it of whatever kind it may. Let our merchandise and our hire be holiness to the Lord. Let us learn from the whole,

2. That blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. In what lofty strains does Moses describe the happiness of Israel, because they were near God; God is not ours in the same manner as he was theirs; but we enter into the best of their privileges. He is our father in Christ Jesus; he blesses us with spiritual blessings ; he is our support and defence. All the fruitfulness and security of our country is owing to him; that we dwell safely and peaceably, is all to be ascribed to God. But our spiritual blessings render us truly happy, if we know how to improve them. Remember, Israel lost their good land, and all their blessings, by disobedience. Let us, therefore, carefully attend to the apostle's caution, Be not high minded, but fear.

CHAP. XXXIV.

death, burial, and age of Moses, It is uncertain by whom it was but Dan was not called by that more probable that it was added

This chapter gives an account of the
and several other particulars.
written } some say by Joshua ;
name, till after his time. It is
by Samuel, or some other of the sacred writers.

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ND Moses went up from the plains of Moab, where Israel was encamped, unto the mountain of Nebo, the highest hill of that ridge of mountains called Abarim, to the top of Pisgah, that [is] over against Jericho, to Pisgah, which was the point or summit of that hill. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, by a miraculous power strengthening his sight, or making a clear representation of all 2 those parts to his view, And all Naphtali, to the north, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, in the middle of the country, and all the land of Judah, that lay southwest, unto the utmost 3 sea, or the Mediterranean, And the south, the wilderness that lay south of Judea, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar, called so, because of many fragrant trees and shrubs that grew about it: the whole country was about one hundred and fifty miles long, and near seventy miles over in most places, God, no doubt, gave him such a view and description of the country, as illustrated and confirmed the prophetic blessing he had given, And the LORD said unto him, This [is] the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see [it] with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD,

as the Lord had foretold and determined ke should, because of his 6 transgression. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor : but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. God, by the ministration of his Son, or his angels, buried him in some filace that Israel knew not, to pre3 vent their superstition and idolatry in paying any undue regard 7 to his remains, Jude 9. And Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated; his imagination and natural powers were as strong as ever, and the splendour of his countenance con8 tinued to the last. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, which was the usual time for all persons of eminence; so the days of weeping [and] mourn9 ing for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. Moses had nominated him before his death, and God had qualified him for the supreme government of Israel, by a spirit of wisdom, courage, and resolution; and the people hearkened to him as they 10 had done to Moses. Then follows the character of Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face; conversing familiarly 11 with him, without dreams or visions; In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; that 12 is, there was none like him in miraculous works, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel, doing all kis great and terrible works openly, not in a corner. Thus endeth the Pentateuch, containing the history of two thousand five hundred and fifty two years and a half, (according to the best chronologers) from the crea ion of the world, to the death of Moses.

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REFLECTIONS.

OOD men, after the example of Moses, should be willing to die when God pleases. Moses was healthy and vigorous, capable of many services; and Israel needed him : though he died in his full strength, he died cheerfully. Nothing passed upon this occasion between God and Moses, but, Go up, and die as a father commands his obedient children to retire to rest. Good men that have walked with God here, and by faith have seen the good land before them, the happiness of heaven, may cheerfully die. God will be with them, receive their immortal spirits, and take care of their sleeping dust, as he did of the body of Moses. Let us be willing then to quit our most

pleasing prospects in this world, and forego those services we might do, that we may defiart in peace, and see God's great sal

vation.

2. The removal of wise and good men, especially of governors and ministers, in the vigour of their days, should be seriously lamented; Moses stood in both these characters to Israel. Considering how gently and tenderly he had led them ; how often he had saved them by his intercession, and led them like a father, it is no wonder he was bewailed, and that by some, who were perhaps rebellious before. Considering what a loss the world and church sustain by the removal of such men, their death should be lamented. The greater regard we have for the honour of God, and the interest of religion, the more concerned we shall be when useful and good men are taken away.

3. It is a great comfort, when faithful ministers are removed, that others are left to succeed them. Though the prophets do not live for ever, the word of God does; and there will always be a succession of faithful men to dispense it. Joshua, who came in Moses' stead, had much of his spirit; and was happy in having the favour of God, and the affections of the people. It is a great mercy that God raises up faithful pastors, and that his people are not as sheep without a shepherd. Let us rejoice in this, and continually pray that God would send more faithful labourers into his harvest.

4. Let us learn from the whole history of Moses, and especially from his death, how great our happiness is in having Christ for our prince and commander. Moses was faithful as a servant, Christ as a Son. Moses was familiar with God, but Christ was more so; he was in his bosom, intimately acquainted with him and his will. He did superior miracles, signs, and wonders; his character was more perfect; he introduced a better revelation; he was without blemish, and without spot. Moses died, and was buried, and saw corruption; but Christ did not God would not suffer his holy one to see corruption. He lives again, and lives for ever. He is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. He has no successor, as Moses had, for his dominion shall continue till the consummation of all things. He is for ever sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He will bring all his faithful people to the heavenly Canaan, and complete all the divine purposes of love and grace to them. Let us rejoice then in Christ Jesus; be thankful for this unspeakable gift; and consider ourselves as under the highest obligations to be obedient to all his requisitions, and wait for his salvation. Amen.

INTRODUCTION.

THE former Books give an account of the gathering the Israelites as a people, their charters, laws, and institutes; this is prop erly an history of the Jewish nation. It is a Book worthy our highest regard, as it is very ancient, and undoubtedly authentic. It is called The Book of Joshua, because it contains an history of his acts, government, conquests, dividing the land, and settling the state of Israel; the greatest part of which might be written by himself, though additions have been made by some succeeding writer. It contains the history of somewhat more than seventeen years.

CHAP. I.

In this chapter we have a fresh commission and encouragement giv. en to Joshua, and directions for his own personal conduct. He begins to execute his orders, and the people profess their allegiance and readiness to comply with them.

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OW after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, when the days of mourning for him were ended, during which they had time to reflect on their conduct to him, it came to pass, that the LORD spake out of the sanctuary unto Joshua the son of Nun, who was Moses' minister, and had continually attended upon him for twenty years together, and knew his 2 method of government, saying, Moses my faithful servant is dead; now, therefore, arise, be not cast down or discouraged, but exert thyself with vigour, and go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, am now about to give them possession of, [even] to the children of Israel.

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Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Now 4 the extent of country which God gave them was From the wilderness south, and this Lebanon north, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, which lay northeast, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea, the Mediterranean, in the west, toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. They were now in the east part; they never had the possession of all this country, but in the times of David and Solomon it was 5 tributary to them. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] VOL. II.

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