Israel by their representations of the promised land, and of the difficulties which must be overcome, before it should be possessed "*. We know also the commendations given to Caleb and to Joshua for their manly opposition to such degrading- fears^. This shews us of what spirit ive should be, whatever confederacies may be formed against us, or whatever difficulties we may have to encounter : we should dismiss all fear from our own hearts, and strengthen to the uttermost the hands of our timid and desponding brethren.]
To his reproof the prophet adds,
II. A word of counsel —
[Surely it became the Jews, whose whole history was one continued record of miraculous interpositions, to " encourage themselves in the Lord their God," and to expect at his hands all needful support. But more particularly were they taught in this place to look unto their Messiah, whose advent had just been predicted in express connexion with these very events ^ That HE is the person here designated by " the Lord of Hosts himself," is evident; because, whilst he is spoken of as "a Sanctuary" to some, it is declared that he shall be " A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence" to others^. Now, says the prophet, " Sanctify him in your hearts, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." And precisely the same advice does the Apostle Peter give to timid and desponding Christians in his day, " Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled ; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts''." To " sanctify the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts," is, to regard him as possessing all power in heaven and in earth, and as exercising it for his people's good. This is the true antidote to all distressing fears, from whatever quarter they may arise. For, supposing a con- federacy of all the men on earth and all the devils in hell, what device can prevail against infinite wisdom, or what effiarts against Almighty power ? If " the Lord's eye be over us for good," it matters not what eye is upon us for evil. " No weapon formed against us can prosper," when both the smith who formed it, and the man who holds it, were created by him and are under his controul'. Protected by this Saviour, we can have no cause for fear. Our minds may be peaceful in the midst of the most troublovis scenes;'' confident, though me- naced by the most inveterate foes'; and assured, though in circumstances, in which no power less than that which is infinite could uphold us™. This then is the counsel which I
^ Numb. xiii. 28 — 33. and xiv. 1. ^ Numb, xxxii. 10 — 12.
f Isai. vii. 7 — 14. s Compare ver. 14. with Rom. ix. 33.
^ 1 Pet. iii. 14, 15. ' Isai. liv. 15—17. i^ Ps. xlvi. 1—3. 1 Ps. xxvii. 3 — 5. 'n Rom. viii. 35 — 39.