Here we have a narrative of the solemn protestation which Joshua used towards the time of his death, that he might leave the pure worship of God surviving him.

6. Be you therefore very courageous, etc He now shows them the mode of conquering, – not to indulge gross security, as too often happens, as a substitute for genuine confidence.

7. That you come not among these nations, etc He distinctly admonishes them that it will be impossible rightly to discharge their duty if they be not carefully on their guard against all sources of corruption. This it was very necessary to enforce upon them.

9. For the Lord has driven out from before you, etc He intimates that so long as they do not themselves change, there will certainly be no change on the part of God. Therefore he asserts that, provided they conciliate the favor of God, they shall have an uninterrupted course of victory.

12. Else if you do in any wise go back, etc According to the usual method observed in the Law, he adds threatening, in order that if they are not sufficiently allured by the divine goodness, they may be aroused by fear to the performance of their duty.

14. And, behold, this day I am going, etc As it has been appointed unto all men once to die, Joshua says that in regard to himself the common end of all is at hand, inasmuch as he, too, was born mortal.