Ver. 7. And Moses called unto Joshua, &c.— It is in vain, says Mr. Saurin, to inquire why none of the children of Moses succeeded him in his government. St. Augustin thinks it was because their mother was a Midianite. But these kinds of questions are not within human reach. God is at liberty in the disposal of his favours, and is responsible to none but himself for the use of such liberty: perhaps, also, he was desirous to obviate all suspicions of ambition and partiality, which might have been entertained against Moses had he himself made choice of one of his children for his successor. One of the most memorable circumstances of this great man's life, and one of the most proper to illustrate that love with which he was always animated, was, that as soon as God had told him that his unbelief excluded him from entering into the Land of Promise, his first cares were taken up about the management of that people from whom death was about to separate him. It is one of the chief characteristics of a true hero, not to seek, in the great stations to which he has been exalted, any thing but the happiness of those for whose sake he is placed there; and to be ready to come down from thence as willingly as he ascended, when Providence thinks fit to call to succeed him those who are worthy of it. Such was the character of Moses.
REFLECTIONS.—One parting word more before his lips are shut in death. They were going to a war in which they needed encouragement: he, the leader in whom they had confidence, could not go before them; his age was very great, and, though his natural force was not abated by it, yet God had put a bar in his way, and determined his death on this side Jordan. Note; 1. Moses animates the people with the assurance of God's constant presence with them, and his never-failing providence over them. As he might not go himself, he appoints them Joshua for their leader, of whose courage they had full experience, and of whose regard for them they could have no doubt after what had passed. Thus, as one faithful minister is removed, another succeeds him. They needed not fear success when God was their captain: what they had seen might be sufficient to confirm their confidence; and as it was God's determined decree to root out the Canaanites, and to make them his instruments, they might rest assured that it would be done. Note; (1.) Past experience should be remembered for our present encouragement. (2.) What God sends us to do, he will enable us to accomplish, however difficult it may appear. 2. He encourages Joshua; not that he wanted courage, but that every promise from God might inspire fresh confidence of victory: he gives him the same assurances of the Divine presence and never-failing care, and charges him to act as a valiant leader. Every believer is a Joshua, strong to fight the Lord's battles, undismayed by danger, and exercising faith in the Divine promises for final and complete victory over sin, and death, and hell.