4. His goodness in rewarding virtue —
[Two of the spies were faithful to their God : and behold how God interposed for them! The congregation was just going to stone them, and God instantly displayed his glory in such a manner as to appal the hearts of their enemies. To them also he bore testimony, that they had "followed him fully:" and he promised them, that though every other man through- out all the tribes should die in the wilderness, they should go into the promised land, and enjoy the inheritance reserved for them2.
Do any of the human race wish to ascertain whether their works shall be rewarded? Let them look to this history: let them here see how God will protect his people ; and how
x ver. 36, 37.
y See 1 Cor. x. 11. Heb. iii. 17 — 19. and iv. 1. Jude, ver. 5.
z ver. 24, 30.
assuredly they who serve him in time, shall dwell with him in eternity. Surely none who hear these records will ever be afraid of being singular, or of bearing persecution for righteous- ness' sake. No : from henceforth every soul should be em- boldened to " confess Christ before men," and to " cleave unto him with full purpose of heart."]
5. His faithfulness in fulfilling his word —
[Here was a strong temptation to rescind his promises : and indeed, because of the appearance of so doing, God says, " Ye shall know my breach of promise a." But the promise was not made to that people, that they at all events should inherit the land of Canaan : it was made to Abraham, that his seed should inherit it : and, both on this and a former occasion, when God threatened to destroy the present generation, he offered to raise up a nation from the loins of Moses, and to give the promised land to themh.
God fulfilled his word in every point : and Joshua appealed to the whole nation of Israel for the truth of thisc; as did Solomon many hundred years after himd. None therefore need to be afraid of trusting in God : for " he is not a man that he should lie, or the son of man that he should repent e." Let the whole world be assured, that they may safely rely on him ; that " not one jot or tittle of his word shall ever fail ; " that " faithful is He who hath promised; " and that " what he hath promised he is able also to perform." Be it known therefore, I say, " that they who trust in him shall not be ashamed or confounded world without endf."]
6. His power to accomplish his own sovereign will and pleasure —
[The people had expressed their fears that their little ones would fall a prey to the warlike inhabitants of Canaan. Now, says God, " those very children, who ye said would be a prey, even them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised g." Weak as ye judge them to be, I will give them the victory; and not an enemy shall be able to stand before them.
Hear this, ye drooping, doubting Christians ! let the whole world hear it : yea, let it never be forgotten, that " God ordaineth strength in babes and sucklings;" that "his strength is perfected in their weakness;" and that through him the weakest of us shall be " more than conquerors." Who weaker than Paul in his own apprehension? " I have not," says he, " a sufficiency even to think a good thought:" yet who stronger
a ver. 34. b ver. 12. with Exod. xxxii. 10. c Josh, xxiii. 14. d 1 Kings viii. 56. e Numb, xxiii. 19. f Isai. xlv. 17. ever. 31.
156.1 god's answer to moses' intercession. 65
in reality? " I can do all things," saith he, " through Christ who strengtheneth meh." Let the weak then say, " I am strong1:" " let the feeble be as David, and the house of David be as the angel of the LordV]