Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Joshua
Book: Joshua
Chapter: 5
Overview:
The
Canaanites are afraid,
Circumcision renewed.
(1-9) The
Passover at
Gilgal, The
Manna ceases.
(10-12) The
Captain of the
Lord's
Host appears to
Joshua.
(13-15)
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 their feelings, or the
greatness of their terror. Oh that they would now take warning,
and before it be too late, flee for
Refuge to lay
Hold upon that
Hope set before them in the
Gospel!
God impressed these fears
On
the
Canaanites, and dispirited them. This gave a short
Rest to
the Israelites, and
Circumcision rolled away the reproach of
Egypt. They were hereby owned to be the free-born children of
God, having the
Seal of the
Covenant. When
God glorifies himself
in perfecting the
Salvation of his people, he not only silences
all enemies, but rolls back their reproaches upon themselves.
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, their land should be under the
special protection of the Divine
Providence, Ex 34:24. Notice
is taken of the ceasing of the
Manna as soon as they had eaten
the old
Corn of the land. For as it came just when they needed,
So it continued as long as they needed it. This teaches us not
to expect supplies
By miracles, when they may be had in a common
way. The
Word and ordinances of
God are spiritual
Manna, with
which
God nourishes his people in this
Wilderness. Though often
forfeited, yet they are continued while we are here; but when we
come to the heavenly
Canaan, this
Manna will cease, for we shall
No longer need it.
13-15 We read not of any appearance of
God's
Glory to
Joshua
till now. There appeared to him one as a
Man to be noticed. This
Man was the
Son of God, the eternal
Word.
Joshua gave him Divine
honours: he received them, which a created
Angel would not have
done, and he is called
Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To
Abraham he
appeared as a traveller; to
Joshua as a
Man of
War.
Christ will
be to his people what their
Faith needs.
Christ had his
Sword
drawn, which encouraged
Joshua to carry
On the
War with vigour.
Christ's
Sword drawn in his
Hand, denotes how ready he is for
the defence and
Salvation of his people. His
Sword turns every
way.
Joshua will know whether he is a friend or a foe. The cause
between the Israelites and
Canaanites, between
Christ and
Beelzebub, will not admit of any
Man's refusing to take one part
or the other, as he may do in worldly contests.
Joshua's inquiry
shows an
Earnest desire to know the will of
Christ, and a
cheerful readiness and resolution to do it. All true Christians
must fight under
Christ's
Banner, and they will conquer
By his
presence and assistance.