1 And all the multitude, &c.) Here is reported that solemn assembly, which was held at Silo, where consultation was had for casting of the rest of the lots. For although they began to cast lots of a godly zeal, yet that action was interrupted: although the victory ought to have gone before the division, which depended upon the only mouth of God. Wherefore they come together in Silo, to decree what was needful to be done in time to come. And there is no doubt, but Joshua called this assembly, that he might shake away from them their slothfulness. For they utter nothing of their own accord: but he beginneth to chide them, that they were slack and slow, to enter upon the inheritance, which God him self had given them. For we may gather by his speech, that in the beginning they were full of cheerfulness: but there followed no perseverance. And yet that obedience was adorned with the commendation of the holy Ghost, which soon after vanished away. And we must note, that the people is reprehended, not for that they were negligent in casting of lots: but because they did not possess the inheritance which was offered to them by God. And surely, as the casting of lots was a sign of some faith, so that region, which fell to every one of them, was a sure and faithful pledge of that possession, which afterward they should have: for God did not trifle and play, when he assigned to every one their portion. The verb RAPHAH, which I have translated, To cease, doeth signify also, To be feeble and weak. Therefore he accuseth them of shameful slothfulness, that when it was high time to chase away their enemies, by fingering & loitering, they hindered the effect of the benefi•e of God. For if they had been content with their bare lot, and had embraced by faith that which fell unto them, doubtless they would have been prompt and ready to finish the wars: or rather as conquerors they would have made haste unto the triumph. Now it is said, that the Ark was placed in Silo, not only that their consultation might be the more holy and grave, being as it were in the sight of God: but because the place was quiet and safe from all foreign violence and injury. For that of all other things was chiefly to be cared ⟨image 85⟩for, that it should not be left open unto the sudden invasions of the enemies.
1 And all the multitude, &c.) Here is reported that solemne assemblie, which was held at Silo, where consultation was had for casting of the rest of the lottes. For although they beganne to cast lottes of a godlie zeale, yet that action was interrupted: although the victorie ought to haue gone before the diuision, which depended vppon the onely mouth of God. Wherefore they come together in Silo, to decree what was needfull to be done in time to come. And there is no doubt, but Iosue called this assemblie, that he might shake away from them their slouthfulnesse. For they vtter nothing of their owne accorde: but he beginneth to chide them, that they were slacke and slowe, to enter vppon the inheritaunce, which God him selfe had geuen them. For we may gather by his speach, that in the beginning they were full of cheerfulnesse: but there followed no perseuerance. And yet that obedience was adorned with the commendation of the holy Ghost, which soone after vanished away. And we must note, that the people is reprehended, not for that they were negligent in casting of lottes: but because they did not possesse the inheritance which was offered to them by God. And surely, as the casting of lottes was a signe of some faith, so that region, which fell to euerie one of them, was a sure and faithfull pledge of that possession, which afterward they should haue: for God did not trifle and plaie, when he assigned to euerie one their portion. The verbe RAPHAH, which I haue translated, To cease, doeth signifie also, To be feeble and weake. Therefore he accuseth them of shamefull slouthfulnesse, that when it was high time to chase away their enimies, by fingering & loytering, they hindered the effect of the benefi•e of God. For if they had bene content with their bare lot, and had embraced by faith that which fell vnto them, doubtlesse they would haue bene prompt and readie to finish the warres: or rather as conquerours they would haue made haste vnto the triumphe. Now it is said, that the Arke was placed in Silo, not only that their consultation might be the more holie and graue, being as it were in the sight of God: but because the place was quiet and safe from all forreigne violence and iniurie. For that of all other thinges was cheefly to be cared ⟨image 85⟩for, that it shoulde not bee lefte open vnto the soudaine inuasions of the enimies.
