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Matthew Henry on Joshua 1:16-18
The people of Israel engage to obey Joshua; All that thou commandest us to do we will readily do, without murmuring or disputing, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go. The best we can ask of God for our magistra…
The Reubenites' Answer. (b. c. 1451.)
THE REUBENITES' ANSWER. (B. C. 1451.) This answer was given not by the two tribes and a half only (though they are spoken of immediately before), but by the officers of all the people (Joshua 1:10), as their representat…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 2:1-7
Faith in God's promises ought not to do away, but to encourage our diligence in the use of proper means. The providence of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that would be true to…
The Two Spies and Rahab. (b. c. 1451.)
THE TWO SPIES AND RAHAB. (B. C. 1451.) In these verses we have, I. The prudence of Joshua, in sending spies to observe this important pass, which was likely to be disputed at the entrance of Israel into Canaan (Joshua 2…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 2:8-21
Rahab had heard of the miracles the Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threatenings take effect; and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to him, a…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 2:8-21
The matter is here settled between Rahab and the spies respecting the service she was now to do for them, and the favour they were afterwards to show to her. She secures them on condition that they should secure her. I.…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 2:22-24
The report the spies brought was encouraging. All the people of the country faint because of Israel; they have neither wisdom to yield, nor courage to fight. Those terrors of conscience, and that sense of Divine wrath,…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 2:22-24
We have here the safe return of the spies Joshua had sent, and the great encouragement they brought with them to Israel to proceed in their descent upon Canaan. Had they been disposed to discourage the people, as the ev…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 3:1-6
The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it. In the way of duty, let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his early ri…
Preparation for Passing over the Jordan. (b. c. 1451.)
PREPARATION FOR PASSING OVER THE JORDAN. (B. C. 1451.) Rahab, in mentioning to the spies the drying up of the Red Sea (Joshua 2:10), the report of which terrified the Canaanites more than anything else, intimates that t…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 3:7-13
The waters of Jordan shall be cut off. This must be done in such a way as never was done, but in the dividing of the Red sea. That miracle is here repeated; God has the same power to finish the salvation of his people,…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 3:7-13
We may observe here how God honours Joshua, and by this wondrous work he is about to do designs to make Israel know that he is their governor, and then how Joshua honours God and endeavours by it to make Israel know tha…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 3:14-17
Jordan overflowed all its banks. This magnified the power of God, and his kindness to Israel. Although those who oppose the salvation of God's people have all advantages, yet God can and will conquer. This passage over…
The Passage over the Jordan. (b. c. 1451.)
THE PASSAGE OVER THE JORDAN. (B. C. 1451.) 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…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 4:1-9
The works of the Lord are so worthy of rememberance, and the heart of man is so prone to forget them, that various methods are needful to refresh our memories, for the glory of God, our advantage, and that of our childr…
The Passage over the Jordan. (b. c. 1451.)
THE PASSAGE OVER THE JORDAN. (B. C. 1451.) We may well imagine how busy Joshua and all the men of war were while they were passing over Jordan, when besides their own marching into an enemy's country, and in the face of…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 4:10-19
The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. No…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 4:10-19
The inspired historian seems to be so well pleased with his subject here that he is loth to quit it, and is therefore very particular in his narrative, especially in observing how closely Joshua pursued the orders God g…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 4:20-24
It is the duty of parents to tell their children betimes of the words and works of God, that they may be trained up in the way they should go. In all the instruction parents give their children, they should teach them t…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 4:20-24
The twelve stones which were laid down in Gilgal (Joshua 4:8) 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 c…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 5:1-9
How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked; nor can words express the anguish of the…
The Circumcision of the Israelites. (b. c. 1451.)
THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1451.) 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…
Matthew Henry on Joshua 5:10-12
A solemn passover was kept, at the time appointed by the law, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when they went up to keep the feasts, the…
The Ceasing of the Manna. (b. c. 1451.)
THE CEASING OF THE MANNA. (B. C. 1451.) We may well imagine that the people of Canaan were astonished, and that when they observed the motions of the enemy they could not but think them very strange. When soldiers take…