1 Joshua had sent, &c.) This was an other kind of espying, whereof the text now entreateth, than that former was, when Joshua with other eleven was sent: namely, to search all the quarters of the land, and to make report before all the people of the situation, nature, and fruitfulness of the country, and of other qualities thereof: of the greatness and frequency of the cities, of the inhabitants and their manners. To this intent, that they might more willingly address ⟨p. 8⟩them selves to march forward against them, when otherwise they were to slow and slothful for such an enterprise. And although it appeareth out of the first Chapter of Deuteronomy, that Moses was 1earnestly required by the people, to send chosen men to spy out the land, yet elsewhere he reporteth, that he did so by the commandment of God. Wherefore those twelve persons went both by the 2commandment of God, and for an end somewhat diverse from these, that after they had diligently spied out the land, they might be able to commend the excellency thereof, to encourage the minds of the people to conquer it. But now Joshua sendeth two men privily, which might espy, whether they might have free passage or no: whether the inhabitants of Jericho were in security, or else well provided and ready to fight. Finally, he sendeth such espials, by whose report he may prevent all dangers. Wherefore the question may be argued on both parts, Whether this counsel of his, was to be allowed, or else to be condemned of to much carefulness: especially, because he seemeth to have leaned to much to his own wisdom, whiles he asketh no counsel of GOD, and is so circumspect to prevent all dangers. But, albeit it is not expressed, that he was commanded by oracle, to will the people to remove, and so published a decree for the passage of Jordan: yet when the matter it self is evident, that he did not once think of raising the camp, but by Gods direction, it is not unlike, that he inquired of God also what his pleasure was, concerning the sending of those espials: or else, because God saw that they had need of this aid for their confirmation, he did of himself inspire this counsel into his servant.
1 Iosue had sent, &c.) This was an other kinde of espying, whereof the text now entreateth, than that former was, when Iosue with other eleuen was sent: namely, to searche all the quarters of the lande, and to make report before all the people of the situation, nature, and fruitfulnesse of the countrie, and of other qualities thereof: of the greatnes and frequencie of the cities, of the inhabitantes and their maners. To this intent, that they might more willingly addresse ⟨p. 8⟩them selues to march forwarde against them, when otherwise they were to slowe and slouthfull for such an enterprise. And although it appeareth out of the first Chapter of Deuteronomie, that Moses was 1earnestly required by the people, to sende chosen men to spie out the lande, yet elsewhere he reporteth, that he did so by the commaundement of God. Wherefore those twelue persons went both by the 2commaundement of God, and for an ende somewhat diuerse from these, that after they had diligently spied out the land, they might be able to commende the excellencie thereof, to encourage the mindes of the people to conquere it. But now Iosue sendeth two men priuily, which might espie, whether they might haue free passage or no: whether the inhabitants of Iericho were in securitie, or else well prouided and readie to fight. Finally, he sendeth suche espialles, by whose report he may preuent all daungers. Wherefore the question may be argued on both partes, Whether this counsell of his, was to be allowed, or else to be condemned of to much carefulnesse: especially, because he semeth to haue leaned to much to his owne wisedome, whiles he asketh no counsell of GOD, and is so circumspect to preuent all dangers. But, albeit it is not expressed, that he was commaunded by oracle, to will the people to remoue, and so published a decree for the passage of Iordane: yet when the matter it selfe is euident, that he did not once thinke of raising the campe, but by Gods direction, it is not vnlike, that he inquited of God also what his pleasure was, concerning the sending of those espialles: or else, because God sawe that they had neede of this ayde for their confirmation, he did of himselfe inspire this counsell into his seruaunt.
- 1Deut. 1, 22.
- 2Num. 13, 4.
