the  Ian  J  of  Canaan  full  of  their  strong  enemies,  being  now  shut
in  by  the  Jordan.  It  was  not  only  a  considerable  thing  for  the
vvliole  congregation  under  forty  years  at  once  to  submit  to  what
was  so  painful  and  disagreeable,  but  so  to  expose  themselves  lo
their  enemies  ;  for,  excepting  the  divine  protection,  they  must  in
those  circumstances  have  been  an  easy  prey  to  their  enemies,  if
they  had  immediately  fallen  uponihem,  as  the  Sliechemiies  were  to
Siini;on  anil  Levi.  'JMieir  having  just  tMitered  the  country  of  their
gigautic  and  numerous  cncinics.  of  whom  llicy  had  hoard  such  for-
midable accounts,  and  their  not  knowing  what  preparation  their  ene-
mies had  made,  nor  how  soon  they  would  fall  upon  them,  tended
to  make  them  the  more  fearful  and  cautious  ;  but  they  obeyed
God,  and  trusted  in  his  protection  without  murmuring  against
God  or  Joshua,  as  Zipporah  did  against  Moses,  saying,  "  Surely
a  bloody  husband  art  iliou  to  me."

[500]  Concerning  what  the  congregation  of  Israel  were  to  do
in  order  to  the  taking  of  Jericho.  It  was  to  try  the  faith,  and
obedience,  and  patience  of  the  people  :  to  try  whether  they
would  obey,  and  believe  a  promise,  which  in  human  probability
seemed  iinpossible  lo  be  performed.  They  were  also  proved
whether  tliey  could  patiently  bear  the  reproaches  of  their  enemies,
and  patiently  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord.  Thus  by  faith
the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down.  (Heb.  xi.  30.)  They  were  com-
manded to  be  silent,  not  to  speak  a  word  nor  make  any  noise,  ver.
10,  wlilch  intimates  their  reverent  expectation  of  the  event.
Zech.  ii.  13.  "  I3e  silent,  O  all  flesh,  before  the  Lord."  Exod.
