HOMILETICS. Ve1·s. 5-9.-The source of Joshua's confidence. I. HE BAD BEEN CHOSEN BY Goo. Moses was dead, and Joshua's heart might well have failed him. For the gi·eat lawgiver had found the task of leading the Israelites from Egypt to the borders of tl10promisedland too much for his strength and spirit (Exod. xviii.13-17; Num. xi.11-17; Deut. i. 9-15). Constant rebellions and murmurings had weakened his hands. "They provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips (Psa. cvi. 33), and in consequence he was not permitted to lead them into Canaan. To Joshua a hardertask was assigned. He was not only to lead the Israelites, but to lead them in battle, and against foes more numerous and better prepare<! for war than themselves. Yet the sense that he had been markecl out for the task, as well as his determination to obey the orders he had received, sustnined him. He was never known to waver but once (eh. vii.), nor did the confidence of his followers in him everfolter. So may all those who have received a charge from God \'est assured -that they will be able to execute it. II. HE REPOSED UPON Goo's PROMISE. He "believed Goll," and it was not only "counted unto him for righteousness," but his foith led him to victory. Nothing coul<l have nerved him for such a task but the consciousness that Goel was with him. For he had no personal ambition (eh. xix. 49), such as often stimulates men to great tasks. Thus the Christian warrior of to-clay, who contends not for himself but for his Master, may emulate Joshua's courage and confidence, for the sam,, promises are his as were Joshua's (Heb. xiii. 5, 6; Eph. vi. 10; 2 Thess. iii. 3). III. HE WAS DILIGENT IN THE STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES, AND BE GUIDEn RIMSELF BY THEIR INJUNCTIONS. He hacl only the law of Moses, but he kept it (eh. v., vi., vii.). He had been warnecl to extirpate the Canaanites, and he obeyed the command to the letter (eh. x., xi. 15). The Christian who would conquer in his conflict with the powers of evil must be diligent in his study of God's _-word, and careful to frame his life hy its precepts. Ho must "meditate therem clay and night (cf. Psa. i. 2; cxix.1; 97-99; also Dent. iv. 9; xi. 18-20; xvii.18, 19), aml m1:1st take heed to calTy out the lessons he has learned. 12 THE BOOlt OF JOSHUA. (oa. I, ll-9, - - - - - -· ---------------------------
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTB:ORS. ,-ers. 6-9._-A 1·r:newed covenant. The covenant made with the patriarchs, and :i,ftenrnrds with then· descendants when they came out of Egypt, is here renewed 111 a.hnost the s:tme words. The ~iromises are i,lentical (,·ers. 4, Ii), and also the con- d1t10ns of then· fulfilment, winch are slllllllled up in fidelity and obedience : " Observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee'' /Yem. 7. S). This renewal to each generation of the covenant between God and His people is a law of religious history. It results both from the nature of that coYenant and from the character of those who enter into it. I. This alliance is, in its essence, THE RESTORATION OF THE BOND OF LOVE BETWEEN MAN AND Goo, by the obedience of faith. Now love is a feeling which needs to be constantly renewed. The love of one generation will not avail for the next. ]t must he rekindled and find fresh expression. II. The covenant must be made between the true God and man made in His image; IT MUST EE SPIRITUAL AND SPONTANEOUS IN ITS CHARACTER, It cannot be signed upon parchment or graven in the insensate stone ; it must be written upon living hearts. Hence it ought to be perpetually renewed, though it gladly avails itself of the strengthening influence of its glorious antecedents. It recognises as its essential principle the free and so.ereign initiative of Divine love. "We love him because he first loved us" (1 John iv. 19). Nor is it enough that this Divine cove- nant be renewed -with each successive generation ; it must be entered into by every indiridual soul. This was true, indeed, in relation to the higher religious life, even under the old coverui,nt. How much more under the new-the covenant of the Spirit-which is ratified not by circumcision but by conversion. "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God'' (John iii. 3) .-E. DE P. Y ers. 5, 6.- The leader's promise. Such is God's word to Joshua wlien com- mencing his great task. He needed the urgent precept and the supporting promise. He was no youthful dreamer, but one long past middle life, who had no exaggerated estimate of Israel's faithfulness, and no illusions about its task. He needed, and here he gets, the quickening influence of a sacred charge. As God spake to him, so he would speak to all who are constrained by a sense of duty to God or man to undertake some task that seems beyond their powers. Let us take its general lessons to all. I. HEROES PASS AWAY, BUT THE POWER THAT MADE THEM STILL REMAINS. When Moses left his task it seemed as if the work must come to a stand. Where should they find such grace again ? or how could they do without it? Such a combination of courage and meekness, faith to follow anywhere, patience with those who had hardl, faith to follow at all; such wisdom, such love-could it be repeated? could it be dispensed with? Especially now, when the finish of their great enterprise was so full of difficulty. They know little of the human heart who imagine that Joshua could gaily assume the responsibilities of his command. They_ who enter into great wars "with light heart'' do not take long to gather heavmess. And Joshua, adYanced in life, acquainted with the difficulties of his task, doubtless was tempted to feel that with Moses the heroic age had ended, and prosaic common life alone remained. Probably the people shared this feeling; and with the departure of this great hero there was the feeling that all greatness and glory was gone. The first thing that will quicken men with hope is this,-heroes leave us, but God re- mains. Before the special promise will operate its special comfort there must be this general thought of comfort cherished and realised. And we all shall be pre- pared to realise the promises which suit ourselves, if we realise that amidst all changes God remains unchanged, and whatever leaves us He abides. ,ve are all apt to say that former times were better than the present; to im~gi1;1e that former greatness cannot be grown now; that grandeur of thought, ~amtlmess, courage, will come no more "to dignify our times; " that there was special grace vouchsafod to past ages which made them rich, and which has evaporated long ago. Churchmen look back to the Fathers: Dissenters to the Reformers of the Church. Now the mar- CH. I, 5-0.] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. 13