Joshua 21

Chap. XXI. Ver. 1—45. Levites require their cities.—The maintenance of the ministers of religion should be considered, as required by the command of God, and not as a matter of mere choice or discretion. They “who labour in the word and doctrine,” have as good a title to a comfortable support, as other men have to their estates; and, on some occasions, must be allowed, without censure, to assert their claim against such as would defraud them: but this should always be done with evident reluctance as a matter of necessity; and with a willingness to refer themselves to the arbitration of impartial persons. And, in ordinary cases, it more accords to the examples of the New Testament, when they choose to “suffer all things,”

rather than to take any steps which may impede the success of their labours. Yet this excellent spirit in faithful ministers, is so far from excusing those who defraud them, that it greatly aggravates their sin.—It is very desirable that all the temporal concerns, relating to this sacred function, should be amicably settled, and arranged in such a manner, as to subserve its grand object; to occasion to the clergy as and to afford them every advantage of access to the people; that they may exhort, instruct, and reprove them, without falling under their contempt, or, dreading their displeasure. As on this extraordinary occasion, the cities of the priests and Levites were assigned them immediately by God himself, through the casting of lots; so, in ordinary cases, every one should consider his station as determined by divine Providence, and should cheerfully continue to perform the duties of it, though he seem to have more discouragements and inconveniences than the rest of his brethren; and not venture to remove, till satisfied, after serious consideration, prayer, and consultation of his pious friends and seniors, that the Lord calls him to another place.—Happy is the land where faithful ministers of Christ are to be met with in every district!

The people will not be impoverished by maintaining them: nor will they in general much complain in this respect; so long as ministers diligently apply themselves to ape ignorance and error, and to diffuse the light of divine truth; to stop the progress of immorality, and promote the practice of universal holiness; and, by their doctrine, influence, example, and prayers, to render all within their sphere more wise, holy, and happy.—Persons of eminence should take the lead in every good work, that their examples real usefulness is the most valuable distinction.—In due season, all the promises of God will be accomplished to his true people: and their believing hope, and patient waiting, and selfdenying obedience, will terminate in joyful songs of triumph, and thankful celebrations of his faithfulness, love, and power.

Then will it be universally acknowledged that ‘‘ there hath not failed aught of any good thing, which the Lord hath spoken;”’ nay, that he has exceeded their largest expecianons, and made them more than conquerors, and brought them to their delightful rest and inheritance. May none of us at that season be found among his enemies, “ who shall be destroyed, for ever! ”—Let no true believer despond, because of delays, tribulations, and temptations; for God has confirmed his promise and covenant “ with an oath, that we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us.”’ Let us then beg of ae to enable us to confide in him entirely, to obey him unreservedly, and to wait for him patiently; for we have need of patience, that “after we have done the will of God, we might receive the promise.” — T. Scott.

Notes on the verses

CuHap. XX. Ver. 7. They appointed Kedesh.—[{Kedesh, called Caidesa, or Caidesa, by Josephus, was situated in ee Galilee, twenty miles south-east from Tyre, according to Eusebius. The cities of refuge were distributed through the land at proper distances from each other, that they might be convenient to every part of the land; and it is said they were situated on eminences, that they might be easily seen at a distance; the roads leading to them being broad, even, and always kept in good repair. Kedesh and Hebron, were at the two extremities of the land—the former being in Galilee, and the latter in Judah, both in mountainous districts, and Shechem was in mount a eat nearly in the centre. Bezer was east of Jordan, in the eastern part of the plain opposite Jericho; Ramoth was about the midst of the country of the two tribes and a half; being about the middle of the mountains of Gilead; 298 s and Golan, the capital of Gaulonitis, was situated in the tribe of Manasseh in the land of Bashan.]—Bagster.

Cup. XXI. Ver. 3. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites these cities and their suburbs.—It has been asked, in what sense did the Levites have these cities, seeing they had no inheritance? and seeing other tribes resided constantly among them? It may well be supposed, that they had a right here to choose what houses they pleased to reside in, which they were allowed to sell, but not finally to alienate; and the suburbs, for their cattle, they were not permitted to sell at all, (Leviticus 25:32). Ver. 4. Tribe of Judah.—These tribes furnished more habitations to the Levites in proportion than any of the other tribes, because they possessed a more extensive inheritance, agreeably to what Moses had commanded.

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