John Calvin Commentary Joshua 24:8

"And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, that dwelt beyond the Jordan: and they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand, and ye possessed their land; and I destroyed them from before you." — Joshua 24:8 (ASV)

And I brought you into the land, etc. He finally begins to discuss the victories that opened the way for their occupation of the settlements. For although the country beyond the Jordan had not been promised as part of the inheritance, God, by His decree, nevertheless joined it to the land of Canaan as an additional expression of His bounty. Joshua, therefore, with good reason, connects it with the other land when praising God's generosity towards the people.

He declares that, not only had they proven superior in arms and strength by trusting in divine aid, but they had also been protected from the deadly snares Balak had laid for them. For although the impostor Balaam was not able to accomplish anything by his curses and imprecations, it was, however, very beneficial to observe the admirable power of God displayed in defeating his malice. It was as if God Himself had come to close quarters and fought against everything that could harm them.

To persuade them more firmly that they had overcome not merely by God's guidance, but solely by His power, he repeats what we read in the books of Moses (Deuteronomy 7:20): that hornets were sent to rout the enemy without human hand. This was a more striking miracle than if they had been routed, put to flight, and scattered in any other way.

For those who, unexpectedly, win a victory without any difficulty, although they confess that the successful outcome of the war is the gift of God, immediately allow themselves to be blinded by pride and transfer the praise to their own wisdom, effort, and valor. But when it is accomplished by hornets, divine agency is undoubtedly asserted.

Accordingly, the conclusion is that the people did not acquire the land by their own sword or bow—a conclusion repeated in Psalm 44 and apparently borrowed from this passage. Lastly, after reminding them that they ate the fruits provided by other people’s labors, he urges them to love God as His generosity deserves.