Bible Commentaries
Joshua 16

Verse 1

CONTENTS

This Chapter contains the account of the portions of Joseph and of Ephraim. But inasmuch as they expelled not the Canaanites from among them, they bear the reproach.

Verses 1-4

Joseph as a type of the ever blessed Jesus, had eminent distinctions assigned him by his Father. He was among the youngest of Jacob ' s children, but yet, after Judah, is one of the first to be provided for, in his tribe. If the Reader be curious to observe the boundaries of Joseph, he will discover that his lot was very favourably cast, being in the very heart of Canaan. And is not Jesus, whom Joseph typified, the sum and substance and centre of Heaven? Doth he not reign in the very heart of his people? Reader! do not forget to read Moses ' s prophetic dying blessing concerning Joseph. Deuteronomy 33:13-17 .

Verses 5-9

I stay not to make remarks on the boundaries of those tribes, because in the present hour it is impossible to mark with any precision the extent of each; time making such ravages both on places and names. But I beg the Reader, not to forget, that it was in these grounds the noted spot of Arimathea and the famous well of Sychar stood, which opens so interesting a subject in the annals of the gospel. And more especially the retired spot of our dear Redeemer, John 11:54 .

Verse 10

Alas! how do God's people now suffer his enemies to remain. Dear Lord! when will all our enemies be subdued? 1 Corinthians 15:26 .

REFLECTIONS

IT was the language of the dying Patriarch, concerning his son Joseph, that he was, and should be, a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall. And here we see how his children broke out in fruitfulness, on the right hand and on the left. But oh! my soul, in him, to whom the son of Jacob ministered but as a type, how fruitful are thy boughs, O Jesus, and how dost thou run over the wall of thine enemies. Here indeed I see the blessings of heaven from above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, and blessings of the breasts of the womb. All nations shall call thee blessed! Blessed Jesus! be thou my portion, and do thou, for thou - alone canst accomplish it, drive out all enemies from before thy face.