Joshua:8

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1 ,2 - When we have faithfully put away sin , that accursed thing which separates between us and God , then , and not till then , we may look to hear from God to our comfort ; and God 's directing us how to go on in our Christian work and warfare , is a good evidence of his being reconciled to us . God encouraged Joshua to proceed . At Ai the spoil was not to be destroyed as at Jericho , therefore there was no danger of the people 's committing such a trespass . Achan , who caught at forbidden spoil , lost that , and life , and all ; but the rest of the people , who kept themselves from the accursed thing , were quickly rewarded for their obedience . The way to have the comfort of what God allows us , is , to keep from what he forbids us . No man shall lose by self-denial . * Verse 3-22 - Observe Joshua 's conduct and prudence . Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease . Probably he went into the valley alone , to pray to God for a blessing , and he did not seek in vain . He never drew back till the work was done . Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies , must never draw them back . * Verse 23-29 - God , the righteous Judge , had sentenced the Canaanites for their wickedness ; the Israelites only executed his doom . None of their conduct can be drawn into an example for others . Especial reason no doubt there was for this severity to the king of Ai ; it is likely he had been notoriously wicked and vile , and a blasphemer of the God of Israel . * Verse 30-35 - As soon as Joshua got to the mountains Ebal and Gerizim , without delay , and without caring for the unsettled state of Israel , or their enemies , he confirmed the covenant of the Lord with his people , as appointed , Deuteronomy 11 ; 27 . We must not think to defer covenanting with God till we are settled in the world ; nor must any business put us from minding and pursuing the one thing needful . The way to prosper is to begin with God , Matthew strkjv @6:33 . They built an altar , and offered sacrifice to God , in token of their dedicating themselves to God , as living sacrifices to his honour , in and by a Mediator . By Christ 's sacrifice of himself for us , we have peace with God . It is a great mercy to any people to have the law of God in writing , and it is fit that the written law should be in a known tongue , that it may be seen and read of all men . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---