the head-quarters, v. 2. and the land was begun to be divided before they removed from Gilgal, ch. 14. 6.
It is probable that this army of Reubenites and Gadites, which had led the van in all the wars of Canaan, had sometimes, in the intervals of action, and when the rest of the army retired into winter-quarters, some of them, at least, made a step over Jordan, for it was not far, to visit their families, and to look after their private affairs, and perhaps tarried at home, and sent others in their room more serviceable; but still these two tribes and a half had their quota of troops ready, forty thousand in all, which, whenever there was occasion, rendered themselves at their respective posts, and now attended in a body to receive their discharge. Though their affection to their families, and concern for their affairs, could not but make them, after so long absence, very desirous to return, yet, like good soldiers, they would not move till they had orders from their general. So though our heavenly Father's house above be never so desirable, (it is Bishop Hall's allusion,) yet must we stay on earth till our warfare be accomplished, wait for a due discharge, and not anticipate the time of our removal.
I. Joshua dismisses them to the land of their possession, v. 4. They that were first in the assignment of their lot, were last in the enjoyment of it; they got the start of their brethren in title, but their brethren were before them in full possession; so the last shall be first, and the first last, that there may be something of equality.
II. He dismisses them with their pay; for who goes a warfare at his own charge? v. 8, Return with much riches unto your tents. Though all the land they had helped to conquer, was to go to the other tribes, yet they should have their share of the plunder, and had so, and that was all the pay that any of the soldiers expected; for the wars of Canaan bore their own charges. " Go," says Joshua, "go home to your tents," that is, "your houses," which he calls tents, because they had been so much used to tents in the wilderness; and indeed the strongest and stateliest houses in this world are to be looked upon but as tents, mean and moveable in comparison with our house above. "Go home with much riches, not only cattle, the spoil of the country, but silver and gold, the plunder of the cities, and," 1. "Let your brethren whom you leave behind, have your good word, who have allowed you your share in full, though the land is entirely their's, and have not offered to make any drawback. Do not say that you are losers by us." 2. "Let your brethren whom you go to, who abode by the stuff, have some share of the spoil. Divide the spoil with your brethren, as that was divided, which was taken in the war with Midian, Numb. 31. 27. Let your brethren that have wanted you all this while, be the better for you when you come home."
III. He dismisses them with a very honourable character. Though their service was a due debt, and the performance of a promise, and they had done no more than was their duty to do, yet he highly commends them; not only gives them up their bonds, as it were, now that they had fulfilled the condition, but applauds their good services. Though it was by the favour of God and his power, that Israel got possession of this land, and he must have all the glory, yet Joshua thought there was a thankful acknowledgment due to their brethren who assisted them, and whose sword and bow were employed for them. God must be chiefly eyed in our praises, yet instruments must not be altogether overlooked. He here commends them, 1. For the readiness of their obedience to their commanders, v. 2. When Moses was gone, they remembered and observed the charge he had given them; and all the orders which Joshua, as general of the forces, had issued out, they had carefully obeyed, went, and came, and did, as he appointed, Matt. 8. 9. It is as much as any thing the soldier's praise, to observe the word of command. 2. For the constancy of their affection, and adherence to their brethren, Ye have not left them these many days. How many days, he does not say, nor can we gather it for certain from any other place. Calvisius and others of the bestchronologers compute, that the conquering and dividing the land was the work of about six or seven years, and so long, these separate tribes attended their camp, and did them the best service they could. Note, It will be the honour of those that have espoused the cause of God's Israel, and twisted interests with them, to adhere to them, and never to leave them till God has given them rest, and then they shall rest with them. 3. For the faithfulness of their obedience to the divine law. They had not only done their duty to Joshua and Israel, but, which was best of all, they had made conscience of their duty to God, Ye have kept the charge; or, as the word is, Ye have kept the keeping, that is, "Ye have carefully and circumspectly kept the commandment of the Lord your God; not only in this particular instance of continuing in the service of Israel to the end of the war, but, in general, you have kept up religion in your part of the camp, a rare and excellent thing among soldiers, and where it is worthy to be praised."
IV. He dismisses them with good counsel, not to cultivate their ground, fortify their cities, and now that their hands were inured to war and victory, to invade their neighbours, and so enlarge their own territories, but to keep up serious godliness among them in the power of it. They were not politic but pious instructions that he gave them, v. 5. In general, to take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law. They that have the commandment have it in vain, unless they do the commandment; and it will not be done aright, (so apt are we to turn aside, and so industrious are our spiritual enemies to turn us aside,) unless we take heed, diligent heed. In particular, to love the Lord our God, as the best of beings, and the best of friends, and as far as that principle rules in the heart, and is the spring of its pulses, there will be a constant care and sincere endeavour to walk in his ways, in all his ways, even those that are narrow and up hill, in every particular instance, and in all manner of conversation to keep his commandments; and at all times, and in all conditions, with purpose of heart to cleave unto him, and to serve him and his honour, and the interests of his kingdom among men, with all our heart, and with all our soul. What good counsel was here given to them, is given to us all; God give us grace to take it!
V. He dismisses them with a blessing, v. 6. particularly the half tribe of Manasseh, to which Joshua, as an Ephraimite, was somewhat nearer akin than to the other two, and who, perhaps, were the more loath to depart, because they left one half of their own tribe behind them, and therefore, bidding often farewell, and lingering behind, had a second dismission and blessing, v. 7. Joshua not only prayed for them as a friend, but blessed them as a father in the name of the Lord, recommending them, their families and affairs, to the grace of God. Some, by the blessing Joshua gave them, understand the presents he made them, in recompense of their services; but Joshua being a prophet, and having given them one part of a prophet's reward, in the instructions he gave them, v. 5. no doubt, we must understand this of the other, even the prayers he made for them, as one having authority, and as God's vicegerent.
Being thus dismissed, they returned to the land
