The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 98

HOMILIES DY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Yer. 1.-Forethou_qht. Let us play a little with this word. It ha,s more in it tha,n n good example for a military commander. And its sfde suggestions as to what is wise in nll conflicts are many and valuable, Generalise the action of Joshua here and its gfres yon some lesson of prndence in all departments of life. Let us gathe; n few of these. I. ~ooK BEFORE YOU LEAP. Always and everywhere do so. Many definitions hnw m,hc1ttecl the differen~e bet~een man and the lower a,nimals. One says, man 1s an 1tmmal that cn.n stnk~ a light; another, one which has langno,ge; another, one tlrn,i can f?nn abstract ideas. ~ v,ery p1:?found thinker recently taught us, " !\fan 1s an ammal that knows what s o clock, i.e., that takes note of time. It is perhaps only an amplification of this last idea to add, man is an animal that thinks of to-morrow. The vegetable, in its vocabulary of time, knows only the word tc-clny; ibe animal knows yesterday and to-day; man alone lives in a yesterday, to-da:,, and to-morrow. He belongs to to-monow as much as to to-clay: is a sort of amphibious animal, living on the dry land of to-day and in the watery element of to-morrow. From to-mo1Tow springs hope, fear, rest, distress. Man never is-but alwa~·s to be blest. This instinct of anticipation is natural because it is necessary. "-'e cannot get on without" sending out spies." Unless we forecast what is coming we cannot prepare for it, enjoy it, or secure it. If we advance without forecasting, we find ourselves perplexed in simplest circumstances; helpless, though possessed of almnclant resources ; weak, though endued with force of character; unready, though competent and resolved. There are some who never seem taken at a clis- aclvantage ; they have their wits about them ; have presence of mind to clo the wise thing, and presence of heart to do the right. Their difficulties kindle elation, e.nd alwa:,s end in ad,antage. There e.re others who move like a worm cut in two, their reasoning and acting powers e.lways lagging behind themaelves. An oppor- tunity only agitates them ; a duty disturbs them; a difficulty deters them from any further advance. All their wise thoughts come in the shape of resolutions which are not acted on, or regrets which e.re enfeebling. The difference between these two classes of men arises from this. The former send out spies, e.nd are prepared; the le.tter take no trouble to forecast wisely-are always, therefore, taken by sur- prise. See that you look out well. Christ did not forbid thinking, but e.nxious thin.king of to-morrow. Think what duties may come, and get ready, by pre.yer and seli'-denial, the strength to do them. Think of opportunities, and get ree.dy the clearness of Yiew which will let you embrace them. Think of temptations, and by prayer protect yourseli'. Hap.Py is the man 'Yho can so wisely e.nticipate that eYery duty, difficulty, danger, as 1t comes, finds him ready. Therefore, look before you leap, and send out spies. II. Do !WT SEND FORTH TOO MANY SPIES, NOR SEND THEM FORTH TOO FAR. Here Joshua sent two men to Jericho-say ten miles away. There are some send e.11 their forces out to spy, like a general who reconnoitres in force e.nd does not!J_ing else. They are always prospecting with all their powers. Their whole energies are given up to the guessing of the future. Reason, imagination, conscience, e.11 are enge.ged in anticipation. So busy e.re they with to-morrow that they have but little strength left for to-day. Joshua did not reconnoitre in force, nor did he send out many to spy the land. He sends only two. Do not be alwo,ys thinking on what is Lefore you ; it will become brooding, e.nd when we brood our forecast is equally uroneous and enervating; nor let your whole soul go out into the to-monow. To-day needs the bulk of your powers. To-monow cannot claim so much. And doino to-day's work well, while not the whole, is yet nine-tenths of prepe.ration for the monow. A little thought, a little care, a little preparation,_is the lesson of Joshua's two spies. And if we should not send forth too me.ny, neither should we despatch them too far. Joshua limits his scrntiny to the immediate struggle before him. About to assail Jericho, he seeks all the informe.tion he ce.n get on it So ought we to put a limit to our prosp:icts, The distant e.dve.nte.ge should be excluded l'.JH, II. 1-12.] THE BOOK OF' JOSHUA. 88