a Exod. iv. 24—26.
to withhold from their descendants, for forty years together, that seal, by which alone they could be admitted into covenant with God.
But, however the neglect originated, so it was, that not one of all the children of Israel was circumcised for the space of forty years ; and all of these did Joshua circumcise, the very day after his entrance into Canaan.
Only three days after this, (for they passed over Jordan on the tenth day of the month, and kept the passover on the four- teenth, at evenb,) did he also enjoin the observance of the passover. The passover had also been neglected, just as cir- cumcision had been c : and now that also must be revived, toge- gether with the attendant feast of unleavened bread. But was this a fit season for such observances ? Had not Joshua other matters to occupy his attention ? In a time of peace we might well expect that a holy man of God would renew these ordi- nances: but at the very moment of invading an enemy's country, and within two or three miles of a fortified and strongly- garrisoned city, was this a measure to be adopted ? Human prudence, doubtless, would have deferred it: but piety towards God was regarded by Joshua as superseding every other con- sideration, and as the best means of securing His favour, through whose blessing alone any human efforts could prove effectual.]
Now, instead of passing over this conduct of Joshua as an event in which we have no interest, it will be well to inquire, II. How far it is proper for our imitation at this day —
Enter into the state of Joshua's mind at this time; and then say, whether we may not learn, from his conduct, many lessons for ourselves at this day. We may learn,
1. That, in whatever circumstances we be, religion should be our first concern —
[If ever there were circumstances under which the offices of religion might be postponed, methinks they were those of Joshua on this occasion, when he had but just set foot on the land where great and powerful nations were prepared to com- bat for their very existence. And, in fact, it is the general opinion of military and naval commanders, that they have, as it were, a dispensation to neglect the ordinances of religion on account of the urgency and importance of their occupations. The same idea prevails through almost all the orders of society,
b Compare Josh. iv. 19. with Josh. v. 2, 10. c Amos v. 25. and Acts vii. 42.
246.1 Israel's first proceedings in canaan. 559
every one being ready to plead his temporal engagements as an excuse for neglecting the concerns of his soul. The states- man is too much engaged with politics ; the merchant with business ; the philosopher with his researches ; the student with his books; the servant with his duties; and every man with his own separate vocation : each, in his place, urges his occupations as justifying a neglect of his duties towards God. But, if Joshua, under his peculiar circumstances, sought first to serve and honour God, we can have no hesitation in saying, that in comparison of the divine favour there is not an object under heaven worthy of a thought. I mean not by this to say, that we are at liberty to neglect the discharge of any office to which God in his providence has called us, or so to postpone the discharge of it as to endanger our ultimate success : far from it. It is the inward service of the soul, of which 1 speak ; and which needs not to delay any outward act for one moment. It is not the act of Joshua which I propose to your imitation, but the habit of his mind : and that, I say again, is proper to be exercised by every child of man.]