xxiii. 11). ·we go not to the warfare at ot,r own cost. Let us lca1·n to expect His presence. We will think of the future, but not take over-anxious thought. Not work _hnt worry saps the strength. Let our councils wait till Christ is present to pres1cte. II. Hrs COURAGE. Not in vain had the admonition, '' De courageous," been bestowed upon him. Nowise affrighted, Joshua went upto the man with the sword and put the inquiry, " On whose. side art thou come to fight?" Ignorant of the stranger's dignity, his warlike attitude did not daunt our hero. He would know the truth, eYen if unpleasant and at the hazard of his life. Truly many a trouble would ha Ye its gigantic dimensions lessened if we faced it stoutly and investigated its nature. Tha,t new theory which wea,rs such hostile aspect may after all confirm the old position. Joshua knew but of two ar,nies. And to our conflict with sin tbere are bnt two sides. "He tha,t is not with us is a,ga.inst us." It is well to put tbe query to our acqua.intance, "Art thou for us?" Notice olso that God appears ;,, the form best suited to His servant's need. He contended as an athlete with Jacob that by wrestling the pa.triarch's faith and knowledge might be increased. To Moses, needing to be reminded of the indestructibility of the Church of God, there was shown a burning bush unconsumed. And now, to inspirit ,Joshua for the campaign, God reveals Himself as a, warrior a,rmed and as the "Prince of the Lord's host." Ca.ptain of the ..-isible and invisible armies, the Israelites and the angels. Analogous to these varied appearances are the titles of God, framed to assure His people that He can " supply all their need." To the afflicted He is the "God of all comfort," to the depressed the " God of hope." In 0111' loneliness He is a Friend, in orpru!,nhood the Father of the fatherless, in the storm our refuge, amid the waves our Rock, and in battle our Captain and Shield. Thankful may we be for the chequered experience of life, if it reveals to us the many-sidedness of our God, and the satisfaction to be fonnd in Him of every want. III. His HUMILITY. The words and bearing of the speaker, even if they did not at once render Joshua conscious of His exalted· character, werii quite enough to indicate the need of reverence. Accordingly he bowed·and worshipped, and, great general though he was, exhibited his readiness to receive commands or advice respecting the management of the siege. This is the spirit in which the approach of Christ to the heart should be met. We must say with Saul, "What wilt thou have me to do?" Men who cavil at every utterance of the Saviour are not likely to be favoured with a full disclosure ot'His glorious person. If the heart has been stirred by some appeal of Scriptlll'e or some religious argument, it is only right that we should display a willingness to listen further and to follow the light whither it may lead us. A lowly attitude befits the proudest intellect in the presence of messengers and messages from heaven. Let us, like Joshua, inquire, "What saith mv Lord unto his servant?" Humility prepared the way for the reception of a conimand that clearly revealed a present Jehovah. Not to the disrespectful will such a revelation be granted. Therefore to the doubting we say, Dow at the feet of Christ, and there shall come a mandate which by its own inherent authority shall manifest His dignity and dismiss uncertainty. Often have the very absoluteness of tbe co=ands of Christ, and the very thoroughness of the claim He makes to men's homage, assured them of His being the Son of God. Imposture and false· hood stand not forth in such clear light, they would be instantly detecte<l. IV. His OBEDIENCE. Promptly did Joshua loose the shoes from off his feet, recalling, douLtless, the similar order issued to Moses in the <lesert. 1'he presence of God is true consecration. He is everywhere; but where He manifests Himself, there the place is holy. As the shoe pa1-took of the defilement of the earth, it was not fit to remain on holy ground. The New Testament does not diminish the awe inspired by tbe majesty of the MoRt High, though it brings pre-eminently into view His character of love. Not outward prostration, however, <lo we want so much as the bowing of the heart and bending of the will. " Renrl your hearts and not your garments." Obedience was rewarded with directiona and a promise. Dy instant compliance with the behest, Joshua displayed a hearty acceptance of his Prince's will, and a fitness to receive further proofs of Divine favour, For the gifts of God Cll, VI, 1--21.J THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. 97
11ro conditioned by the preparedness of the recipient. And if in a.newer to our repeated prnyers there has come a. seemingly strange command, let us immediately obey. No further revelation will be ours till we have thus shown our fitness to pa.r- ticip11te in heavenly blessings, We shall fin<l tha.t in keeping the commandments we 11Cquire 11 true knowledge of Goel, and th11t therein is eternal life. "If any ma.n will do his will, he shnll know of the <loctrine."-A.
Vere. 18-15.-The Captain of the Ohwrch. At the very time when the battle of Israel against the iclolators of the land of Canaan was about to commence, Joshua. saw a. mysterious warrior stand before him sword in hand. " Art thou for us or for our enemies?" he cried. " I am come," is the answer, as Captain of the Lord's host. I. Tms DIVINE CAPTAIN HAS NEVER LEFT THE ARMY OF THE HOLY, though He may NOT AT ALL TIMES have made Himself VISIBLE. He was with the Church when it entered upon the conflict with the old world. Weak, insignificant, withont power, and without prestige as it was, His sword of fire sufficed to ensure it the victory, It was He whom Luther saw in the dawn of the Reformation morning, when be sang: " The Son of God goes forth to war.'' II. This Divine personage is the same with whom Jacob wresUed all the night at the Ford J abbok. He begins by turning His sword against His own soldiers, and plunges it deep into their hearts to destroy their pride and sin, Blessed wounding, which makes them in the end more than conquerors, and Israelites indeed. "\Ve must not, then, marvel if, often in the early stages of its warfare, the Church is humbled, foiled, for a time it might seem almost crushed. Neither should we be surprised if the Christian soul is made victorious only through suffering. Soon the Divine Captain will take command of the host which He has disciplined, a.nd will lead them on to victory. This Captain is the very same whom St. John saw in vision with a flaming sword iu His mouth. He is the Word made flesh, the Redeemer (Rev. v.). He Himself was wounded before He triumphed,· The conquering Head of the Church is "Jesus, who was crucifiecl,"-E. 9E P.