Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 1:7

7 Only be thou strong, and very couragious, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law which Moses my servant commanded thee : turn not from it to the right hand or to the less▪ that thou mayest † prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Remember, that though thou art the Captain and Commander of my people, yet thou art my Subject, and obliged to observe all my commands.

Which plainly shews, That Gods assistance promised to him and to the Israelites, was conditional, and might justly be withdrawn upon their breach of the Conditions.

Or, That thou mayest do wisely. Whereby he instructs him in the true Art of Government; and that his greatest Wisdom will lie in the observation of all Gods Commands, and not in that pretended reason of State which other Princes govern all their Affairs by.

i. e. Whithersoever thou goest▪ Mens actions are oft compared to ways, or journeys, or steps by which they come to the end they aim at.

r i. e. In any kind, or upon any pretence.

Marginal references: Deut. 31. 7.; Deut. 5. 32. & 28. 14.; ‡ Or, do wisely.