Chapter 22:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Deuteronomy Judges
Joshua 22
Concise Complete
Reuben and Gad, with the half tribe of Manasseh,
dismissed to their homes. (1-9) They build an altar of testimony, The
congregation offended thereat. (10-20) The answer of the Reubenites. (21-29) The
children of Israel satisfied. (30-34)
Verses 1-9 Joshua
dismisses the tribes with good counsel. Those who have the commandment have it
in vain, unless they do the commandment; and it will not be done aright unless
we take diligent heed. In particular to love the Lord our God, as the best of
beings, and the best of friends; and as far as that principle rules in the
heart, there will be constant care and endeavour to walk in his ways, even those
that are narrow and up-hill. In every instance to keep his commandments. At all
times, and in all conditions, with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord, and
to serve him and his kingdom among men, with all our heart, and with all our
soul. This good counsel is given to all; may God give us grace to take it!
Verses 10-20
Here is the care of the separated tribes to keep their hold of Canaan's
religion. At first sight it seemed a design to set up an altar against the altar
at Shiloh. God is jealous for his own institutions; we should be so too, and
afraid of every thing that looks like, or leads to idolatry. Corruptions in
religion are best dealt with at first. But their prudence in following up this
zealous resolution is no less commendable. Many an unhappy strife would be
prevented, or soon made up, by inquiries into the matter of the offence. The
remembrance of great sins committed formerly, should engage us to stand on our
guard against the beginnings of sin; for the way of sin is down-hill. We are all
concerned to reprove our neighbour when he does amiss, lest we suffer sin upon
him,
leviticus
19:17. The offer made that they should be welcome to come to the land where
the Lord's tabernacle was, and settle there, was in the spirit of true
Israelites.
Verses 21-29 The
tribes took the reproofs of their brethren in good part. With solemnity and
meekness they proceeded to give all the satisfaction in their power. Reverence
of God is expressed in the form of their appeal. This brief confession of faith
would remove their brethren's suspicion that they intended to worship other
gods. Let us always speak of God with seriousness, and mention his name with a
solemn pause. Those who make appeals to Heaven with a careless "God knows," take
his name in vain: it is very unlike this. They express great confidence of their
own uprightness in the matter of their appeal. "God knows it," for he is
perfectly acquainted with the thoughts and intents of the heart. In every thing
we do in religion, it highly concerns us to approve ourselves to God,
remembering that he knows the heart. And if our sincerity be known to God, we
should study likewise to let others know it by its fruits, especially those who,
though they mistake us, show zeal for the glory of God. They disdained the
design of which they were suspected to be guilty, and fully explained their true
intent in building this altar. Those who have found the comfort and benefit of
God's ordinances, cannot but desire to preserve them to their seed, and to use
all possible care that their children may be looked upon as having a part in
him. Christ is the great Altar that sanctifies every gift; the best evidence of
our interest in him is the work of his Spirit in our hearts.
Verses 30-34 It
is well that there was on both sides a disposition to peace, as there was a zeal
for God; for quarrels about religion, for want of wisdom and love, often prove
the most fierce and difficult to be made up. Proud and peevish spirits, when
they have passed any unjust blame on their brethren, though full evidence be
brought of its unfairness, can by no means be persuaded to withdraw it. But
Israel was not so prejudiced. They looked upon their brethren's innocence as a
token of God's presence. Our brethren's zeal for the power of godliness, and
faith and love, notwithstanding the fears of their breaking the unity of the
church, are things of which we should be very glad to be satisfied. The altar
was called ED, a witness. It was a witness of their care to keep their religion
pure and entire, and would witness against their descendants, if they should
turn from following after the Lord. Happy will it be when all professed
Christians learn to copy the example of Israel, to unite zeal and steady
adherence to the cause of truth, with candour, meekness, and readiness to
understand each other, to explain and to be satisfied with the explanations of
their brethren. May the Lord increase the number of those who endeavour to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace! may increasing grace and
consolation be with all who love Jesus Christ in sincerity!
Chapter 22:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Deuteronomy Judges
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
