10 Then Joshua commanded, &c.) It may be doubted whether this decree were published, after the espials were sent, and after their return. And verily it seemeth to me not only likely, but also I am throughly persuaded, that after he had known by their report, such things as he would, then he thought best to remove the camp. Otherwise it had been but over heady hastiness, to take his journey that way which he knew not: seeing he thought it profitable to be first instructed of many things, before he entered into the land of his enemies. Neither is it a strange thing, that the order of time is neglected, and that which followed being omitted, is afterwards rehearsed. Wherefore, the second Chapter shall be as it were a Parenthesis interlaced, which doth more fully declare, at what time Joshua commanded the people to remove with bag and baggage. ⟨image 10⟩Therefore, when he had perfect intelligence of every matter, he thought it high time to march forward, and so commanded the people by an edict to prepare them selves to remove. And whereas with so great confidence he pronounceth, that after three days they should pass over Jordan, he would never have been so bold to have made such a promise, if the spirit of God had not directed him thereto. No man had assayed to find a ford, neither was there any hope that any might be found. And as for bridge, or vessels, there were none, by which they might pass over. And it had been an easy matter to have kept them from the passage. Wherefore, nothing else remained, but that God should miraculously carry them over. This did not Joshua hope of rashly, nor of his own brain, but as it was revealed to him by God. In their readiness of obedience appeared the faith of the people, for that seeing before their eyes so great difficulty, they would never have been so obedient, if they had not cast all their care upon GOD. And there is no doubt, but God him self gave this courage into their minds, that he might take away all stops, which might let the effect of his promise.
10 Then Iosue commaunded, &c.) It may be doubted whether this decree were published, after the espialles were sent, and after their returne. And verily it seemeth to me not onely likely, but also I am throughly persuaded, that after he had knowen by their report, suche thinges as he woulde, then he thought best to remoue the campe. Otherwise it had bene but ouer headie hastinesse, to take his iourney that way whiche he knewe not: seeing he thought it profitable to be first instructed of many things, before he entered into the lande of his enimies. Neither is it a straunge thing, that the order of time is neglected, and that which followed being omitted, is afterwardes rehearsed. Wherefore, the second Chapter shalbe as it were a Parenthesis interlaced, which doth more fully declare, at what time Iosue commaunded the people to remoue with bagge and baggage. ⟨image 10⟩Therefore, when he had perfect intelligence of euery matter, he thought it high time to marche forwarde, and so commaunded the people by an edict to prepare them selues to remoue. And wheras with so great confidence he pronounceth, that after three dayes they should passe ouer Iordan, he would neuer haue bene so bold to haue made suche a promise, if the spirit of God had not directed him thereto. No man had assayed to finde a foorde, neither was there any hope that any might be found. And as for bridge, or vessels, there were none, by which they might passe ouer. And it had bene an easie matter to haue kept them from the passage. Wherefore, nothing else remained, but that God should miraculously carrie them ouer. This did not Iosue hope of rashly, nor of his owne braine, but as it was reuealed to him by God. In their readinesse of obedience appeared the faith of the people, for that seing before their eyes so great difficultie, they would neuer haue bene so obedient, if they had not cast all their care vpoa GOD. And there is no doubt, but God him selfe gaue this courage into their minds, that he might take away all stoppes, whiche might lette the effecte of his promise.
