Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Joshua
Book: Joshua
Chapter: 18
Overview:
The
Tabernacle set up at
Shiloh.
(1) The remainder of the land
described and divided.
(2-10) The boundaries of
Benjamin.
(11-28)
1 Shiloh was in the
Lot of
Ephraim, the
Tribe to which
Joshua
belonged, and it was proper that the
Tabernacle should be near
the residence of the chief
Governor. The name of this
City is
the same as that
By which
Jacob prophesied of the
Messiah, Ge
49:10. It is supposed
By some that the
City was thus called,
when it was
Chosen for the resting-place of the
Ark, which
typified our great Peace-maker, and the way
By him to a
reconciled
God.
2-10 After a
Year or more,
Joshua blamed their slackness, and
told them how to proceed.
God,
By his
Grace, has given us a
title to a good land, the heavenly
Canaan, but we are slack to
take possession of it; we enter not into that
Rest, as we might
By Faith, and
Hope, and holy joy. How long shall it be thus with
us? How long shall we thus stand in our own
Light, and forsake
our own mercies for lying vanities?
Joshua stirs the Israelites
up to take possession of their lots. He is ready to do his part,
if they will do theirs.
11-28 The boundaries of each portion were distinctly drawn, and
the inheritance of each
Tribe settled. All contests and selfish
claims were prevented
By the
Wise appointment of
God, who
allotted the
Hill and the
Valley, the
Corn and pasture, the
brooks and rivers, the towns and cities. Is the
Lot of any
servant of
Christ cast in affliction and sorrow? It is the
Lord;
let him do what seemeth him good. Are we in prosperity and
peace? It is from above. Be humbled when you compare the
Gift
with your own unworthiness. Forget not Him that gave the good,
and always be ready to resign it at his command.