The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 216

l'eligion of the Ismelites, about renouncing idolatry and serving the true God ; they only wanted the advantages which would accrue from making a league with the lsraelites. If we would share the advanta"es 0 we must become God's people in heart and life. 4. The success of craft. Mental is sometimes more powerful than physical force in overcoming a difficulty. The Miclianites were able to seduce the Israelites into sin though they could not injure them in open battle. There is undoubtedly a legiti- mate use of craft; according to the Apostle's declarations, " I have caught you with guile," " becoming all things to all men." There mast be, however, nothing .inherently wrong in our procedure, no tampering with truth, as in the case of the _Gibeonites. For we proceed to remark- 5. Deceit is certai,,.of ultimate detection. Hypocrisy must ere long have its veil removed. Show will not always be taken for reality. Goel knows the actual state of the heart and often makes it manifest to others. Soon did Israel discover the trick which had been practised on them. Our subject contains a warning to mere. professors of godliness. Privileges secured by appearance of conformity are only temporary. II. THE MISTAKE OF THE ISRAELITES teaches us-1. That the sen8es easily lead us astray. The mouldy bread, the damaged bottles, the cloutecl shoes seemed plain proof of the truth of the strangers' words. Many persons think all their doubts would vanish if they once saw an angel or heard the voice of the Almighty; but the irrefragable testimony might be a delusion just as much as the convincing sights beheld by the Israelites. The things touched and viewed are what they are; the error is in the conclusions drawn from them. The bread was mouldy, but .it did not warra)lt the belief that it had become so by a long journey. We must be careful in om· reasonings. • Earthquakes and pestilences do not necessarily prove God's anger, nor do they furnish testimony against the perfections of His character as a God of love. ProAperity is not conclusive eviilence of God's favour or man's desert, nor adversity of man's ill-desert and his Make1,s displeasure. In various directions the caution may be employed. . 2. The weakness of llluman wudom. All appearnd so natural that the Israelites forbore to consult the Lord. Was not their path clearly indicated? They soon repented of their haste and simplicity. And has no similar error befallen us, tlie way ~eeming so evident that we have rushed into it without due deliberation and prayer? God expects us to use the sagacity He has bestowed upon us, but not to rely upon it wholly. It must form only oue element in the juilgment reached. "0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." We are so hiassed, so influenced by inclination, hose such perverse feelings, that we are not fit to be guides to ourselves. Experience attests this fact, Scripture often asserts it, reason corroborates it, and history proves it. The pride of the Israelites was probably flattered by the notion of their fame having extended to such a distant nation. 3. The importance of seeking the counsel of the Almighty. There is the reflex influence of prayer, purifying the desires, calming the passions, renaling the mischievous nature of much that seemed desirable, aml leading to a clearer perception of principles. It cleanses "the thoughts of the heart." There is the answer granted to prayer. The mind is divinely directed, the Spirit of God fastens the eyes on particular passages of Scripture, and upon certain inclications of Providence in external circumstances. To God, nothing that concerns His chihh-en is of trivial import; we may submit to Him matters great or ~mall. " Commit thy way unto the Lord."-A. Vers. 18, 19.-An oath observed. Recapitulate the chief circumstances: The embassage from Gibeon. Described in chap. ~- as." a great city,'' _and '.' all the meu thereof mighty." Not because they were rnfer10r to the other rnhab1tcmts of the lancl did they seek to make a comprom~se with Israel. The surprise of t~ie Israelites on discoveriug the nearness of G1beon. '' Those olil shoes had easily held to carr;v them bnck to their home.". 156 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [en. IX, 1-27,