Joshua 24

Notes

[Ver. 1. Shechem. Several commentators of high repute are for displacing Shechem in this and every other part of the chapter except ver. 32, and supplying Shiloh, because the ark was at Shiloh and not at Shechem. Various reasons are assigned for this proposal, which we hold it unnecessary to repeat. There is no sufficient authority for the proposal, except the conjecture of the proposers, founded on an imaginary difficulty, which can have no weight against the almost uniform evidence of the Hebrew MSS. and early translations. If the ark was necessary to this great transaction, where was the difficulty in its temporary removal to Shechem, and its subsequent restoration to Shiloh?—Presented themselves before God. Upon the expression 'before God' the idea of the presence of the ark at Shechem is founded. The subsequent use of the phrase, and which in Scripture is generally the best resource of interpreters, does not warrant this conclusion. See Ac. 10. 33. C.]

Ver. 23. [Put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you. We cannot too often repeat our astonishment at the obstinate adherence of Israel to idolatry; nor too carefully draw the comparison between Jews and Christians in this point of view. Idolatry is a pliant sin, and can take many forms. The idolatry of the understanding—the idolatry of the imagination—the idolatry of the passions, are forms more common, and therefore less noticed, but not therefore less real nor less hateful in the sight of God, than the idolatry of the senses. He that places upon any object one particle of the love he owes to God, is as much an idolater as he who bows down to the sun, or worships a beast or an image of wood or stone. C.]

Ver. 26. [The word 'there' must necessarily refer to the place named immediately before; that is, Shechem, where the assembly was held and the covenant made. We may therefore conclude that the ark and tabernacle had been removed temporarily from Shiloh and set up at Shechem. There is, however, another probable explanation given by Masius:—'I think that that spot is called the Sanctuary of God which was the first in all Canaan to be consecrated by Abraham, when he erected an altar and offered worship by the tree which was standing there, and when he received from God his most welcome announcement.'—'The Book of the Law of God' is undoubtedly the Pentateuch, and we gather from the statement here that the words written by Joshua were considered of equal authority, and therefore a continuation of the divine oracles. P.]

Ver. 31. [Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua. That is, Israel as a nation served God all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived him. As individuals Joshua's own words testify that many were idolaters, of which fact they soon gave melancholy evidence. C.]

Ver. 32. [The bones of Joseph. The entire stream of history bears records of the tomb of Joseph. It is mentioned by Jerome, and continues to be pointed out to every modern traveller. It is now a Turkish oratory, with a whitened dome. It lies in the opening of the valley of Shechem, between the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, and only a few hundred yards north of Jacob's Well. C. and P.]

Ver. 33. [About 5 miles south-east of Nabulus, on the side of the ridge which bounds the upland plain of Mukhna on the east, stands the village of Awertah. In it is the traditional tomb of Phinehas, surrounded by a rude wall, and partially covered by the branches of a great vine. Some distance from the village, on a hill, stands the tomb of Eleazar, with a cave beside it, to which the name of Elijah is attached. It is overshadowed by large oaks, probably the remains of an ancient sacred grove. These tombs are held in great veneration by both Jews and Samaritans, a fact which goes far to prove their authenticity. Mohammedans also esteem them sacred. The district around them may thus be the place called by the historian in this verse the hill of Phinehas. P.]

Reflections.—Faithful ministers and magistrates are loath to leave this world without spending their last breath in the service of God, and manifesting a deep concern to have religion flourish among their friends after their death. Marvellous and gracious are the transactions of God with respect to his people: and great cheerfulness and gratitude ought to take place in our service of him and in cleaving to him alone. And the most solemn engagements, with a deep sense of the purity, power, and profitableness of religion, should always be maintained, to render us duly diligent and constant in it. It is pleasing to see those who inculcate religion upon others, from choice become noted patterns of it themselves and in their families, and daring to be singular therein; and when people, the greatest not excepted, seem fond of attending solemn opportunities of fellowship with God, and edification to their souls. The glory indeed and influence of the great and good on earth is quickly stopped by death. But when our fathers fail, and since our prophets do not live for ever, what a mercy is it that our Redeemer liveth, and will be with us always, even unto the end of the world!

And was not Joshua a noted type of him, our Captain of salvation, who brings many sons and daughters to glory! God solemnly called him to, and fitted him for, his mediatorial office: and in his baptism at Jordan's banks began to magnify him before the people; nor did he ever fail him or forsake him. Made under and trained up in servitude to Moses' broken law, he became fit for his work; and even his name is pregnant with manifold and everlasting salvation. Through what Jordans of trouble and death does he bring his church into her gospel form, and her true members into their spiritual and celestial state! He circumcises their hearts, and feasts them on his flesh and blood, to prepare them for their spiritual warfare on earth. He powerfully intercedes for them, and makes up all breaches between God and them. Miraculously and wisely he conquers all their enemies, treads them under their feet, and enriches them with their spoil. He purchased and prepares for them the promised, the heavenly Canaan; and in due time puts them into the full and quiet possession thereof, according to his Father's purpose and promise. Having come into the bond of the covenant, he weans them from their idolatry, and makes them serve the Lord, and walk as he also walked.—Readily he receives returning harlots and prodigals—accursed sinners of the Gentiles—and consecrates them to the service of God. But no obstinate and hardened opposer is able to stand before him all the days of his life. Fire, hail, and furious storms he did and will rain upon his Jewish, heathen, antichristian, or other implacable enemies. Nor till his victories be finished shall the luminaries of heaven, or those of his church, withdraw their shining.