Notes from Joshua 12

This chapter is a summary of Israel's conquests.

I. Their conquests under Moses, on the other side Jordan (for we now suppose ourselves in Canaan) eastward, which we had the history of, Num. 21:24, etc. And here the abridgment of that history (v. 1-6).
II. Their conquests under Joshua, on this side Jordan, westward.
1. The country they reduced (v. 7, 8).
2. The kings they subdued, thirty-one in all (v. 9-24). And this comes in here, not only as a conclusion of the history of the wars of Canaan (that we might at one view see what they had got), but as a preface to the history of the dividing of Canaan, that all that might be put together which they were not to make a distribution of.

Notes from Joshua 11

This chapter continues and concludes the history of the conquest of Canaan; of the reduction of the southern parts we had an account in the foregoing chapter, after which we may suppose Joshua allowed his forces some breathing-time; now here we have the story of the war in the north, and the happy success of that war.

I. The confederacy of the northern crowns against Israel (v. 1-5).
II. The encouragement which God gave to Joshua to engage them (v. 6).
III. His victory over them (v. 7-9).
IV. The taking of their cities (v. 10-15).
V. The destruction of the Anakim (v. 21, 22).
VI. The general conclusion of the story of this war (v. 16-20, 23).

Notes from Joshua 10

We have in this chapter an account of the conquest of the kings and kingdoms of the southern part of the land of Canaan, as, in the next chapter, of the reduction of the northern parts, which together completed the glorious successes of the wars of Canaan. In this chapter we have an account,

I. Of the routing of their forces in the field, in which observe,
1. Their confederacy against the Gibeonites (v. 1-5).
2. The Gibeonites' request to Joshua to assist them (v. 6).
3. Joshua's speeds march under divine encouragement for their relief (v. 7-9).
4. The defeat of the armies of these confederate kings (v. 10, 11).
5. The miraculous prolonging of the day by the standing still of the sun in favour of the conquerors (v. 12-14).
II. Of the execution of the kings that escaped out of the battle (v. 15-27).
III. Of the taking of the particular cities, and the total destruction of all that were found in them. Makkedah (v. 28). Libnah (v. 29, 30). Lachish (v. 31, 32) and the king of Gezer that attempted its rescue (v. 33). Eglon (v. 34, 35). Hebron (v. 36, 37). Debir (v. 38, 39). And the bringing of all that country into the hands of Israel (v. 40-42). And, lastly, the return of the army to the head-quarters (v. 43).

Notes from Joshua 9

Here is in this chapter,

I. The impolite confederacy of the kings of Canaan against Israel (v. 1, 2).
II. The polite confederacy of the inhabitants of Gibeon with Israel,
1. How it was subtly proposed and petitioned for by the Gibeonites pretending to come from a far country (v. 3-13).
2. How it was unwarily consented to by Joshua and the Israelites, to the disgust of the congregation when the fraud was discovered (v. 14-18).
3. How the matter was adjusted to the satisfaction of all sides, by giving these Gibeonites their lives because they had covenanted with them, yet depriving them of their liberties because the covenant was not fairly obtained (v. 19-27).

Notes from Joshua 8

The embarrassment which Achan's sin gave to the affairs of Israel being over, we have them here in a very good posture again, the affairs both of war and religion. Here is,

I. The glorious progress of their arms in the taking of Ai, before which they had lately suffered disgrace.
1. God encourages Joshua to attack it, with the assurance of success, and directs him what method to take (v. 1, 2).
2. Joshua gives orders accordingly to the men of war (v. 3-8).
3. The stratagem is managed as it was projected, and succeeds as it was desired (v. 9-22).
4. Joshua becomes master of this city, puts all the inhabitants to the sword, burns it, hangs the king, but gives the plunder to the soldiers (v. 23-29).
II. The great solemnity of writing and reading the law before a general assembly of all Israel, drawn up for that purpose upon the two mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, according to an order which Moses had received from the Lord, and delivered to them (v. 30-35). Thus did they take their work before them, and make the business of their religion to keep pace with their secular business.

Notes from Joshua 7

More than once we have found the affairs of Israel, even when they were in the happiest posture and gave the most hopeful prospects, perplexed and embarrassed by sin, and a stop thereby put to the most promising proceedings. The golden calf, the murmuring at Kadesh, and the iniquity of Peor, had broken their measures and given them great disturbance; and in this chapter we have such another instance of the interruption given to the progress of their arms by sin. But it being only the sin of one person or family, and soon expiated, the consequences were not so mischievous as of those other sins; however it served to let them know that they were still upon their good behaviour. We have here,

I. The sin of Achan in meddling with the accursed thing (v. 1).
II. The defeat of Israel before Ai thereupon (v. 2-5).
III. Joshua's humiliation and prayer on occasion of that sad disaster (v. 6-9).
IV. The directions God gave him for the putting away of the guilt which had provoked God thus to contend with them (v. 10-15).
V. The discovery, trial, conviction, condemnation, and execution, of the criminal, by which the anger of God was turned away (v. 16-26). And by this story it appears that, as the laws, so Canaan itself, "made nothing perfect,' the perfection both of holiness and peace to God's Israel is to be expected in the heavenly Canaan only.

Notes from Joshua 6

Joshua opened the campaign with the siege of Jericho, a city which could not trust so much to the courage of its people as to act offensively, and to send out its forces to oppose Israel's landing and encamping, but trusted so much to the strength of its walls as to stand upon its defence, and not to surrender, or desire conditions of peace. Now here we have the story of the taking of it,

I. The directions and assurances which the captain of the Lord's host gave concerning it (v. 1-5).
II. The trial of the people's patient obedience in walking round the city six days (v. 6-14).
III. The wonderful delivery of it into their hands the seventh day, with a solemn charge to them to use it as a devoted thing (v. 15-21 and 24).
IV. The preservation of Rahab and her relations (v. 22, 23, 25).
V. A curse pronounced upon the man that should dare to rebuild this city (v. 26, 27). An abstract of this story we find among the trophies of faith, Heb. 11:30. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.'

Notes from Joshua 5

Israel have 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).

Notes from Joshua 4

This chapter gives a further account of the miraculous passage of Israel through Jordan.

I. The provision that was made at that time to preserve the memorial of it, by twelve stones set up in Jordan (v. 9) and other twelve stones taken up out of Jordan (v. 1-8).
II. The march of the people through Jordan's channel, the two tribes first, then all the people, and the priests that bore the ark last (v. 10-14).
III. The closing of the waters again upon their coming up with the ark (v. 15-19).
IV. The erecting of the monument in Gilgal, to preserve the remembrance of this work of wonder to posterity (v. 20-24).

Notes from Joshua 3

This chapter, and that which follows it, give us the history of Israel's passing through Jordan into Canaan, and a very memorable history it is. Long afterwards, they are told 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).
IV. 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.

Notes from Joshua 2

In this chapter we have an account of the scouts that were employed to bring an account to Joshua of the posture of the city of Jericho. Observe here,

I. How Joshua sent them (v. 1).
II. How Rahab received them, and protected them, and told a lie for them (v. 2-7), so that they escaped out of the hands of the enemy.
III. The account she gave them of the present posture of Jericho, and the panic-fear they were struck with upon the approach of Israel (v. 8-11).
IV. The bargain she made with them for the security of herself and her relations in the ruin she saw coming upon her city (v. 12-21).
V. Their safe return to Joshua, and the account they gave him of their expedition (v. 22-24). And that which makes this story most remarkable is that Rahab, the person principally concerned in it, is twice celebrated in the New Testament as a great believer (Heb. 11:31) and as one whose faith proved itself by good works, James 2:25.

Notes from Joshua 1

The book begins with the history, not of Joshua's life (many remarkable passages of that we had before in the books of Moses) but of his reign and government. In this chapter,

I. God appoints him to the government in the stead of Moses, gives him an ample commission, full instructions, and great encouragements (v. 1-9).
II. He accepts the government, and addresses himself immediately to the business of it, giving orders to the officers of the people in general (v. 10, 11) and particularly to the two tribes and a half (v. 12-15).
III. The people agree to it, and take an oath of fealty to him (v. 16-18). A reign which thus began with God could not but be honourable to the prince and comfortable to the subject. The last words of Moses are still verified, "Happy art thou, O Israel! Who is like unto thee, O people?' Deu. 33:29.

Notes from Deut 34

Having read how Moses finished his testimony, we are told here how he immediately after finished his life. This chapter could not be written by Moses himself, but was added by Joshua or Eleazar, or, as bishop Patrick conjectures, by Samuel, who was a prophet, and wrote by divine authority what he found in the records of Joshua, and his successors the judges. We have had an account of his dying words, here we have an account of his dying work, and that is work we must all do shortly, and it had need be well done. Here is,

I. The view Moses had of the land of Canaan just before he died (v. 1-4).
II. His death and burial (v. 5, 6).
III. His age (v. 7).
IV. Israel's mourning for him (v. 8).
V. His successor (v. 9).
VI. His character (v. 10, etc.).

Notes from Deut 33

Yet Moses has not done with the children of Israel; he seemed to have taken final leave of them in the close of the foregoing chapter, but still he has something more to say. He had preached them a farewell sermon, a very copious and pathetic discourse. After sermon he had given out a psalm, a long psalm; and now nothing remains but to dismiss them with a blessing; that blessing he pronounces in this chapter in the name of the Lord, and so leaves them.

I. He pronounces them all blessed in what God had done for them already, especially in giving them his law (v. 2-5).
II. He pronounces a blessing upon each tribe, which is both a prayer for and a prophecy of their felicity.
1. Reuben (v. 6).
2. Judah (v. 7).
3. Levi (v. 8-11).
4. Benjamin (v. 12).
5. Joseph (v. 13-17).
6. Zebulun and Issachar (v. 18, 19).
7. Gad (v. 20, 21).
8. Dan (v. 22).
9. Naphtali (v. 23).
10. Asher (v. 24, 25).
III. He pronounces them all in general blessed upon the account of what God would be to them, and do for them if they were obedient (v. 26, etc.).

Notes from Deut 32

In this chapter we have,

I. The song which Moses, by the appointment of God, delivered to the children of Israel, for a standing admonition to them, to take heed of forsaking God. This takes up most of the chapter, in which we have,
1. The preface (v. 1, 2).
2. A high character of God, and, in opposition to that, a bad character of the people of Israel (v. 3-6).
3. A rehearsal of the great things God had done for them, and in opposition to that an account of their ill carriage towards him (v. 7-18).
4. A prediction of the wasting destroying judgments which God would bring upon them for their sins, in which God is here justified by the many aggravations of their impieties (v. 19-33).
5. A promise of the destruction of their enemies and oppressors at last, and the glorious deliverance of a remnant of Israel (v. 36-43).
II. The exhortation with which Moses delivered this song to them (v. 44-47).
III. The orders God gives to Moses to go up to Mount Nebo and die (v. 48, etc.).

Notes from Deut 31

In this chapter Moses, having finished his sermon,

I. Encourages both the people who were now to enter Canaan (v. 1-6), and Joshua who was to lead them (v. 7, 8, 23). And,
II. He takes care for the keeping of these things always in their remembrance after his decease,
1. By the book of the law which was,
(1.) Written.
(2.) Delivered into the custody of the priests (v. 9, and 24-27).
(3.) Ordered to be publicly read every seventh year (v. 10-13).
2. By a song which God orders Moses to prepare for their instruction and admonition.
(1.) He calls Moses and Joshua to the door of the tabernacle (v. 14, 15).
(2.) He foretels the apostasy of Israel in process of time, and the judgments they would thereby bring upon themselves (v. 16-18).
(3.) He prescribes the following song to be a witness against them (v. 19-21).
(4.) Moses wrote it (v. 22). And delivered it to Israel, with an intimation of the design of it, as he had received it from the Lord (v. 28, etc.).

Notes from Deut 30

One would have thought that the threatenings in the close of the foregoing chapter had made a full end of the people of Israel, and had left their case for ever desperate; but in this chapter we have a plain intimation of the mercy God had in store for them in the latter days, so that mercy at length rejoices against judgment, and has the last word. Here we have,

I. Exceedingly great and precious promises made to them, upon their repentance and return to God (v. 1-10).
II. The righteousness of faith set before them in the plainness and easiness of the commandment that was now given them (v. 11-14).
III. A fair reference of the whole matter to their choice (v. 15, etc.).

Notes from Deut 29

The first words of this chapter are the contents of it, "These are the words of the covenant' (v. 1), that is, these that follow. Here is,

I. A recital of God's dealings with them, in order to the bringing of them into this covenant (v. 2-8).
II. A solemn charge to them to keep the covenant (v. 9).
III. An abstract of the covenant itself (v. 12, 13).
IV. A specification of the persons taken into the covenant (v. 10, 11, 14, 15).
V. An intimation of the great design of this covenant against idolatry, in a parenthesis (v. 16, 17).
VI. A most solemn and dreadful denunciation of the wrath of God against such persons as promise themselves peace in a sinful way (v. 18-28).
VII. The conclusion of this treaty, with a distinction between things secret and things revealed (v. 29).

Notes from Deut 28

This chapter is a very large exposition of two words in the foregoing chapter, the blessing and the curse. Those were pronounced blessed in general that were obedient, and those cursed that were disobedient; but, because generals are not so affecting, Moses here descends to particulars, and describes the blessing and the curse, not in their fountains (these are out of sight, and therefore the most considerable, yet least considered, the favour of God the spring of all the blessings, and the wrath of God the spring of all the curses), but in their streams, the sensible effects of the blessing and the curse, for they are real things and have real effects.

I. He describes the blessings that should come upon them if they were obedient; personal, family, and especially national, for in that capacity especially they are here treated with (v. 1-14).
II. He more largely describes the curses which would come upon them if they were disobedient; such as would be,
1. Their extreme vexation (v. 15-44).
2. Their utter ruin and destruction at last (v. 45-68). This chapter is much to the same purport with Lev. 26, setting before them life and death, good and evil; and the promise, in the close of that chapter, of their restoration, upon their repentance, is here likewise more largely repeated, ch. 30. Thus, as they had precept upon precept in the repetition of the law, so they had line upon line in the repetition of the promises and threatenings. And these are both there and here delivered, not only as sanctions of the law, what should be conditionally, but as predictions of the event, what would be certainly, that for a while the people of Israel would be happy in their obedience, but that at length they would be undone by their disobedience; and therefore it is said (ch. 30:1) that all those things would come upon them, both the blessing and the curse.

Notes from Deut 27

Moses having very largely and fully set before the people their duty, both to God and one another, in general and in particular instances,-having shown them plainly what is good, and what the law requires of them,-and having in the close of the foregoing chapter laid them under the obligation both of the command and the covenant, he comes in this chapter to prescribe outward means,

I. For the helping of their memories, that they might not forget the law as a strange thing. They must write all the words of this law upon stones (v. 1-10).
II. For the moving of their affections, that they might not be indifferent to the law as a light thing. Whey they came into Canaan, the blessings and curses which were the sanctions of the law, were to be solemnly pronounced in the hearing of all Israel, who were to say Amen to them (v. 11-26). And if such a solemnity as this would not make a deep impression upon them, and affect them with the great things of God's law, nothing would.

Notes from Deut 26

With this chapter Moses concludes the particular statutes which he thought fit to give Israel in charge at his parting with them; what follows is by way of sanction and ratification. In this chapter,

I. Moses gives them a form of confession to be made by him that offered the basket of his first-fruits (v. 1-11).
II. The protestation and prayer to be made after the disposal of the third year's tithe (v. 12-15).
III. He binds on all the precepts he had given them,
1. By the divine authority: "Not I, but the Lord thy God has commanded thee to do these statutes' (v. 16).
2. By the mutual covenant between God and them (v. 17, etc.).

Notes from Deut 25

Here is,

I. A law to moderate the scourging of malefactors (v. 1-3).
II. A law in favour of the ox the treads out the corn (v. 4).
III. For the disgracing of him that refused to marry his brother's widow (v. 5-10).
IV. For the punishment of an immodest woman (v. 11, 12).
V. For just weights and measures (v. 13-16).
VI. For the destroying of Amalek (v. 17, etc.).

Notes from Deut 24

In this chapter we have,

I. The toleration of divorce (v. 1-4).
II. A discharge of new-married men from the war (v. 5).
III. Laws concerning pledges (v. 6, 10-13, 17).
IV. Against man-stealing (v. 7).
V. Concerning the leprosy (v. 8, 9).
VI. Against the injustice of masters towards their servants (v. 14, 15). Judges in capital causes (v. 16), and civil concerns (v. 17, 18).
VII. Of charity to the poor (v. 19, etc.).

Notes from Deut 23

The laws of this chapter provide,

I. For the preserving of the purity and honour of the families of Israel, by excluding such as would be a disgrace to them (v. 1-8).
II. For the preserving of the purity and honour of the camp of Israel when it was abroad (v. 9-14).
III. For the encouraging and entertaining of slaves who fled to them (v. 15, 16).
IV. Against whoredom (v. 17, 18).
V. Against usury (v. 19, 20).
IV. Against the breach of vows (v. 21-23).
VII. What liberty a man might take in his neighbour's field and vineyard, and what not (v. 24, 25).

Notes from Deut 22

In this chapter provision is made,

I. For the putting away of the guilt of blood from the land, when he that shed it had fled from justice (v. 1-9).
II. For the preserving of the honour of a captive maid (v. 10-14).
III. For the securing of the right of a first-born son, though he were not a favourite (v. 15-17).
IV. For the restraining and punishing of a rebellious son (v. 18-21).
V. For the maintaining of the honour of human bodies, which must not be hanged in chains, but decently buried, even the bodies of the worst malefactors (v. 22, 23).

Notes from Deut 21

In this chapter provision is made,

I. For the putting away of the guilt of blood from the land, when he that shed it had fled from justice (v. 1-9).
II. For the preserving of the honour of a captive maid (v. 10-14).
III. For the securing of the right of a first-born son, though he were not a favourite (v. 15-17).
IV. For the restraining and punishing of a rebellious son (v. 18-21).
V. For the maintaining of the honour of human bodies, which must not be hanged in chains, but decently buried, even the bodies of the worst malefactors (v. 22, 23).

Notes from Deut 20

This chapter settles the militia, and establishes the laws and ordinances of war,

I. Relating to the soldiers.
1. Those must be encouraged that were drawn up to battle (v. 1-4).
2. Those must be dismissed and sent back again whose private affairs called for their attendance at home (v. 5-7), or whose weakness and timidity unfitted them for service in the field (v. 8, 9).
II. Relating to the enemies they made war with.
1. The treaties they must make with the cities that were far off (v. 10-15).
2. The destruction they must make of the people into whose land they were going (v. 16-18).
3. The care they must take, in besieging cities, not to destroy the fruit-trees (v. 19, 20).

Notes from Deut 19

The laws which Moses had hitherto been repeating and urging mostly concerned the acts of religion and devotion towards God; but here he comes more fully to press the duties of righteousness between man and man. This chapter relates,

I. To the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill' (v. 1-13).
II. To the eighth commandment, "Thou shalt not steal' (v. 14).
III. To the ninth commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness,' (v. 15, etc.).

Notes from Deut 18

In this chapter,

I. The rights and revenues of the church are settled, and rules given concerning the Levites' ministration and maintenance (v. 1-8).
II. The caution against the idolatrous abominable customs of the heathen is repeated (v. 9-14).
III. A promise is given them of the spirit of prophecy to continue among them, and to centre at last in Christ the great prophet (v. 15-18).
IV. Wrath threatened against those that despise prophecy (v. 19) or counterfeit it (v. 20), and a rule given for the trial of it (v. 21, 22).

Notes from Deut 17

The charge of this chapter is,

I. Concerning the purity and perfection of all those animals that were offered in sacrifice (v. 1).
II. Concerning the punishment of those that worshipped idols (v. 2-7).
III. Concerning appeals from the inferior courts to the great sanhedrim (v. 8-13).
IV. Concerning the choice and duty of a king (v. 14, etc.).

Notes from Deuteronomy 16

In this chapter we have,

I. A repetition of the laws concerning the three yearly feasts; in particular, that of the passover (v. 1-8). That of pentecost (v. 9-12). That of tabernacles (v. 13-15). And the general law concerning the people's attendance on them (v. 16, 17).
II. The institution of an inferior magistracy, and general rules of justice given to those that were called into office (v. 18-20).
III. A caveat against groves and images (v. 21, 22).

SIGNS OF TRUE REPENTANCE.—Deu_30:8-10

I. True Repentance is accompanied with salutary fear. “If thou shalt hearken,” etc. The penitent does not trifle, but trembles at the word. He is afraid to offend. When God speaks, he listens to learn and obey.

II. True repentance leads to reformation of conduct. “Thou shalt return” (Deu_30:8). No murmuring, hatred, and departure from God, but right views, feelings, and relation to God. Re-tracing one’s steps, turning again. “I will arise and go to my Father.”

III. True repentance is evidenced by sincere obedience to God’s will. “Turn with all thine heart and keep his commandments” Deu_30:10). Self-will destroyed, God’s authority acknowledged, and His will supreme. The heart rightly affected, the life rightly directed, “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”

IV. True repentance meets with divine acceptance. “The Lord thy God will make thee plenteous rejoice over thee for good” (Deu_30:9). Sins forgiven, deliverance from enemies, restoration to lost blessings, and divine favours enjoyed: Men unfit to be forgiven, without sorrow for sin, incapable of mercy, if insensible to wrong doing, and resolved not to amend. We are only prepared for blessings ourselves and useful to others by deep personal repentance. Paul, Luther, Bunyan instances. Then are we “plenteous, prosperous in every work of our hand.”