18 And the Lord said, &c.) This place teacheth, that either by the great strength of the City, or by the boldness of the Citizens, or by trembling of the people of Israel, the victory was made harder to attain to: because God, by the lifting up of the spear, promiseth that he would take the City himself. For in a matter that had been without doubtfulness, the token had been superfluous. Wherefore, it is like that their minds were careful and doubtful, when God, by the hand of Joshua, lifteth up a standard of crust, that they should not faint. Although soon after an other end is noted, where it is said, that the ambushment by this means was stirred up & ran. So that, if that were the sign of rising up, it will not agree, that the vanquishing power of God was showed by the spear, which should take all doubtfulness from them. But because it is not expressed, that this was the cause why the soldiers that lay in wait came forth, for that they saw the spear, it may be, that they came forth of their own accord, either because it was high time, or else because the cry and the noise admonished them, that then the battle was in fighting. And verily, it is not credible, that they could see the spear being so far off: namely, because Joshua stayed in the valley. Moreover, if we say that the lifting up of the spear, which served for an other purpose, did profit them also to be more encouraged, therein is no absurdity at all. This ought to be certain, that by the solemn token, they were assured of the happy success of that battle: and secondly, that the purpose of Joshua was nothing else, but to encourage his soldiers by the commandment of God. For it followeth at the length, that Joshua did not withdraw his hand, before the city, was taken, his enemies destroyed, and the war finished. Whereby it appeareth, that in the middest of ⟨p. 43⟩the conflict, he carried up his spear as a sign of triumph, that the Israelites should be in no doubt of the success. For although he had them fight, and use their weapons manfully: yet did he likewise declare, that they had already gotten the victory. And although it doth somewhat darken the order of the story, that one thing is twice repeated: yet the effect is manifest, that the children of Israel made as though they were afraid, when they retired.
18 And the Lorde saide, &c.) This place teacheth, that either by the great strength of the Citie, or by the boldenesse of the Citizens, or by trembling of the people of Israel, the victorie was made harder to attaine to: because God, by the lifting vp of the speare, promiseth that he would take the Citie himselfe. For in a matter that had bene without doubtfulnesse, the token had bene superfluous. Wherefore, it is like that their minds were carefull and doubtfull, when God, by the hand of Iosue, lifteth vp a standard of crust, that they should not faint. Although soone after an other ende is noted, where it is saide, that the ambushment by this meanes was stirred vp & ranne. So that, if that were the signe of rising vp, it will not agree, that the vanquishing power of God was shewed by the speare, which should take all doubtfulnesse from them. But because it is not expressed, that this was the cause why the souldiers that lay in waite came foorth, for that they sawe the speare, it may be, that they came foorth of their owne accorde, either because it was high time, or else because the crie and the noise admonished them, that then the battell was in fighting. And verily, it is not credible, that they could see the speare beeing so farre off: namely, because Iosue stayed in the vallie. Morouer, if we say that the lifting vp of the speare, which serued for an other purpose, did profit them also to be more encouraged, therein is no absurditie at all. This ought to be certaine, that by the solemne token, they were assured of the happie successe of that battell: and secondly, that the purpose of Iosue was nothing else, but to encourage his souldiers by the commaundement of God. For it followeth at the length, that Iosue did not withdrawe his hande, before the citie, was taken, his enimies destroyed, and the warre finished. Whereby it appeareth, that in the middest of ⟨p. 43⟩the conflict, he carried vp his speare as a signe of triumphe, that the Israelites should be in no doubt of the successe. For although he had them fight, and vse their weapons manfully: yet did he likewise declare, that they had already gotten the victorie. And although it doth somewhat darken the order of the storie, that one thing is twise repeated: yet the effect is manifest, that the children of Israel made as though they were afraid, when they retired.
