernible so as to notify the very place where the ark stood, and to serve for a duplicate to the other monument, which was to be set on dry land in Gilgal, for the confirming of its testimony, and the preserving of its tradition. The sign being doubled, no doubt, the thing was certain.

10. For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. 11. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. 12. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them: 13. About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14. On that day the magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. 15. And the spake unto Joshua, saying, 16. Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. 17. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. 18. And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. 19. And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

The inspired historian seems to be so well pleased with his subject here, that he is loath to quit it, and is therefore very particular in his narrative, especially in observing how closely Joshua pursued the orders God gave him, and that he did nothing without divine direction, finishing all that the Lord had commanded him, (v. 10.) which is also said to be what Moses commanded. We read not of any particular commands that Moses gave Joshua about this matter, the thing was altogether new to him. It must therefore be understood of the general instructions Moses had given him to follow the divine conduct, to deliver that to the people, which he had received of the Lord, and to take all occasions to remind them of their duty to God, as the best return for his favours to them: This which Moses, who was now dead and gone, had said to him, he had in mind at this time, and did accordingly. It is well for us to have the good instructions that have been given us, ready to us, when we have occasion for them.

1. All the people hasted and passed over, v. 10. Some understand it of the twelve men that carried the stones, but it seems rather to be meant of the body of the people; for though an account was given of their passing over, v. 1. yet here it is repeated for the sake of this circumstance, which was to be added, that they passed over in haste, either because Joshua by their officers ordered them to make haste for it was to be but one day's work, and they must not leave a hoof behind; or, perhaps, it was their own inclination that hastened them. (1.) Some hasted, because they were not able to trust God, they were afraid the waters should return upon them being conscious of guilt, and diffident of the divine power and goodness. (2.) Others, because they were not willing to tempt God to continue the