A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little…

Moses was therefore content with this indifferent order, that the Ru•enites and Gadites, while their brethren were occupied in warfare, should not sit all idle at home, and eat up their profits, while their brethren ⟨image 24⟩had need of their aide, whom they were bound to thank, for that inheritance which they had obtained already. And herein was tried the honesty if these forty thousand men, that while the rest of their tribes were at rest, they refuse not the burden, the troubles, nor the dangers of warfare. They might have laid for themselves, that they had as good cause to be discharged of the wars as the rest. Therefore, that being chosen out, they march forward cheerfully, whither they were commanded, and envy not the freedom and quiet of their brethren, it appeareth that they came forth willingly, and with a good courage. Although there is no doubt, but the chief flower of their soldiers being chosen out, all occasion of quarrelling and striving was utterly cut off. For there was no reason to contend, but that old men, and weak persons, were to be spared: except a man had rather guess, that this army was appointed, not by mans judgement, but by lots. Howbeit, I think rather, that as every one was most valiant and best able to endure travels, so they offered themselves.

Moses was therefore content with this indifferent order, that the Ru•enites and Gadites, while their brethren were occupied in warfare, should not sit all idle at home, and eate vp their profits, while their brethren ⟨image 24⟩had neede of their aide, whom they were bound to thanke, for that inheritance which they had obteined alredie. And herein was tried the honestie if these fortie thousand men, that while the rest of their tribes were at rest, they refuse not the burthen, the troubles, nor the daungers of warrefare. They might haue layed for themselues, that they had as good cause to be discharged of the warres as the rest. Therefore, that being chosen out, they march forwarde cheerefully, whither they were commanded, and enuie not the freedome and quiet of their brethren, it appeareth that they came foorth willingly, and with a good courage. Although there is no doubt, but the cheefe flowre of their souldiours being chosen out, all occasion of quarelling and striuing was utterly cut off. For there was no reason to contende, but that olde men, and weake persons, were to be spared: except a man had rather gesse, that this armie was appointed, not by mans iudgement, but by lottes. Howbeit, I thinke rather, that as euerie one was most valiant and best able to endure trauelles, so they offered themselues.