Joshua 7

Joshua 7:1

CHildren of Israel] That is, one member of that body; who being in communion with them, his particular sin was occasion that a judgement fell upon them all, till by diligent examination, and inflicting just punishment, the sin was purged, 5: 12.

accursed thing] In taking that which was devoted to God, and not to be turned to any private use, contrary to his expresse command. See Chap. 6. 18, 19.

Achan] Who, 1 Chronicles 2:7. is called Achar, 1: e. destroyer.

Joshua 7:2

Ai] This city lay on a hill three leagues from Jericho, westward, which fell afterwards to the share of the tribe of Benjamin. There were two cities of this name; this of the Amorites, which was the greater; the other in the tribe of Gad, which the Amonites had taken, and is prophesied against, Jeremiah 49:3.

Goup] To wit, from the plains of Jericho, to the mountainous places of the countrey.

Joshua 7:5

Shebarim] Heb. a place of breakings: so called, it seemeth, because the army of Israel was there broken and discomfited.

Joshua 7:6

rent his clothes] To signifie the rending of his heart with grief and anguish. See Gen. 37. 29, 34. not for that small defeat, but because it was a signe of Gods wrath, seeing he prospered not their expedition according to former promises, which might discourage the people, and make them faint-hearted, as v 5.

before the ark] In these difficulties fleeing unto God, as his onely refuge, for counsell and direction. See Chap. 9. 14.

put dust] A ceremony used in great mournings. So 1 Samuel 4:12. 2 Samuel 13:19. Nehemiah 9:1. Job 2:12.

Joshua 7:7

would to God] In this wish Joshu’s faith, through humane frailty, fainteth, in apprehending Gods promises; yet his intention is good, namely, That he had rather have rested content with a strait habitation for so great a people on the other side Jordan, then that by this accident Gods Name should be exposed to obloquie, and the blasphemies of the nations.

Joshua 7:8

what shall I say] What shall I answer to those who on this occasion will detract from thy power and glory?

Joshua 7:9

what will thou do] 1: e. How wilt thou preserve the glory of thy Name, when these nations shall say that thou wantest power to protect thy people, and hast failed in thy promises? So Ex. 32. 12. Numbers 14:13.

Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned] See 5: 1.

Joshua 7:12

were accursed] Have a judgement lying upon them, occasioned by such a sin, as before, 5: 1.

the accursed] 1: o. The man who committed the fact about the accursed thing, and so himself is become accursed, and all his, with the contagion of his sin: 1: e. not onely Achan himself, but also all his family and goods, as being in the same sin. So 5: 24.

Joshua 7:13

sanctifie the people] See Chap. 3. 5. that is, Prepare them to appeare before God, that the offender may be discovered and punished, and so the people may be freed from punishment of his sin.

Joshua 7:14

Lord taketh] That is, apprehendeth by lot, which is at his disposing, Proverbs 16:33. See 1 Samuel 14:41. Jon. 1. 7.

Joshua 7:15

shall be burnt] As the accursed thing ought to have been, according to the Law, Deut. 13. 15, 16. namely, after he is first stoned, which was the punishment appointed for blasphemers and presumptuous offenders by the law, Lev. 24. 13. Num. 15. 30, 35.

fully in Israel] A base, foolish and sinfull deed. So Genesis 34:7. Judges 20:6. 2 Samuel 13:13.

he and all that he hath] Not onely the accursed things, but his sons, daughters, oxen, asses, &c. This was a most severe punishment, but yet just, because God appointed it, whose judgements are always righteous, Genesis 18:25. Jeremiah 12:1. though often unsearchable, and above our reason: which may appear, whether we respect God, who appointed this punishment; for first, he is supreme LORD of all, and may do with his what he will; and his will is the rule of justice, yea justice it self. Secondly, we owe our lives to God, and deserve death by the first sin, and all that followed it, and God may justly require his debt, when and in what manner he pleaseth. Thirdly, he had infected all he had with the contagion of his sin, and so made them liable to his punishment. Secondly, just in respect of Joshua and the people, who executed it: First, because God commanded it.

Secondly, because he had endangered the whole camp to destruction, who were not directly guilty of his fact. Thirdly, because he had exposed six and thirty men to the slaughter, who were innocent of his sin, though by their own sins known to God they might deserve their death; and therefore all his were executed with him justly by the same reason, though they were not knowingly guilty of his fact, that they might be examples unto others, to deter them from the like transgressions and sinnes.

Joshua 7:17

family of Judah] That is, every family of the tribe of Judah.

man by man] Hebr. by the men 1: e. according to the housholds of their fathers, and not every one by the poll, as appeareth, 5: 18.

Joshua 7:19

give glory]ie. Seeing God is both thy accuser and judge, whose knowledge thou canst not avoid, nor decline his judgement, confesse the truth in an humble and penitent manner, that hereby God may be glorified.

Joshua 7:21

under it] 1: e. Under the Babylonish garment.

Joshua 7:23

before the Lord] Before the tabernacle, in which the ark was the sacred signe of Gods presence.

Joshua 7:24

the son]ie. The nephew of Zerah. See 5: 1.

Achor] 1: e. Of trouble, so called, by reason of this accident, ver. 26.

Joshua 7:25

stoned him] together with all his family.

Joshua 7:26

a heap of stones] As they used to do over them that died ignominiously, Joshua 8:29. 2 Samuel 18:17.

Achor] Of trouble, because all Israel was troubled here with Achans sacriledge, and himself and all his, by this dreadfull punishment inflicted on them, Hosea 2:15. Isaiah 65:10.