calm in danger, brave in battle. Still, as a rule, to "bear the yoke in one's youth" is the hest preparation for the stern struggle of after life. Moreover, the trials and responsibilities of life are graduated. The right discharge of lesser duty qualifies for higher positions of trust. Joshua proved, in the previous expeditions on which J\Ioses sent him (Exod.. nii. 9; Num. xiii. 17), his fitness to take the place of the great leader. " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." "If thou hast run "l\ith the footmen," &c. (Jer. xii. 5). Again: other circumstances of a different kind-miraculous manifestations, Divine revelations-had their part in J oslnrn ·s preparation. He had witnessed the wonders in Egypt and at the Red Sea. had been with Moses in the mount, had had direct communication from God to himself (Deut. xxxi.). We are reminded of the higher, diviner influences that help in the formation of all noblest lnnnan character; there is always the blending of natural and supernatm·al elements, ordinary associations of life mingled with direct heavenly visitations, innate qualities sanctified and glorified by special 1mnist1ies of the grace of God. III. IT ILLUSTRATES THE HEROISl.f THAT SPRINGS FROM FAITH. Faith, the faith that brought him into personal contact with the li,ing God, was the spring of all Joshua·s strength and courage. He luLd no prophetic gift as regards the vision of ihe future, for it was through the priest Eleazar, "after the jud.gment of Urim," that he was to ask counsel of the Lord (Num. xxvii. 21). But as military leader of Israel he was dinnely inspired; and his inspiration was the energy of faith. This has ever been the prolific root of the noblest forms of character and deed. By it "the elders," whose names shed lustre on the ages of the past, "obtained their good report." And so it always will be. There is no heroism like that which springs from the soul's living hold on the unseen and eternal. The hope of the world for deliverance from the ills that afflict it, and its being led into the heritage of a brighter future, is in the men of faith. And he is an enemy to his race who would attempt to dry up this spring of power.• " This is the victory," &c. (1 John v. 4). IV. !T PRESEKTS US WITH AN INTERESTING HISTORIC TYPE OF GOSPEL SALVATION. Many points of typical resemblance have been traced. This, at least, is clear,- as Joshua, "Moses' minister," consummates his work, leads the people into the promised land, din.des to them their inheritance; so Christ, "made under the law,'' brings in the richer grace. He is the "end of the law for righteousness," &c. (Rom. x. 4). The Captain of salvation leads many sons, His redeemed ones, to glory and eternal rest.-W.
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER I. 5-9. relax towards thee. God is ever the sa.nie, If His attitude to us be altered, it is not THE SOCRCE OF Josm:;A'S CONFIDENC!l.- He who has changed, but ourselves. Ver. 5.-There shall not any man be able Ver. 6.-Be strong and of a good courage. to stand before thee. Literally, no one shall Literally, be strong and vigorous. The word set him,elf up a9ainst thee, i.e., successfully does not refer so much to the character of resist thee (civn11,i111era,, LXX.). All I was Joshua as t"o his actions. He was to be a witb Moses. Literally, as I have been with man of action, alert, prompt, ready to ac't Moses : that is to say, was with him and when occasion demanded (see Deut. xxxi. remained with him unto the end. The con- 6, 7, 8, 23). Which I sware unto their tinuity of the work of God under the old fa.there (see note on ver. 3). dispensation is thus as clearly marked as Ver. 7.-Be very courageous. The word that of the new in Matt. xxviii. 20, and is the same as is translated " be of good John xx. 21-23. The promises made to courage " above. Knobel remarks that the Abraham, the law given to Moses, the gift phraseology here . is similar to that of of a new life in Christ, are so many parts Deuteronomy, but " strange to the other of one great work, and that work the re- Books " of the Pent1Lteueh. This may be generation of mankind. 1 will not fall thee. from the fact that Deuteronomy is through- Literally, I will not be weak towards thee, out hortatory, while the other Books o.re CH, I, 5-0,] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. :i.1
historical. But the recurrence or the cxliii. 5, in the original. Also Deut. xxxi. hortatory phrases or Deuteronomy here is 2G). Observe to do. Literally, keep to do, at least remarkable (see Yer. 3). Prosper. thus impressing on as the care necessary in Rather, pcrlmps be wise (cf. Deut. xxix. deciding on our actions. All that ls written 9, though, according to Calvin, the worcl therein (cl. for the expression Deut. xxviii. means, " not only to net prudently but 58, 61 ; xxix. HJ, 20, 26; XXX. 10). Shall successfully"). The only true wisdom is have good success. The word is the same that obtained from God, whether in answer as is translated "prosper" above, and not the to prayer, or in meditation on His lnw same as that rendered "prosperous " in thls (see 1 Cor. i. 17-31; ii. 12-16; iii. 19). verse. "1\-Ien," says Calvin, "never act Ver. 8.-Tb1s book of the la.w. The law skilfully, except in so far as they allow was, therefore, embodied in a written docu- themselves to be ruled by the Word of Goel." ment when the Book of Joshua was wriLten; Have I not commanded thee? "An em- and ns the antiquity of this Book may be phatic inquiry is a stronger form of affirma- rego.nled as proved, we may quote thus an tion, and is generally employed hy those early authority for the genuineness of at who wish to infuse into another courage I ast some portions of the Pentateuch. and alacrity" ~Iiche.elis). Moreover 1'1'peti- ·_·here was a" book of the law" in Joshua's tion is a remarkable feature of Hebrew time, according to this early testimony, and composition, as we may observe from the we may conclude from vers. 3-7 that second chapter of Genesis onward, and is Deuteronomy formed a pa.rt of it (see also designed to give emphasis to what is com- Deut. xvii. 19 for a similar precept. And manded or related. Calvin would lay stress for the fact see Deut. xxxi. 24--26). Medi- on I: "Have not I commanded thee?" tate therein (cf. Pse.. i. 2, !xiii. 7, But this is not borne out by the Hebrew.