The remembrance of the just is blessed. The bones of Joseph had been long kept if, as we may suppose, the funeral of them was only now performed. He had been dead nearly 200 years. Yet such was the affection of Israel to his memory, and obedience to his dying request, that they thought it no trouble to carry his bones about with them in all their journeys. See Genesis 1:25 ; Exodus 13:19 . read more
Sichem. Joseph had charged his brethren to take his bones with them, Genesis l. 24., and Exodus xiii. 19. Masius supposes that they were solemnly interred after the altar was erected near Sichem, and the covenant ratified, when all the people were together. Others think that they deferred doing this till the country was conquered and divided. Josue would lose no time unnecessarily in performing these last rites to the revered patriarch. --- Field. Jacob had given this field to his son. He had... read more
29-33 Joseph died in Egypt, but gave commandment concerning his bones, that they should not rest in their grave till Israel had rest in the land of promise. Notice also the death and burial of Joshua, and of Eleazar the chief priest. The most useful men, having served their generation, according to the will of God, one after another, fall asleep and see corruption. But Jesus, having spent and ended his life on earth more effectually than either Joshua or Joseph, rose from the dead, and saw no... read more
Joshua's Death and Burial v. 26. And Joshua wrote these words, the entire account of the renewal of the covenant, in the Book of the Law of God, as an addition to the law-book of Moses, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak that was by the Sanctuary of the Lord, in the space consecrated by the altars of Abraham and Jacob, Genesis 12:7; Genesis 33:20, and by the solemn service which had been held there shortly after the coming of Israel into the Land of Promise. v. 27. And... read more
2. Joshua’s Parting with the People. His Death and that of EleazarJoshua 23, 24a. The First Parting AddressJoshua 23:0α. Promise that Jehovah will still fight for his people, and help them to the complete possession of the landJoshua 23:1-111And it came to pass, a long time [many days]1 after that the Lord [Jehovah] had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed2old and stricken in age. And2 Joshua called for3 [omit: for] all Israel, and [omit: and] for their... read more
Joshua’s Last Service to His People Joshua 24:16-33 Joshua did well to discourage their proud vauntings, and to show that the people could not in their own might realize God’s ideal, Psalms 105:4 . The book of Judges is a bitter commentary on these lofty words. What the stone of witness was to Israel, the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism are to the Church and to the world. The walls of our private chambers have listened to our prayers and tears. God help us to be true to them!... read more
Here we have the record of the final address of Joshua. In it he first concisely and comprehensively traced the Hebrews' history from the call of Abraham and did so in the form of the speech of Jehovah to them. In the brief compass of eleven verses the pronoun "I" as referring to Jehovah occurs no less than seventeen times. The whole movement emphasized the truth that everything of greatness in the history of the people was the result of divine action. Then he appealed to them with a touch of... read more
‘ And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, they buried in Shechem in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of silver, and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.’ The parcel of ground that Jacob had bought (Genesis 33:19) was still recognised as belonging to him, and was identifiable. This demonstrated that there were those alive, who were descended from members of the... read more
In Shechem; not in the city of Shechem, but in a field near and belonging to it, as appears from the following words, and from Genesis 33:18, and from the ancient custom of the Israelites to have their burying-places without cities, in fields or gardens. read more
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The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Joshua 24:1-33
After Rest Joshua 20-24 THE twentieth chapter deals with the Cities of Refuge. A very beautiful expression is that "City of Refuge." Very suggestive, too. But there is a great black shadow in the middle of it: for why should men want refuge? The term is noble in itself, but what is it in its suggestion? Surely it means that there is a pursuing storm. We have heard travellers say that by making haste they will just be in time to escape the impending tempest; so they quicken their steps, and... read more