ask questions, Luke 2. 46. Perhaps when John was baptizing in Jordan at Bethabara, (the house of passage where the people passed over) he pointed at these very stones, while saying, Matt. 3. 9, God is able of these stones (which were at first set up by the twelve tribes) to raise up children unto Abraham. The stones being the memorial of the miracles, the children's question gave occasion for the improvement of it; but our Saviour says, Luke 19. 40, If the children should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out; for one way or other the Lord will be glorified in his works of wonder.
II. The parents are here directed what answer to give to this inquiry, v. 22. "Ye shall let your children know that which you have yourselves learned from the written word, and from your fathers." Note, It is the duty of parents to acquaint their children betimes with the word and works of God, that they may be trained up in the way they should go.
1. They must let their children know that Jordan was driven back before Israel, who went through it upon dry land, and, that this was the very place where they passed over. They saw how deep and strong a stream Jordan now was, but the divine power put a stop to it, even then when it overflowed all its banks—"and this for you, that live so long after." Note, God's mercies to our ancestors were mercies to us: and we should take all occasions to revive the remembrance of the great things God did for our fathers in the days of old. The place thus marked would be a memorandum to them; Israel came over this Jordan. A local memory would be of use to them, and the sight of the place remind them of that which was done there; and not only the inhabitants of that country, but strangers and travellers, would look upon these stones and receive instruction. Many, upon the sight of the stones, would go to their bibles, and there read the history of this wondrous work; and some, perhaps, upon reading the history, though living at a distance, would have the curiosity to go and see the stones.
2. They must take that occasion to tell their children of the drying up of the Red-sea forty years before, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea. Note, (1.) It greatly magnifies later mercies to compare them with former mercies, for, by making the comparison, it appears that God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. (2.) Later mercies should bring to remembrance former mercies, and revive our thankfulness for them.
3. They must put them in the way of making a good use of these works of wonder, the knowledge whereof was thus carefully transmitted to them, v. 24. (1.) The power of God was hereby magnified. All the world was, or might be, convinced that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that nothing is too hard for God to do; nor can any power, no, not that of nature itself, obstruct what God will effect. The deliverances of God's people are instructions to all people, and fair warnings not to contend with Omnipotence. (2.) The people of God were engaged and encouraged to persevere in his service; "That ye might fear the Lord your God, and consequently do your duty to him, and this for ever;" or all days, (Margin.) "Every day, all the days of your lives, and your seed throughout your generations." The remembrance of this wonderful work should effectually restrain them from the worship of other gods, and constrain them to abide and abound in the service of their own God. Note, In all the instructions and informations parents give their children, they should have chiefly in their eye to teach and engage them to fear God for ever. Serious godliness is the best learning.
CHAP. V.
Israel is now got over Jordan, and the waters which had opened before them to favour their march forward, are closed again behind them to forbid their retreat backward : they have now got footing in Canaan, and must apply themselves to the conquest of it; in order to which this chapter tells us, I. How their enemies were dispirited, v. 1. II. What was done at their first landing to assist and encourage them. 1. The covenant of circumcision was renewed, v. 2..9. 2. The feast of the passover was celebrated, v. 10. 3. Their camp was victualled with the corn of the land, whereupon the manna ceased, v. 11, 12. 4. The Captain of the Lord's host himself appeared to Joshua, to animate and direct him, v. 13..15..
1.AND it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. 2. At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. 3. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: all the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. 6. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not show them the land which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. 7. And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. 8. And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp till they were whole. 9. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
A vast show, no doubt, the numerous camp of Israel made in the plains of Jericho, where now they had pitched their tents; Who can count the dust of Jacob? That which had long been the church in the
