Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 2.djvu/33

Rh day of the month, at even, in the plains of Jericho. 11. And they did eat of the old corn of the land, on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes and parched corn in the self-same day. 12. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

We may well imagine that the people of Canaan were astonished, and that when they observed the motions of the enemy they could not but think them very strange. When soldiers take the field, they are apt to think themselves excused from religious exercises, (they have not time or thought to attend them,) yet Joshua opens the campaign with one act of devotion after another. What was afterwards said to another Joshua, might truly be said to this, Hear now, O Joshua, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee, are men wondered at, Zech. 3. 8. and yet indeed he took the right method. This is likely to end well, that begins with God.

Here is,

I. A solemn passover kept, at the time appointed by the law, the fourteenth day of the first month, and in the same place where they were circumcised, v. 10. While they were wandering in the wilderness, they were denied the benefit and comfort of this ordinance, as a further token of God's displeasure; but now, in answer to the prayer of Moses, upon the passing of that sentence, Ps. 90. 15. God comforted them again, after the time that he had afflicted them, and therefore now that joyful ordinance is revived again. Now that they had entered into Canaan, it was very reasonable to remember those wondrous works of divine power and goodness, by which they were brought out of Egypt. The finishing of mercies should bring to mind the beginning of them; and when it is perfect day we must not forget how welcome the morning light was, when we had long waited for it. The solemn passover followed immediately after the solemn circumcision; thus, when they that received the word were baptized, immediately we find them breaking of bread, Acts 2. 41, 42, They kept this passover in the plains of Jericho, as it were in defiance of the Canaanites that were round about them and enraged against them, and yet could not give them any disturbance. Thus God gave them an early instance of the performance of that promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be taken under the special protection of the Divine Providence, Exod. 34. 24, Neither shall any man desire thy land. He now prepared a table before them in the presence of their enemies, Ps. 23. 5.

II. Provision made for their camp of the corn of their land, and the ceasing of the manna thereupon, v. 11, 12. Manna was a wonderful mercy to them when they needed it; but it was the mark of a wilderness state, it was the food of children, and therefore, though it was angels' food, and not to be complained of as light bread, yet it would be more acceptable to them to eat of the corn of the land, and that they are now furnished with; the country people being retired for safety into Jericho, left their barns and fields, and all that was in them, which served for the subsistence of this great army. And the supply came very seasonable, for, 1. After the passover, they were to keep the feast of unleavened bread, which they could not do according to the appointment, when they had nothing but manna to live upon; perhaps this was one reason why it was intermitted in the wilderness. But now they found old corn enough in the barn of the Canaanites to supply them plentifully for that occasion; thus the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just, and little did they who laid it up, think, whose all these things should he, which they had provided. 2. On the morrow after the passover-sabbath, they were to wave the sheaf of first-fruits before the Lord, Lev. 23. 10, 11. And this they were particularly ordered to do, when they were come into the land which God would give them; and they were furnished for this with the fruit of the land that year, v. 12, which was then growing and beginning to be ripe. Thus they were well provided for, both with old and new corn, as good householders, Matt 13. 52, And as soon as ever the fruits of this good land came to their hands, they had an opportunity of honouring God with them, and employing them in his service according to his appointment. And thus, behold all things are clean and comfortable to them. Calvin is of opinion, that they had kept the passover every year in its season during their wandering in the wilderness, though it is not mentioned, and that God dispensed with their being uncircumcised, as he did notwithstanding that, admit them to offer other sacrifices. But some gather from Amos 5, 25. that after the sentence passed upon them, there were no sacrifices offered till they came to Canaan, and consequently no passover kept. And it is observable, that after that sentence, Numb. 14. the law which follows, ch. 15. concerning sacrifices, begins, v. 2, When ye shall be come into the land of your habitations, you shall do so and so.

Notice is taken of the ceasing of the manna as soon as ever they had eaten the old corn of the land; (1.) To show that it did not come by chance or common providence, as snow or hail does, but by the special designation of divine wisdom and goodness; for as it came just when they needed it, so it continued as long as they had occasion for it, and no longer. (2.) To teach us not to expect extraordinary supplies, when they may be had in an ordinary way. If God had dealt with Israel according to their deserts, the manna had ceased then when they called it light bread; but as long as they needed it, God continued it, though they despised it; and now that they needed not, God withdrew it, though perhaps some of them desired it. He is a wise Father, who knows the necessities of his children, and accommodates his gifts to them, not to their humours. The word and ordinances of God are spiritual manna, with which God nourishes his people in this wilderness, and though often forfeited, yet they are continued while we are here; but when we come to the heavenly Canaan, this manna will cease, for we no longer have need of it.

13. And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14. And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord [sic] unto his servant? 15. And the captain of the host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

We have hitherto found God often speak to Joshua, but we read not till now of any appearance