1 And the Lord said, &c.) It was to great purpose to encourage Joshua & the people a fresh, that they might cheerfully address themselves to assault the city of Hai, from which with some loss, & greater shame, they were repulsed. God therefore, that they might take upon them this enterprise without fear, promiseth that he will deliver the city unto them. For the same reason and purpose, he commandeth them to fight by policy, rather than with open force, to train out their enemies, and to lay a stale for them to entrap them unawares. For it had been an easy matter, that a few thousands should be overthrown, with an infinite multitude, if they had set open the city suddenly & at all adventures. But because we heard before, that all their hearts were melted, God provided for their infirmity, to lay no more charge upon them, than they might well bear, until they were recovered from that overmuch fear, and waxed more courageous to execute his commandments. It is true, that he used at this time their diligence, partly that they should not always gape for miracles, and so become slothful, partly that in diverse & unlike kinds of his working, they might always acknowledge the same power. But this special reason is not to be omitted, because they were not yet recovered out of their fear, they could scarce be drawn to an open battle: except the policy of entrapping their enemies had been added for a succour. Although the promise hath the first place: Fear not, because I have delivered it into thy hands: which although by the word, it seemeth to be directed to Joshua, yet doth it pertain to all the people indifferently: because it was most necessary, that they should all and every one be delivered out of doubtfulness, and furnished with new confidence. And whereas he commandeth the city to be burned, as Jericho was: he seemeth to grant that unto the grief of the people, that the remembrance of the dishonour they received, might be abolished with this revengement: but that they may take the journey in hand more willingly, he leaveth the spoil unto them, as a reward of their victory.
1 And the Lorde said, &c.) It was to great purpose to encourage Iosue & the people a fresh, that they might cheerefully addresse themselues to assault the citie of Hai, from which with some losse, & greater shame, they were repulsed. God therefore, that they might take vpon them this enterprise without feare, promiseth that he will deliuer the citie vnto them. For the same reason and purpose, he commaundeth them to fight by policie, rather than with open force, to traine out their enimies, and to lay a stale for them to entrap them unwares. For it had bene an easie matter, that a fewe thousandes should be ouerthrown, with an infinite multitude, if they had set open the citie soudenly & at all aduentures. But because we heard before, that all their heartes were mealted, God prouided for their infirmitie, to lay no more charge vpon them, than they might well beare, vntill they were recouered from that ouermuch feare, and waxed more couragious to execute his commaundementes. It is true, that he vsed at this time their diligence, partly that they should not alwayes gape for miracles, and so become slouthfull, partly that in diuerse & vnlike kinds of his working, they might alwayes acknowledge the same power. But this speciall reason is not to be omitted, because they were not yet recouered out of their feare, they coulde scarse be drawne to an open battell: except the policie of entrapping their enimies had bene added for a succour. Although the promise hath the first place: Feare not, because I haue deliuered it into thy handes: which although by the worde, it seemeth to be directed to Iosue, yet doth it perteine to all the people indifferently: because it was most necessarie, that they should all and euerie one be deliuered out of doubtfulnesse, and furnished with newe confidence. And whereas he commaundeth the citie to be burned, as Iericho was: he seemeth to graunt that vnto the greefe of the people, that the remembrance of the dishonour they receiued, might be abolished with this reuengement: but that they may take the iourney in hand more willingly, he leaueth the spoyle vnto them, as a reward of their victorie.
