11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. 12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

14 And it came to pass, when the people re

p ver. 13. Is. 54. 5. Mic. 4. 13. Zech. 4. 14. 6. 5. g c. 4. 2. r ver. 15, 16. Ps. 78. 13. Deut. 31. 26. Jer. 3. 16. Heb. 9. 4.

manded them to sanctify themselves, and therefore calls them to hear the word of God, for that is the ordinary means of sanctification, John 17. 17.

15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan "overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

14 ver. 13. 1 Chr. 12. 15. Jer. 12, 5. to Ps. 114. 3. 1 Kings 4. 12. Zartanah. 1 Kings 7. 46. Zarthan, y Deut. 3. 17.

3. The people having been directed before to follow the ark, are here told that it should pass before them into Jordan, v. 11. Observe, (1.) The ark of the covenant must be their guide. During the reign of Moses, the cloud was their guide, but now, in Joshua's reign, the ark; both were visible signs of God's presence and presidency; but divine grace under the Mosaic dispensation was wrapped up as in a cloud and covered with a vail, while by Christ, our Joshua, it is revealed in the ark of the covenant unvailed. (2.) It is called the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth. "He that is your God, v. 9, in covenant with you, is the Lord of all the earth, has both right and power to command, control, use, and dispose of all nations and of all creatures. He is the Lord of all the earth, therefore he needs not you, nor can he be benefited by you; therefore it is your honour and happiness to have him in covenant with you: if he be yours, all the creatures are at your service, and, when he pleases, shall be employed for you." When we are praising and worshipping God as Israel's God, and ours through Christ, we must remember that he is the Lord of the whole earth, and reverence him and trust in him accordingly. Some observe an accent in the original, which they think directs us to translate it somewhat more emphatically, Behold the ark of the covenant, even the ark of the Lord, or even of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth. (3.) They are told that the ark should pass before them into Jordan, God would not appoint them to go any where but where he himself would go before them, and go with them; and they might safely venture, even into Jordan itself, if the ark of the covenant lead them. While we make God's precepts our rule, his promises our stay, and his providence our guide, we need not dread the greatest difficulties we may meet with in the way of duty. That promise is sure to all the seed, Is. 43. 2, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.

4. From what God was now about to do for them, he infers an assurance of what he would yet further do. This he mentions first, so much was his heart upon it, and so great a satisfaction did it give him, v. 10. "Hereby ye shall know that the living God (the true God, and God of power, not one of the dead gods of the heathen) is among you, though you see him not, nor are to have any image of him; is among you to give you law, secure your welfare, and receive your homage; is among you in this great undertaking now before you; and therefore you shall, nay, he himself will, without fail, drive out from before you the Canaanites." So that the dividing of Jordan was intended to be to them, (1.) A sure token of God's presence with them; by this they could not but know that God was among them, unless their unbelief was as obstinate against the most convincing evidence, as that of their fathers was, who, presently after God had divided the Red sea before them, impudently asked, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? Ex. 17. 7. (2.) A sure pledge of the conquest of Canaan; if the living God is among you, expelling he will expel (so the Hebrew phrase is)

5. He directs them to get twelve men ready, one of each tribe, who must be within call, to receive such orders as Joshua should afterward give them, v. 12. It does not appear that they were to attend the priests, and walk with them when they carried the ark, that they might more immediately be witnesses of the wonders done by it, as some think; but they were to be at hand for the service they were called to, ch. 4. 4, &c.

V. 14-17. Here we have a short and plain account of the dividing of the river Jordan, and the passage of the children of Israel through it. The story is not garnished with the flowers of rhetoric, gold needs not to be painted; but it tells us, in short, matter of fact.

1. That this river was now broader and deeper than usually it was at other times of the year, v. 15. The melting of the snow on the mountains of Lebanon, near which this river had its rise, was the occasion, that, at the time of harvest, barleyharvest, which was the spring of the year, Jordan overflowed all his banks. This great flood, just at that time, (which Providence might have restrained for once, or which he might have ordered them to cross at another time of the year,) very much magnified the power of God and his kindness to Israel. Note, Though the opposition given to the salvation of God's people, have all imaginable advantages, yet God can and will conquer it. Let the banks of Jordan be filled to the brink, filled till they run over, it is as easy to Omnipotence to divide them, and dry them up, as if they were never so narrow, never so shallow; it is all one with the Lord.

2. That as soon as ever the feet of the priests dipped in the brim of the water, the stream stopped immediately, as if a sluice had been made to dam it up, v. 15, 16. So that the waters above swelled, stood on a heap, and ran back, and yet, as it should seem, did not spread, but congealed; which unaccountable rising of the river was observed with amazement by those that lived upward upon it many miles off, and the remembrance of it remained among them long after; the waters on the other side this invisible dam ran down of course, and left the bottom of the river dry as far downward, it is likely, as they swelled upward. When they passed through the Red sea, the waters were a wall on either hand, here only on the right hand. Note, The God of nature can, when he pleases, change the course of nature, and alter its properties, can turn fluids into solids, waters into standing rocks, as on the contrary, rocks into standing waters, to serve his own purposes. See Ps. 114. 5, 8. What cannot God do? What will he not do for the perfecting of his people's salvation? Sometimes he cleaves the earth with rivers, Hab. 3. 9, and sometimes, as here, cleaves the rivers without earth. It is easy to imagine how, when the course of this strong and rapid stream was arrested on a sudden, the waters roared and were troubled, so that the mountains seemed to shake with the swelling thereof, Ps. 46. 3, how the floods lifted their voice, the floods lifted up their waves, while the Lord on high showed himself mightier than the noise of these many waters, Ps. 93. 3, 4. With reference to this, the prophet asks, Was the Lord displeased against the rivers, was thine anger against the rivers? Hab. 3. 8. No, Thou wentest forth for the

17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

CHAPTER IV.

This chapter gives a further account of the miraculous passage of Israel through Jordan. 1. 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, y. 1-8. II. The march of the people through Jordan's channel,

the two tribes first, then all the people, and the priests that bare 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.

AND it came to pass, when, all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones; and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place where ye shall lodge this night.

z Ex. 14. 29. a Deut. 27. 2. 6 Ex. 13. 14. Deut. 6. 20. ver. 21. Ps. 44.

salvation of thy people, v. 13. In allusion to this, it is foretold, among the great things God will do for the Gospel church in the latter days, that the great river Euphrates shall be dried up, that the way of the kings of the east may be prepared, Rev. 16. 12. When the time is come for Israel's entrance into the land of promise, all difficulties shall be conquered, mountains shall become plains, Zech. 4. 7, and rivers become dry, for the ransomed of the Lord to pass over. When we have finished our pilgrimage through this wilderness, death will be like this Jordan between us and the heavenly Canaan, but the ark of the Covenant has prepared us a way through it, it is the last enemy that shall be destroyed.

3. That the people passed over right against Jericho, which was, (1.) An instance of their boldness, and a noble defiance of their enemies; Jericho was one of the strongest cities, and yet they dared to face it at their first entrance. (2.) It was an encouragement to them to venture through Jordan, for Jericho was a goodly city, and the country about it extremely pleasant; and having that in view as their own, what difficulties could discourage them from taking possession? (3.) It would increase the confusion and terror of their enemies, who, no doubt, strictly observed their motions, and were the amazed spectators of this work of wonders.

4. That the priests stood still in the midst of Jordan while the people passed over, v. 17. There the ark was appointed to be, to show that the same power that parted the waters, kept them parted as long as there was occasion, and had not the divine presence, of which the ark was a token, been their security, the water had returned upon them and buried them. There the priests were appointed to stand still, (1.) To try their faith, whether they could venture to take their post when God assigned it them, with mountains of water over their heads: as they made a bold step when they set the first foot into Jordan, so now they made a bold stand when they tarried longest in Jordan; but they knew they carried their own protection with them. Note, Ministers in times of peril should be examples of courage and confidence in the divine goodness. (2.) It was to encourage the faith of the people that they might go triumphantly into Canaan, and fear no evil, no not in this valley of the shadow of death, (for so the divided river was) being assured of God's presence, which interposed between them and the greatest danger, between them and the proud waters, which otherwise had gone over their souls. Thus in the greatest dangers the saints are comforted with his rod and his staff, Ps. 23. 4.

NOTES TO CHAPTER IV.

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:

6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

of

7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters

Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial "unto the children of Israel for ever.

8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

1. 79. 3-8. ⚫ to-morrow.

cc. 3. 13, 16. d Num. 16. 40. Ps. III. 4. works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance, and means devised for the preserving of the memorial of them. Some of the Israelites that passed over Jordan, perhaps, were so stupid, and so little affected with this great favour of God to them, that they felt no concern to have it remembered; while others, it may be, were so much affected with it, and had such deep impressions made upon them by it, that they thought there needed no memorial of it to be erected, the heart and tongue of every Israelite in every age would be a living lasting monument of it. But God knowing their frame, and how apt they had been soon to forget his works, ordered an expedient for the keeping of this in remembrance to all generations, that those who could not, or would not, read the record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of it by the monument set up in remembrance of it, which the common tradition of the country would be an explication of; it would likewise serve to corroborate the proof of the matter of fact, and would remain a standing evidence of it to those who in afterages might question the truth of it.

A monument is to be erected, and, 1. Joshua, as chief captain, must give directions about it, v. 1, When all the people were clean passed over Jordan, not even the feeble, that were the hindmost of them, left behind, so that God had done his work completely, and every Israelite got safe into Canaan, then God spake unto Joshua, to provide materials for this monument. It is the pious conjecture of the learned Bishop Patrick, that Joshua was gone into some place of retirement, to return thanks immediately for this wonderful mercy, and then God met him, and spake thus to him. Or, perhaps, it was by Eleazar the priest, that God gave these and other instructions to Joshua, for though he is not mentioned here, yet when Joshua was ordained by the imposition of hands to this great trust, God appointed that Eleazar should ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim and at his word Joshua and all the children of Israel must go out and come in, Num. 27. 21. 2. One man out of each tribe, and he a chosen man, must be employed to prepare materials for this monument, that each tribe might have the story told them by one of themselves, and cach tribe might contribute something to the glory of God thereby, v. 2, 4, Out of every tribe a man. Not the Levites only, but every Israelite must, in his place, help to make known to the sons of men God's mighty acts, Ps. 145. 12. The two tribes, though seated already in their possession, yet sharing in the mercy, must lend a hand to the memorial of it. 3. The stones that must be set up for this memorial, are ordered to be taken out of the midst of the channel, (where, probably, there lay abundance of great stones,) and as near as might be from the very place where the priests stood with the ark, v. 3, 5. This intended monument deserved to have been made of stones curiously cut with the finest and most exquisite art, but these stones out of the bottom of the river were more natural and more apt indications of the miracle; let posterity know by this that Jordan was driven institution of signs, God always chose that which was most proper and significant, rather than that which is pompous or curious; for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world. These twelve men, after they got over Jordan, must be sent back to the place where the ark stood, being permitted to come near it, (which others might not,) for this service; pass over before the ark, v. 5, that is, "into the presence of the ark, which now stands in the midst of Jordan, and thence fetch these stones." 4. The use of these stones is here appointed for a sign, v. 6, a memorial, v. 7. They would give occasion to the children to ask their parents in time to come, How came these stones thither? Probably the land about was not stony; but the parents would inform them, as they themselves had been informed, that in this place Jordan was divided by the almighty power of God, to give Israel passage into Canaan, as Joshua enlarges on this head, v. 22, &c.

I. God gave orders for the preparing of this memorial. Had Joshua done it without divine direction, it might have looked like a design to perpetuate his own name and honour, nor would it have commanded so sacred and venerable a regard from posterity, as now when God himself appointed it. Note, God's

9 And Joshua set up twelve "stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:

e Ex. 24. 12. 28. 21. 1 Kings 18. 31. fc. 3. 13. g Num. 32. 20-29. armed. h c. 3. 7.

or, ready

II. According to these orders the thing was done. 1. Twelve stones were taken up out of the midst of Jordan, and carried in the sight of the people to the place where they had their head-quarters that night, v. 8. It is probable that the stones they took, were as big as they could well carry, and as near as might be of a size and shape. But whether they went away with them immediately to the place, or whether they stayed to attend the ark, and kept pace with the solemn procession of that, to grace its triumphant entry into Canaan, is not certain. By these stones which they were ordered to take up, God did, as it were, give them livery and seisin of this good land, it is all their own, let them enter and take possession; therefore what these twelve did, the children of Israel are said to do, v. 8, because they were the representatives of their respective tribes. In allusion to this, we may observe, that when the Lord Jesus, our Joshua, having overcome the sharpness of death, and dried up that Jordan, had opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, he appointed his twelve apostles, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, by the memorial of the Gospel to transmit the knowledge of this to remote places and future ages.

2. Other twelve stones (probably, much larger than the other, for we read not that they were each of them one man's load) were set up in the midst of Jordan, v. 9, piled up so high in a heap or pillar, as that the top of it might be seen above water, when the river was low, or seen in the water, when it was clear, or at least the noise or commotion of the water passing over it would be observable, and the bargemen would avoid it, as they do a rock; some way or other, it is likely, it was discernible so as to notify the very place where the ark stood, and to serve for a duplicate to the other monument, which was to be set up on dry land in Gilgal for the confirming of its testimony, and the preserving of its tradition. The sign being doubled, no doubt, the thing was certain.

V. 10-19. The inspired historian seems to be so well pleased with his subject here, that he is loath to quit it, and is therefore very particular in his narrative, especially in observing how closely Joshua pursued the orders God gave him, and that he did nothing without divine direction, finishing all that the Lord had commanded him, (v. 10,) which is also said to be what Moses commanded. We read not of any particular commands that Moses gave Joshua about this matter, the thing was altogether new to him. It must therefore be understood of the general instructions Moses had given him to follow the divine conduct, to deliver that to the people, which he had received of the Lord, and to take all occasions to remind them of their duty to God, as the best return for his favours to them: This which Moses, who was now dead and gone, had said to him, he had in mind at this time, and did accordingly. It is well for us to have the good instructions that have been given us, ready to us, when we have occasion for them.

1. All the people hasted and passed over, v. 10. Some understand it of the twelve men that carried the stones, but it seems rather to be meant of the body of the people; for though an account was given of their passing over, v. 1, yet here it is repeated for the sake of this circumstance, which was to be added, that they passed over in haste, either because Joshua by their officers ordered them to make haste, for it was to be but one day's work, and they must not leave a hoof behind; or, perhaps, it was their own inclination that hastened them. (1.) Some hasted, because they were not able to trust God, they were afraid the waters should return upon them, being conscious of guilt, and diffident of the divine power and goodness. (2.) Others, because they were not willing to tempt God to continue the miracle longer than needs must, nor would they put the patience of the priests that bare the ark too much to the stretch by unnecessary delay. (3.) Others, because they were eager to be in Canaan, and would thus show how much they longed after that pleasant land. (4.) Those that considered least, yet hasted because others did. He that believeth, maketh haste, not to anticipate God's counsels, but to attend them, Is. 28. 16.

2. The two tribes and a half led the van, v. 12, 13. So they had promised, when they had their lot given them on that side Jordan, Num. 32. 27. And Joshua had lately reminded them

13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.

14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

15 And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, 16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.

18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over 'all his banks, as they did before.

i Ex. 14. 31. 1 Sam. 12. 18. 1 Kings 3. 28. * Ex. 25. 16, 21. ↑ plucked up. I went. I c. 3. 15.

of their promise, ch. 1. 12-15. It was fit that they who had the first settlement, should be the first in the encounter of diffi culties, the rather, because they had not the encumbrance of families with them as the other tribes had, and they were all chosen men, and fit for service, ready armed. It was a good providence that they had so strong a body to lead them on, and would be an encouragement to the rest. And the two tribes had no reason to complain, the post of danger is the post of honour. 3. When all the people were got clear to the other side, the priests with the ark came up out of Jordan. This, one would think, should have been done of course, their own reason would tell them that now there was no more occasion for them, and yet they did not stir a step till Joshua ordered them to move, and Joshua did not order them out of Jordan till God directed him to do so, v. 15-17. So observant were they of Joshua, and he of God, which was their praise, as it was their happiness to be under such good direction. How low a condition soever God may at any time bring his priests or people to, let them patiently wait, till by his providence he shall call them up out of it, as the priests here were called to come up out of Jordan, and let them not be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, in the depth of their adversity.

4. As soon as ever the priests and the ark were come up out of Jordan, the waters of the river, which had stood on a heap, gradually flowed down according to their nature and usual course, and soon filled the channel again, v. 18. This makes it yet more evident, that the stop which had now been given to the river, was not from any secret natural cause; but purely from the power of God's presence, and for the sake of his Israel, for when Israel's turn was served, and the token of his presence was removed, immediately the water went forward again; so that if it be asked, What ailed thee, O Jordan, that thou wast driven back? it must be answered, It was purely in obedience to the God of Israel, and in kindness to the Israel of God: there is therefore none like unto the God of Jeshurun; happy also art thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people? Some observe here, by way of allusion, that when the ark and the priests that bare it are removed from any place, the floodgates are drawn up, the defence is departed, and an inundation of judgments is to be expected shortly. Those that are unchurched, will soon be undone. The glory is departed, if the ark be taken.

5. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua by all this, v. 14, On that day the Lord magnified Joshua, both by the fellowship he admitted him to with himself, speaking to him upon all occasions, and being ready to be consulted by him; and by the authority he confirmed him in, over both priests and people. Those that honour God he will honour, and when he will magnify a man, as he had said he would magnify Joshua, (ch. 3. 7,) he will do it effectually. Yet it was not for Joshua's sake only that he was thus magnified, but to put him in a capacity of doing so much the more service to Israel, for hereupon they feared him as they feared Moses. See here what is the best and surest way to command the respect of inferiors, and to gain their reverence and observance, not by blustering and threatening, and carrying it with a high hand, but by holiness and love, and all possible indications of a constant regard to their welfare, and to God's will and honour. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it to appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them. Those that are sanctified are truly magnified, and are worthy of double honour. Favourites of heaven should be looked on with awe.

6. An account is kept of the time of this great event, v. 19, it was on the tenth day of the first month, just forty years since they came out of Egypt, wanting five days. God had said in his wrath that they should wander forty years in the wilderness, but to make up that forty we must take in the first year, which was then past, and had been a year of triumph in their deliverance out of Egypt, and this last, which had been a year of triumph likewise on the other side Jordan, so that all the forty were not years of sorrow; and at last he brought them into Canaan five days before the forty years were ended, to show how little pleasure God takes in punishing, how swift he is to

19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.

21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When "your children shall ask their fathers *in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were

gone over:

24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty; that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever. m ver. 8. n ver. 6. ⚫ to-morro10. o c. 3. 17. p Ex. 14. 21. q 1 Kings 8. 42, 43. 2 Kings 19. 19. Ps. 106. 8. Jer. 10. 6, 7. Dan. 4. 34, 35.

CHAPTER V.

Israel is now got over Jordan, and the waters which had opened before them to favour their inarch 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 Cap tain of the Lord's host himself appeared to Joshua, to animate and direct him,

v. 13-15.

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 tall days. a Num. 13. 29. b Ex. 15. 14, 15. c c. 2. 9, 11. Ps. 48. 6. Ez. 21. 7. d 1 Kings 10, 5.

V. 20-24. The twelve stones which were laid down in Gilgal, v. 8, are here set up either one upon another, yet so as that they might be distinctly counted, or one by another in rows; for after they were fixed, they are not called a heap of stones, but these stones.

I. It is here taken for granted, that posterity would inquire into the meaning of them, supposing them intended for a memorial. Your children shall ask their fathers, (for whom else should they ask?) What mean these stones? Note, Those that will be wise when they are old, must be inquisitive when they are young. Our Lord Jesus, though he had in himself the fulness of knowledge, has by his example taught children and young people to hear and 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, today, and for ever. (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

NOTES TO CHAPTER V.

V.1-9. 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 wilderness, is now come up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved, and looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners: how terrible she was in the eyes of her enemies, we are here told, v. 1; how fair and clear she was made in the eyes of her friends, by the rolling away of the reproach of Egypt, we are told in the following verses.

I. Here is the fright which the Canaanites were put into by their miraculous passing over Jordan, v. 1. The news of it was soon dispersed all the country over, not only as a prodigy in itself, but as an alarm to all the kings and kingdoms of Canaan. Now, as when Babylon was taken, One post runs to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to carry the amazing tidings to every corner of their land, Jer. 51. 31. And here we are told what impressions the tidings made upon the kings of this land, their heart melted like wax before the fire, neither was there spirit in them any more. This intimates that though the heart of the people generally had fainted before, as Rahab owned, ch. 2. 9, yet the kings had till now kept up their spirits pretty well, had promised themselves that, being in possession, their country populous, and their cities fortified, they should be able to make their part good against the invaders; but when they heard, not only that they were come over Jordan, and that that defence of their country was broken through, but that they were come over by a miracle, the God of nature manifestly fighting for them, their hearts failed them too, they gave up the cause for gone, and were now at their wits' end. And, 1. They had reason enough to be afraid; Israel itself was a formidable body, and much more so when God was its head, a God of almighty power. What can make head against them, if Jordan be driven back before them? 2. God impressed these fears upon them, and dispirited them, as he had promised. Ex. 23. 27, I will send my fear before thee. God can make the wicked to fear where no fear is, Ps. 53. 5, much more where there is such cause for fear as was here. He that made the soul, can, when he pleases, make his sword thus to approach to it and kill it with his terrors. II. The opportunity which this gave to the Israelites to circumcise those among them that were uncircumcised, At that time, (v. 2,) when the country about them was in that great consternation, God ordered Joshua to circumcise the children of Israel, for at that time it might be done with safety even in an enemy's country; their hearts being melted, their hands were tied, that they could not take this advantage against them as Simeon and Levi did against the Shechemites, to come upon them when they were sore. Joshua could not be sure of this, and therefore if he had ordered this general circumcision just at this time of his own head, he might justly have been censured as imprudent, for how good soever the thing was in itself, in the eye of reason it was not seasonable at this time, and might have been of dangerous consequence; but when God commanded him to do it, he must not consult with flesh and blood: he that bid them do it, no doubt, would protect them and bear them out in it. Now observe,

1. The occasion there was for this general circumcision. (1.) All that came out of Egypt were circumcised, v. 5. While they had peace in Egypt, doubtless, they circumcised their children the eighth day, according to the law. But after they began to be oppressed, especially when the edict was made for the destruction of their male infants, the administration of this ordinance was interrupted; many of them were uncircumcised, of