Death of Moses

&
Joshua and his
leadership in
conquering Canaan

Death
Of
Moses
(Deuteronomy
34)

Moses views the promised land

from Mount Nebo.
1Then Moses climbed Mount Nebofrom the plains of
Moab to the top of Pisgah,across from
Jericho.There the LORD showedhim the whole
land--from Gilead to Dan,2all of Naphtali, the
territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of
Judah as far as the western sea,3the Negevand
the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City
of Palms,as far as Zoar.4Then the LORD said to
him, "This is the land I promised on oathto
Abraham, Isaac and Jacobwhen I said, 'I will give
itto your descendants.' I have let you see it with
your eyes, but you will not crossover into it.

Interpretation
Moses seemed unwilling to leave his work; but that
being finished, he manifested no unwillingness to
die. God had declared that he should not enter
Canaan. But the Lord also promised that Moses
should have a view of it, and showed him all that
good land. Such a sight believers now have, through
grace of the bliss and glory of their future state.
Sometimes God reserves the brightest
discoveries of his grace to his people to support
their dying moments. Those may leave this world
with cheerfulness, who die in the faith of Christ, and
in the hope of heaven.

The death and burial of Moses,

The mourning of the people.
5And Moses the servant of the
LORDdiedthere in Moab, as the LORD had
said.6He buried himin Moab, in the valley
opposite Bethpeor,but to this day no one
knows where his grave is.7 Moses was a
hundred and twenty years oldwhen he died,
yet his eyes were not weaknor his strength
gone.8The Israelites grieved for Moses in
the plains of Moabthirty days,until the time
of weeping and mourningwas over.

Interpretation
Moses obeyed this command of God as willingly
as any other, though it seemed harder. In this
he resembled our Lord Jesus Christ. But he
died in honor, in peace, and in the most easy
manner; the Savior died upon the disgraceful
and torturing cross. Moses died very easily; he
died "at the mouth of the Lord," according to
the will of God. The servants of the Lord, when
they have done all their other work, must die
at last, and be willing to go home, whenever
their Master sends for them,Ac.21:13.

Continuation
The place of his burial was not known. If the soul be at
rest with God, it is of little consequence where the
body rests. There was no decay in the strength of his
body, nor in the vigor and activity of his mind; his
understanding was as clear, and his memory as strong
as ever. This was the reward of his services, the
effect of his extraordinary meekness. There was
solemn mourning for him. Yet how great so ever our
losses have been, we must not give ourselves up to
sorrow. If we hope to go to heaven rejoicing, why
should we go to the grave mourning?

Joshua succeeds Moses, The

praise of Moses.
9Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spiritof
wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on
him.So the Israelites listened to him and did what
the LORD had commanded Moses.10Since then,
no prophethas risen in Israel like Moses,whom
the LORD knew face to face,11who did all those
miraculous signs and wondersthe LORD sent him
to do in Egypt--to Pharaoh and to all his
officialsand to his whole land.12For no one
hasever shown the mighty power or performed
the awesome deedsthat Moses did in the sight of
all Israel.

Interpretation
Moses brought Israel to the borders of Canaan,
and then died and left them. This signifies
that the law made nothing perfect, (
Hebrews 7:19) It brings men into a
wilderness of conviction, but not into the
Canaan of rest and settled peace. That honor
was reserved for our Lord to do that for us
which the law could not do, (Romans 8:3) .
Through him we enter into the spiritual rest
of conscience, and eternal rest in heaven.

Continuation
Moses was greater than any other prophet of the Old
Testament. But our Lord Jesus went beyond him, far
more than the other prophets came short of him.
And see a

strong resemblance

between the
redeemer of the children of Israel and the
Redeemer of mankind. Moses was sent by God,
to deliver the Israelites form a cruel bondage; he
led them out, and conquered their enemies. He
became not only their deliverer, but their lawgiver;
not only their lawgiver, but their judge; and, finally,
leads them to the border of the land of promise.

Continuation
Our blessed Savior came to rescue us out of slavery
of the devil, and to restore us to liberty and
happiness. He came to confirm every moral precept
of the first lawgiver; and to write them, not on tables
of stone, but on fleshly tables of the heart. He came
to be our Judge also, inasmuch as he hath appointed
a day when he will judge all the secrets of men, and
reward or punish accordingly. This greatness of Christ
above Moses, is a reason why Christians should be
obedient and faithful to the holy religion by which
they profess to be Christ's followers. God, by his
grace, make us all so!

The
Conquest
To
Canaan
(Joshua 1:1 5:1)

Here is the history of Israel's passing

into the land of Canaan, conquering
and dividing it, under the command of
Joshua, and their history until his
death. The power and truth of God in
fulfilling his promises to Israel are
wonderfully displayed. This should
teach us to regard the tremendous
curses denounced in the word of God
against impenitent sinners, and to
seek refuge in Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1

The Lord appoints Joshua to

succeed Moses.
1After the death of Moses the servant of the
LORD,the LORD said to Joshuason of Nun,
Moses' aide:2"Moses my servant is dead.
Now then, you and all these people, get ready
to cross the Jordan Riverinto the landI am
about to give to them--to the Israelites.3I will
give you every place where you set your
foot,as I promised Moses.4Your territory will
extend from the desert to Lebanon,and from
the great river, the Euphrates--all the
Hittitecountry--to the Great Seaon the west.

Interpretation
Verses 1-4Joshua had attended upon Moses. He
who was called to honor, had been long served
Gods Will. Our Lord took upon him the form of
a servant. Joshua was trained up under
command. Those, who have learned to obey,
are fittest to rule. The removal of useful men
should quicken survivors to be more diligent
in doing good. Arise, go over Jordan. At this
place and at this time the banks were
overflowed. Joshua had no bridge or boats,
and yet he must believe that God, having
ordered the people over, would open a way.

God promises to assist Joshua.

5No one will be able to stand up against youall the
days of your life. As I was withMoses, so I will be
with you; I will never leave you nor
forsakeyou.6"Be strongand courageous,because
you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore
to their forefathersto give them.7Be strong and
very courageous. Be careful to obeyall the lawmy
servant Mosesgave you; do not turn from it to the
right or to the left,that you may be successful
wherever you go.8Do not let this Book of the
Lawdepart from your mouth;meditateon it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything
written in it. Then you will be prosperous and
successful.9Have I not commanded you? Be strong

Interpretation
Verses 5-9Joshua is to make the law of God
his rule. He is charged to meditate
therein day and night, that he might
understand it. Whatever affairs of this
world we have to mind, we must not
neglect the one thing needful. All his
orders to the people, and his judgments,
must be according to the law of God.
Joshua must himself be under command;

no man's dignity or dominion sets

him above the law of God.

Continuation
He is to encourage himself with the promise
and presence of God. Let not the sense of
thine own infirmities dishearten thee; God
is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called,
and commissioned thee to do it, and will be
sure to bear thee out in it. When we are in
the way of duty, we have reason to be
strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as
Joshua here, was borne up under his
sufferings by a regard to the will of God,
and the commandment from his Father.

Preparation to pass over Jordan.

10So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:11"Go through the
campand tell the people, 'Get your suppliesready. Three daysfrom
now you will cross the Jordanhere to go in and take possessionof the
land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' "12But to the
Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh,Joshua
said,13"Remember the command that Moses the servant of the
LORD gave you: 'The LORD your God is giving you restand has
granted you this land.'14Your wives,your children and your
livestock may stay in the landthat Moses gave you east of the
Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed,must cross over ahead
of your brothers.You are to help your brothers15until the LORD
gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have
taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them.
After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses
the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the
sunrise."

Interpretation
Verses 10-15Joshua says to the people,
Ye shall pass over Jordan, and shall
possess the land; because God had said
so to him. We honor the truth of God,
when we stagger not at the promise of
God. The two tribes and a half were to
go over Jordan with their brethren.
When God, by his providence, has given
us rest, we ought to consider what
service we may do to our brethren.

Preparation

The people promise to obey

Joshua.
16Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever
you have commanded us we will do, and
wherever you send us we will go.17Just
as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey
you.Only may the LORD your God be with
you as he was with Moses.18Whoever
rebels against your word and does not
obeyyour words, whatever you may
command them, will be put to death. Only
be strong and courageous!"

Interpretation
Verses 16-18The people of Israel engage to obey
Joshua; All that thou commandest us to do we will
readily do, without murmuring or disputing, and
whithersoever thou sendest us we will go. The best
we can ask of God for our magistrates, is, that they
may have the presence of God; that will bless them
to bless us in the name of the Lord, so that in
seeking this for them, we consult our own interest.
May we be enabled to enlist under the banner of the
Captain of our salvation, to be obedient to his
commands, and to fight the good fight of faith, with
all that trust and love in his name, against all who
oppose his authority; for whoever refuses to obey
him must be destroyed.

Joshua 2

Rahab receives and hides two

Israelites.
1Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spiesfrom Shittim."Go,
look overthe land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and
entered the house of a prostitutenamed Rahaband stayed
there.2The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites
have come here tonight to spy out the land."3So the king of Jericho
sent this message to Rahab:"Bring out the men who came to you
and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the
whole land."4But the woman had taken the two menand hidden
them.She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where
they had come from.5At dusk, when it was time to close the city
gate,the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them
quickly. You may catch up with them."6(But she had taken them up
to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flaxshe had laid out
on the roof.)7So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road
that leads to the fords of the Jordan,and as soon as the pursuershad
gone out, the gate was shut.

Interpretation
Verses 1-7Faith in God's promises ought not to do away,
but to encourage our diligence in the use of proper
means. The providence of God directed the spies to the
house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that
would be true to them, though they did not. Rahab
appears to have been an innkeeper; and if she had
formerly been one of bad life, which is doubtful, she
had left her evil courses. That ,which seems to us most
accidental, is often overruled by the Divine providence
to serve great ends. It was by faith that Rahab received
those with peace, against whom her king and country
had war. We are sure this was a good work; it is so
spoken of by the apostle, (James 2:25) ; and she did it
by faith, such a faith as set her above the fear of man.

Continuation
Those only are true believers, who find in their
hearts to venture for God; they take his people
for their people, and cast in their lot among
them. The spies were led by the special
providence of God, and Rahab entertained them
out of regard to Israel and Israel's God, and not
for lucre or for any evil purpose. Though excuses
may be offered for the guilt of Rahab's falsehood,
it seems best to admit nothing which tends to
explain it away. Her views of the Divine law must
have been very dim: a falsehood like this, told by
those who enjoy the light of revelation, whatever
the motive, would deserve heavy censure.

Rahab and the spies.

8Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof9and
said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that
a great fearof you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country
are melting in fear because of you.10We have heard how the LORD
dried upthe water of the Red Seafor you when you came out of
Egypt,and what you did to Sihon and Og,the two kings of the
Amoriteseast of the Jordan,whom you completely destroyed.11When
we heard of it, our hearts meltedand everyone's courage
failedbecause of you,for the LORD your Godis God in heaven above
and on the earthbelow.12Now then, please swear to meby the LORD
that you will show kindnessto my family, because I have shown
kindness to you. Give me a sure sign13that you will spare the lives of
my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to
them,and that you will save us from death."14"Our lives for your
lives!"the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will
treat you kindly and faithfullywhen the LORD gives us the land."

Continuation
15So she let them down by a ropethrough the window,for the
house she lived in was part of the city wall.16Now she had said to
them, "Go to the hillsso the pursuerswill not find you. Hide
yourselves there three daysuntil they return, and then go on your
way."17The men said to her, "This oathyou made us swear will
not be binding on us18unless, when we enter the land, you have
tied this scarlet cordin the windowthrough which you let us down,
and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers
and all your familyinto your house.19If anyone goes outside your
house into the street, his blood will be on his own head;we will not
be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his
blood will be on our headif a hand is laid on him.20But if you tell
what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us
swear."21"Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent
them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cordin the
window.

Interpretation
Verses 8-21Rahab had heard of the miracles the
Lord wrought for Israel. She believed that his
promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his
threatenings take effect; and that there was no
way of escape but by submitting to him, and
joining with his people. The conduct of Rahab
proved that she had the real principle of Divine
faith. Observe the promises the spies made to
her. The goodness of God is often expressed by
his kindness and truth, (Psalms 117:2) ; in both
these we must be followers of him. Those who
will be conscientious in keeping promises, are
cautious in making them.

Continuation
The spies make needful conditions. The
scarlet cord, like the blood upon the
doorpost at the Passover, recalls to
remembrance the sinner's security under the
atoning blood of Christ; and that we are to
flee thereto for refuge from the wrath of a
justly offended God. The same cord Rahab
used for the saving of these Israelites, was
to be used for her own safety. What we serve
and honor God with, we may expect he will
bless, and make useful to us.

The return of the spies.

22When they left, they went into the hills and
stayed there three days,until the
pursuershad searched all along the road and
returned without finding them.23Then the
two men started back. They went down out of
the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua
son of Nun and told him everything that had
happened to them.24They said to Joshua,
"The LORD has surely given the whole land
into our hands;all the people are melting in
fearbecause of us."

Interpretation
Verses 22-24The report the spies brought
was encouraging. All the people of the
country faint because of Israel; they have
neither wisdom to yield, nor courage to
fight. Those terrors of conscience, and that
sense of Divine wrath, which dismay the
ungodly, but bring not to repentance, are
fearful forebodings of approaching
destruction. But grace yet abounds to the
chief of sinners. Let them, without delay,

flee to Christ, and all shall be well.

Joshua 3

The Israelites come to Jordan.

1Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites
set out from Shittimand went to the Jordan,where
they camped before crossing over.2After three
daysthe officerswent throughout the
camp,3giving orders to the people: "When you
see the ark of the covenantof the LORD your
God, and the priests,who are Levites,carrying it,
you are to move out from your positions and
follow it.4Then you will know which way to go,
since you have never been this way before. But
keep a distance of about a thousand
yardsbetween you and the ark; do not go near
it."5Joshua told the people, "Consecrate
yourselves,for tomorrow the LORD will do

Interpretation
Verses 1-6The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having
been told that they should pass it. In the way of duty,
let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the
Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his
early rising, as afterwards upon other occasions,
which shows how little he sought his own ease. Those
who would bring great things to pass, must rise early.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. All in public
stations should always attend to the duty of their
place. The people were to follow the ark. Thus must
we walk after the rule of the word, and the direction
of the Spirit, in everything; so shall peace be upon us
as upon the Israel of God; but we must follow

our ministers only as they follow Christ.

their way through the wilderness was an untrodden
path, but most so this through Jordan.

All

Continuation
While we are here, we must expect and prepare to
pass ways that we have not passed before; but in
the path of duty we may proceed with boldness
and cheerfulness. Whether we are called to suffer
poverty, pain, labor, persecution, reproach, or
death, we are following the Author and Finisher of
our faith; nor can we set our feet in any dangerous
or difficult spot, through our whole journey, but
faith will be there to see the prints of the
Redeemer's feet, who trod that very path to glory
above, and bids us follow him, that where he is,
we may be also. They were to sanctify themselves.
Would we experience the effects of God's love
and power, we must put away sin, and be
careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

The Lord encourages JoshuaJoshua encourages the people.

7And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt youin
the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I
was with Moses.8Tell the priestswho carry the ark of the
covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go
and stand in the river.' "9Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come
here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.10This is
how you will know that the living Godis among youand that he
will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites,
Hittites,Hivites, Perizzites,Girgashites, Amorites and
Jebusites.11See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the
earthwill go into the Jordan ahead of you.12Now then, choose
twelve menfrom the tribes of Israel, one from each
tribe.13And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the
LORD--the Lord of all the earth--set foot in the Jordan, its waters
flowing downstreamwill be cut offand stand up in a heap."

Interpretation
Verses 7-13The waters of Jordan shall be
cut off. This must be done in such a way
as never was done, but in the dividing of
the Red sea. That miracle is here
repeated; God has the same power to
finish the salvation of his people, as to
begin it; the WORD of the Lord was as
truly with Joshua as with Moses. God's
appearances for his people ought to
encourage faith and hope. God's work is
perfect, he will keep his people. Jordan's
flood cannot keep out Israel, Canaan's
force cannot turn them out again.

The Israelites pass through

Jordan on dry land.
14So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the
priests carrying the ark of the covenantwent aheadof
them.15Now the Jordanis at flood stageall during
harvest.Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark
reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's
edge,16the water from upstream stopped flowing.It piled
up in a heapa great distance away, at a town called Adam
in the vicinity of Zarethan,while the water flowing downto
the Sea of the Arabah(the Salt Sea) was completely cut
off.So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.17The
priestswho carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD
stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan,while
all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed
the crossing on dry ground.

Interpretation
Verses 14-17Jordan overflowed all its banks. This
magnified the power of God, and his kindness to
Israel. Although those who oppose the salvation of
God's people have all advantages, yet God can and
will conquer. This passage over Jordan, as an
entrance to Canaan, after their long, weary
wanderings in the wilderness, shadowed out

the believer's passage through death to

heaven, after he has finished his wanderings in
this sinful world. God of Moses, typified by the
ark, hath gone before, and he crossed the river
when it most flooded the country around. Let us
treasure up experiences of His faithful and tender
care, that they may help our faith and hope in the
last conflict.

Joshua 4 & 5

Stones taken out of Jordan.

1When the whole nation had finished crossing
the Jordan,the LORD said to
Joshua,2"Choose twelve menfrom among
the people, one from each tribe,3and tell
them to take up twelve stonesfrom the
middle of the Jordanfrom right where the
priests stood and to carry them over with you
and put them down at the place where you
stay tonight."4So Joshua called together the
twelve menhe had appointed from the
Israelites, one from each tribe,

Continuation
5and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God
into the middle of the Jordan.Each of you is to take up a stone on
his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the
Israelites,6to serve as a signamong you. In the future, when your
childrenask you, 'What do these stones mean?'7tell them that the
flow of the Jordan was cut offbefore the ark of the covenant of the
LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut
off. These stones are to be a memorialto the people of Israel
forever."8So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They
took twelve stonesfrom the middle of the Jordan,according to the
number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the LORD had told
Joshua;and they carried them over with them to their camp, where
they put them down.9Joshua set up the twelve stonesthat had
beenin the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who
carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to
this

Interpretation
Verses 1-9The works of the Lord
are so worthy of remembrance,
and the heart of man is so prone
to forget them, that various
methods are needful to refresh
our memories, for the glory of
God, our advantage, and that of
our children. God gave orders for
preparing this memorial.

The people pass through

Jordan.
10Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in
the middle of the Jordan until everything the LORD had
commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses
had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,11and as
soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the LORD and
the priests came to the other side while the people
watched.12The men of Reuben,Gadand the half-tribe of
Manassehcrossed over, armed, in front of the Israelites,as
Moses had directed them.13About forty thousand armed
for battlecrossed overbefore the LORD to the plains of
Jericho for war.14That day the LORD exaltedJoshua in the
sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his
life, just as they had revered Moses.

Continuation
15Then the LORD said to Joshua,16"Command
the priests carrying the ark of the Testimonyto
come up out of the Jordan."17So Joshua
commanded the priests, "Come up out of the
Jordan."18And the priests came up out of the
river carrying the ark of the covenant of the
LORD. No sooner had they set their feet on the
dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned
to their placeand ran at flood stageas
before.19On the tenth day of the first month the
people went up from the Jordan and camped at
Gilgalon the eastern border of Jericho.

Interpretation
Verses 10-19The priests with the ark
did not stir till they are ordered to
move. Let none be weary of waiting,
while they have the tokens of God's
presence with them, even the ark of
the covenant, though it be in the
depths of adversity. Notice is taken of
the honor put upon Joshua. Those are
feared in the best manner, and to the
best purpose, who make it appear that
God is with them, and that they set
him before them.

The twelve stones placed in

Gilgal.
20And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stonesthey had taken out
of the Jordan.21He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your
descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?'22tell
them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'23For the LORD
your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.
The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the
Red Seawhen he dried it up before us until we had crossed
over.24He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might
knowthat the hand of the LORD is powerfuland so that you might
always fear the LORD your God.

1Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the
Canaanite kings along the coastheard how the LORD had dried up
the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their
hearts meltedand they no longer had the courage to face the
Israelites.

Interpretation
Verses 20-24It is the duty of parents to tell their
children betimes of the words and works of God,
that they may be trained up in the way they
should go. In all the instruction parents give
their children, they should teach them to fear
God. Serious godliness is the best learning. Are
we not called, as much as the Israelites, to
praise the loving-kindness of our God? Shall we
not raise a pillar to our God, who has brought us
through dangers and distresses in so wonderful
a way? For hitherto the Lord hath helped us, as
much as he did his saints of old. How great the
stupidity and ingratitude of men, who perceive
not His hand, and will not acknowledge his
goodness, in their

Report ends
here.