The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 87

Judah would have been the first to find its home secure; and Reuben, Gad, and half l\fanasseh would have been the last if they still desired the district of Gilead. It is not the peculiar virtue of the latter that it should be earlier, nor any fault of the former that it should be later. It is due simply to their entering now from tile east mstead of from ihe south. So in the contrasted condition of these tribes we have but a type of the contrasted conditions of men. There are some have ruade their fortune b~- the time others are just beginning to struggle for it. To some, truth comes with clear e,idence as a bright heritage of their youth, while others only reach it "ith protracted struggle. Some are frwoured with a knowloge of the gospel, while otliers are in densest ignorance. Some nations have vast wealth of liberty and justice, when others are just beginning to achieve the first sweets of freedom. Arnl in such circumstances the more fortunate are verf apt to enjoy theu- comforts, regardless of the struggles of their brethren; just as these tribes might have argued with plausible ingenuity that they should be excused from rendering assistance to their brethren. The struggle with Bashan-that district which rises like an island of rock from the pastoral plains, and which is the great natural fortress, the "keep" of the whole district-had been arduous. The remains of the cities of Bashan, so strongly built that three thousand years has not been able to reduce them to ruins, show the energy and developed civilisation of their foes. There are not a few indications that the stress of the conflict fell on the two and a half tribes. How easily they might have been tempted to settle do~rn. indifferent to their brethren's welfare. Besides, they had respectable excuses. Who would defend their wives and children when all their mighty men were across the Jordan ? "What would become of their cattle ? What security was there against the Bedawin, then, as now, roving about intent on spoil? Might they not act as rear-guard, and keep the communications open- secure a safe retreat ? But Moses, Joshua, God, all expect the more to help the less fortunate, and the generous instincts of their own hearts assent to the doctrine, and the nobility of their action testifies to all posterity that privilege carries responsibility, and that all who have are bound to aid all who lack. " Go forth before your brethren armed, till the Lord hath given them rest." Let the upper classes of our country share rather than monopolise education, power, enjoyment of life. Let the rich aid the poor; the strong the weak. Let those who have the gospel help those who are in darkness to attain its light. The successful have a duty to the struggling to aid them, not feebly, but with their full strength. If this e:i:ample illustrates the duty of the more helping the less favoured, it illus- trates with equal clearness, secondly- !!. THE BLESSEDNESS OF DOING so. One does not like to contemplate what would have been the results had they withheld their help. The Amorites, strong in their mountain fastnesses, the Canaanites-the race we know better under the name of Phenicians, strong in their civilisation, wealth, commerce, maritime enter- prise, inhabiting the sea-board plains-were not enemies to be lightly overcome. Ten out of the twelve spies-all brave men-reported the conquest impossible ; and the other two hoped for it only because they had the faith that rememb_ered no~h!ng was impossible. What would have been the effect on the world 1f Phemc1an religion, with its unutterable vileness and c111elty, destruction of morality and virtues in all their forms, had extirpated Hebrew religion, with its inspiration of ,irtue, truth, liberLy, awl all things high, one is content to leave unguessed. But Israel was fighting the world's battle of truth and righteousness against enormous odds, and the two and a half tribes nobly taking their share in the conflict. Obserrn what blessed results followed. I. They had the reward of being grandly useful in the service they rendered. They did not fail, nor were discouraged until, as the result of three or four years of war, the whole land from Hebron in the south to Baal Gad in Lebanon was theirs. And God's people, God's Church, and God's Truth had an earthly house. The candle was set on a caqdlestick, and gave light to all surrounding nations ancl rncceeding ages. 'fhy brotherly help, in whatever direction !endered, will never Le in vain. Nothing has such success and so little failure as kmdly help. liH. I. 10-16.] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA 21