11 And Manasseh, &c.) It is not easy to gather, how they were so ⟨p. 79⟩mingled, that they possessed certain cities in the lot of Asher, and Issachar, when the tribe of Ephraim dwelt within their borders: except peradventure it was so provided, lest a more commodious kind of dwelling should have been subject to many quarrels and complaints: or else perhaps, as the whole region was afterward better known, some thing was changed in the former partition, according to the rule of equity. Therefore this seemeth to be a new addition, while it was known, that the children of Manasseh might be enlarged, without the loss of the other. Neither was there given them a peaceable possession, which they might presently enjoy: but their inheritance was laid up under hope, that they might rest rather in the heavenly promise, than in the earthly possession. Yet that they obtained not those cities, it is imputed to their own fault, for the lot was to them an undoubted pledge of victory. Therefore they could not drive out the inhabitants, because they were not persuaded in their hearts, that God was true of his promise, and so they stopped the course of Gods power, through their own slothfulness. But the other fault was less tolerable: when they might easily have destroyed them all: they were not only slothful in executing the commandment of God: but being moved with filthy lucre, they saved those alive, whom GOD had appointed to be destroyed. For those whom we charge with tribute, we do in a manner receive them under our tuition and protection. God had appointed them to be ministers of his vengeance, he had given them strength enough to execute the same: but they were not only slack therein, but also deprived them selves of liberty to do well. Therefore it is no marvel, if God severely revenged their so froward slothfulness, that those nations, whom they had pardoned, contrary to the manifest prohibition of God, should be come pricks to be thrust into their eyes, and goads to dig in their sides. Also here ariseth a question, how they had cities granted to them in the tribes of Asher and 1Issachar, when both their portions was yet unknown. Therefore, by anticipation that is rehearsed, which was not yet fulfilled.
11 And Manasseh, &c.) It is not easie to gather, how they were so ⟨p. 79⟩mingled, that they possessed certeine cities in the lot of Aser, and Izachar, when the tribe of Ephraim dwelt within their borders: except peraduenture it was so prouided, lest a more commodious kind of dwelling shoulde haue bene subiect to many quarelles and complaintes: or else perhapps, as the whole region was afterward better knowen, some thing was chaunged in the former partition, according to the rule of equitie. Therefore this seemeth to be a new addition, while it was knowen, that the children of Manasse might be enlarged, without the losse of the other. Neither was there geuen them a peaceable possession, which they might presently enioy: but their inheritaunce was layed vp vnder hope, that they might rest rather in the heauenlie promise, than in the earthlie possession. Yet that they obteined not those cities, it is imputed to their owne fault, for the lot was to them an vndoubted pledge of victorie. Therefore they could not driue out the inhabitantes, because they were not persuaded in their hearts, that God was true of his promise, and so they stopped the course of Gods power, through their own slouthfulnes. But the other fault was lesse tollerable: when they might easily haue destroyed them all: they were not onely slouthfull in executing the commaundement of God: but being moued with filthie lucre, they saued those aliue, whom GOD had appointed to be destroyed. For those whom we charge with tribute, we doe in a manner receiue them vnder our tuition and protection. God had appointed them to be ministers of his vengeaunce, he had geuen them strength enough to execute the same: but they were not onely slacke therein, but also depriued them selues of libertie to doe well. Therefore it is no meruell, if God seuerely reuenged their so froward slouthfulnesse, that those nations, whom they had pardoned, contrarie to the manifest prohibition of God, shoulde bee come prickes to be thrust into their eyes, and goades to digge in their sides. Also here ariseth a question, how they had cities graunted to them in the tribes of Aser and 1Izachar, when both their portions was yet vnknowen. Therefore, by anticipation that is rehearsed, which was not yet fulfilled.
- 1Num. 33, […]Num. 33, 〈…〉
