of the divine conduct and care they were under, which would undoubtedly make the progress of their arms glorious. He that so wonderfully protected their scouts, would preserve their men of war, and cover their heads in the day of battle.
2. The report they brought was much more encouraging, v. 24. "All the inhabitants of the country, though resolved to stand it out, yet do faint because of us, they have neither wisdom to yield, nor courage to fight;" whence they conclude, "Truly the Lord has delivered into our hands all the land, it is all our own, we have nothing to do, in effect, but to take possession." Sinners' frights are sometimes sure presages of their fall. If we resist our spiritual enemies, they will flee before us, which will encourage us to hope that in due time we shall be more than conquerors.
CHAP. III.
This chapter, and that which follows it, gives us the history of Israel's passing through Jordan into Canaan, and a very memorable history it is. Long after, they are bid to remember, what God did for them between Shittim (whence they decamped, v. 1.) and Gilgal, where they next pitched, ch. 4. 19. Mic. 6. 5, That they might know the righteousness of the Lord. By Joshua's order they marched up to the river's side, v. 1. and then almighty power led them through it. They passed through the Red-sea unexpectedly, and in their flight by night, but they have notice some time before of their passing through Jordan, and their expectations raised. I. The people are directed to follow the ark, v. 2..4. II. They are commanded to sanctify themselves, v. 5. III. The priests with the ark are ordered to lead the van, v. 6. IV. Joshua is magnified and made commander in chief, v. 7, 8. V. Public notice is given of what God is about to do for them, v. 9..13. VI. The thing is done, Jordan is divided, and Israel brought safely through it, v. 14..17. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
1.AND Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2. And it came to pass, after three days, that the officers went through the host; 3. And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. 4. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. 5. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to-morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 6. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
Rahab, in mentioning to the spies the drying up of the Red Sea, ch. 2. 10. the report of which terrified the Canaanites more than any thing else, intimates that they on that side the water expected that Jordan, that great defence of their country, would in like manner give way to them; whether the Israelites had any expectation of it, does not appear. God often did things for them which they looked not for, Isa. 64. 3. Now here we are told,
1. That they came to Jordan and lodged there, v. 1. Though they were not yet told how they should pass the river, and were unprovided for the passing of it in any ordinary way, yet they went forward in faith, having been told, ch. 1. 11. that they should pass it. We must go on in the way of our duty, though we foresee difficulties, trusting God to help us through them, when we come to them. Let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on divine sufficiency for that which we find ourselves not sufficient for. In this march Joshua led them, and particular notice is taken of his early rising; as there is afterward upon other occasions, ch. 6. 12.—7. 16.—8. 10. which intimates how little he loved his ease, how much he loved his business, and what care and pains he was willing to take in it. Those that would bring great things to pass, must rise early. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. Joshua herein set a good example to the officers under him, and taught them to rise early, and to all that are in public stations especially to attend continually to the duty of their place.
II. That the people were directed to follow the ark; officers were appointed to go through the host to give these directions, v. 2. that every Israelite might know both what to do, and what to depend upon.
1. They might depend upon the ark to lead them; that is, upon God himself, of whose presence the ark was an instituted sign and token. It seems, the pillar of cloud and fire was removed, else that had led them, unless we suppose that that now hovered over the ark, and so they had a double guide, honour was put upon the ark, and a defence upon that glory. It is called here the ark of the covenant of the Lord their God. What greater encouragement could they have than this, That the Lord was their God, a God in covenant with them? Here was the ark of the covenant; if God be our's, we need not to fear any evil. He was nigh to them, present with them, went before them: What could come amiss to them that were thus guided, thus guarded? Formerly, the ark was carried in the midst of the camp, but now it went before them to search out a resting-place for them, Numb. 10. 33. and, as it were, to give them livery and seisin of the promised land, and put them in possession of it. In the ark the tables of the law were, and over it the mercy-seat, for the divine law and grace reigning in the heart are the surest pledges of God's presence and favour; and those that would be led to the heavenly Canaan, must take the law of God for their guide, (if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments,) and have the great Propitiation in their eye, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
2. They might depend upon the priests and Levites, who were appointed for that purpose to carry the ark before them. The work of ministers is to hold forth the word of life, and to take care of the administration of those ordinances which are the tokens of God's presence, and the instruments of his power and grace; and herein they must go before the people of God in their way to heaven.
3. The people must follow the ark. Remove from your place and go after it; (1.) As those that are resolved never to forsake it; wherever God's ordinances are, there we must be; if they flit, we must remove and go after them. (2.) As those that are entirely satisfied in its guidance, that it will lead in the best way to the best end; and therefore, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. This must be all their care, to attend the motions of the ark, and follow it with an implicit faith. Thus must we walk after the rule of the
