---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Joshua 23:1. A long time after that the Lord had given rest — This is supposed to have been in the last or one hundred and tenth year of the life of"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/joshua/23"
---

Verse [Joshua 23:1](../../../kjv/joshua/23/1). ***A long time after that the Lord had given rest*** — This is supposed to have been in the last or one hundred and tenth year of the life of Joshua, about thirteen or fourteen years after the conquest of Canaan, and *seven* after the division of the land among the tribes.

Verse [Joshua 23:2](../../../kjv/joshua/23/2). ***Joshua called for all Israel*** — There are four degrees of civil distinction mentioned here:
1. זקנים zekenim, the *elders* or *senate*, the PRINCES of the *tribes*.
2. ראשים rashim or *rashey aboth*, the CHIEFS or HEADS of *families*.
3. שפטים shophetim, the JUDGES who interpreted and decided according to the law.
4. שטרים shoterim, the OFFICERS, *serjeants*, c., who executed the decisions of the judges.
Whether this assembly was held at *Timnath-serah*, where Joshua lived, or at *Shiloh*, where the ark was, or at *Shechem*, as in [Joshua 24:1](../../../kjv/joshua/24/1), we cannot tell. Some think that the meaning here, and that mentioned in [Joshua 24:1](../../../kjv/joshua/24/1), were the same, and if so, *Shechem* was the place of assembling but it is more likely that the two chapters treat of two distinct assemblies, whether held at the same place or not.

Verse [Joshua 23:3](../../../kjv/joshua/23/3). ***For the Lord your God*****is*****he that hath fought for you.*** — There is much both of *piety* and *modesty* in this address. It was natural for the Israelites to look on their veteran, worn-out general, who had led them on from conquest to conquest, with profound respect; and to be ready to say, "Had we not had such a commander, we had never got possession of this good land." Joshua corrects this opinion, and shows them that all their enemies had been defeated, because the Lord their God had fought for them. That the battle was the Lord's, and not his; and that God *alone* should have the glory.

Verse [Joshua 23:4](../../../kjv/joshua/23/4). ***I have divided - these nations that remain*** — The whole of the promised land had been portioned out, as well those parts which had not yet been conquered, as those from which the ancient inhabitants had been expelled. The Canaanitish armies had long ago been broken in pieces, so that they could make no head against the Israelites, but in many districts the old inhabitants remained, more through the supineness of the Israelites, than through their own bravery.
***From Jordan - unto the great sea*** — All the land that lay between the river *Jordan*, from *Phiala*, where it rose, to the southern extremity of the *Dead Sea*, and to the *Mediterranean Sea*, through the whole extent of its coast, opposite to Jordan.

Verse [Joshua 23:5](../../../kjv/joshua/23/5). ***And drive them - out - and ye shall possess*** — The same Hebrew word ירש *yarash* is used here to signify to *expel from an* *inheritance*, and to *succeed* those thus expelled. *Ye shall* disinherit *them from your sight, and ye shall* inherit *their land*.

Verse [Joshua 23:6](../../../kjv/joshua/23/6). ***Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do, &c.*** — It requires no small courage to keep a sound *creed* in the midst of *scoffers*, and not less to maintain a godly *practice* among the *profane* and *profligate*.
***That is written in the book*** — By the word of God alone his followers are bound. Nothing is to be received as an article of *faith* which God has *not* spoken.

Verse [Joshua 23:7](../../../kjv/joshua/23/7). ***Come not among these nations*** — Have no civil or social contracts with them, (see [Joshua 23:12](../../../kjv/joshua/23/12)), as these will infallibly lead to *spiritual* affinities, in consequence of which ye will make honourable *mention of the name of their gods, swear by them* as the judges of your motives and actions, *serve them* in their abominable rites, and *bow yourselves unto them* as your creators and preservers; thus giving the whole worship of God to idols: and all this will follow from simply *coming among them*. He who *walks* in the counsel of the ungodly will soon *stand* in the way of *sinners*, and shortly *sit* in the seat of the *scornful*. *Nemo repente fuit* *turpissimus*. "No man rises to the highest stages of iniquity but by *degrees*." NERO himself, under the instructions of *Seneca*, was a promising *youth*.

Verse [Joshua 23:10](../../../kjv/joshua/23/10). ***One man of you shall chase a thousand*** — Do not remain inactive on the supposition that you must be much more numerous before you can drive out your enemies, for it is the Lord that shall drive out nations great and strong; and under his direction and influence *one of you shall chase a thousand*.

Verse [Joshua 23:11](../../../kjv/joshua/23/11). ***Take good heed - unto yourselves that ye love the Lord*** — לנפשתיכם *lenaphshotheychem, Take heed* TO YOUR SOULS, literally; but נפש *nephesh* and [Arabic] *nefs*, both in *Hebrew* and *Arabic*, signify the *whole self*, as well as *soul* and *life*; both soul and body must be joined in this work, for it is written, *Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind,* *and strength*.

Verse [Joshua 23:12](../../../kjv/joshua/23/12). ***Else if ye do - go back*** — The soldier who draws back when going to meet the enemy, forfeits his life. These were the Lord's soldiers, and if they drew back they drew back unto *perdition*, their lives being forfeited by their infidelity.

Verse [Joshua 23:13](../../../kjv/joshua/23/13). ***They shall be snares*** — לפח *lephach*, a *net* or *gin,* set by the artful fowler to catch heedless birds.
***And traps*** — מוקש *mokesh*, any snare, toil, or trap, placed on the ground to catch the unwary traveller or wild beast by the foot.
***Scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes*** — Nothing can be conceived more vexatious and distressing than a continual *goad* in the *side*, or *thorn* in the *eye*. They will *drive* you into obedience to their false gods, *and put out the eyes of your* *understandings* by their idolatries. And God will preserve them merely to distress and punish you.

Verse [Joshua 23:14](../../../kjv/joshua/23/14). ***The way of all the earth*** — I am about to die; I am going into the grave.
***Not one thing hath failed, &c.*** — God had so remarkably and literally fulfilled his promises, that not one of his enemies could state that even the smallest of them had not had its most literal accomplishment: this all Israel could testify.

Verse [Joshua 23:15](../../../kjv/joshua/23/15). ***So shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things*** — His faithfulness in fulfilling his *promises* is a proof that he will as faithfully accomplish his *threatenings*, for the veracity of God is equally pledged for both.

Verse [Joshua 23:16](../../../kjv/joshua/23/16). ***Ye shall perish quickly from off the good land*** — The following note from Mr. John Trapp is very judicious: "This judgment Joshua inculcates [Joshua 23:13](../../../kjv/joshua/23/13); [Joshua 23:15](../../../kjv/joshua/23/15), and here, because he knew it would be a very grievous thing to them to forego so goodly a land, so lately gotten, and so short a while enjoyed. In the beginning of a speech ταηθη, the *milder affections*, suit best; but towards the end ταπαθη, *passionate* and *piercing passages*; according to the orator. This rule Joshua observes, being *Ex* *utroque Caesar*; no less an *orator* than a *warrior*."
In all this exhortation we see how closely Joshua copies the example of his great master Moses. See [Leviticus 26:7-8](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/7-8); [Leviticus 26:14](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/14), c. [Deuteronomy 28:7](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/7); [Deuteronomy 32:30](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/30). He was tenderly concerned for the welfare of the people, and with a deeply affected heart he spoke to their hearts. No people ever were more fairly and fully warned, and no people profited less by it. The threatenings pronounced here were accomplished in the Babylonish captivity, but more fully in their general dispersion since the crucifixion of our Lord. And should not every *Christian* fear when he reads, *If God spared not the* *natural branches, take heed that he spare not thee*? Surely a worldly, carnal, and godless *Christian* has no more reason to expect indulgence from the justice of God than a profligate *Jew*. We have a goodly land, but the justice of God can decree a captivity from it, or a state of bondage in it. The privileges that are abused are thereby forfeited. And this is as applicable to the individual as to the whole system.

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