The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 235

dwell on it. Dean Stanley treats this battle as the Marathon of the religions history of the world. It was the crisis in which the hosts who were uncon- sciousl:)' to some ext~nt, fighting for truth, right~otisness, progress, and' liberty, met with those fightmg, to some extent unconsc10usly, for a depraved religion, licentious morals, for retrogression and decay. Like the siege of Leyden, or the defeo.t of the Arma<ln, such a battle means for more than is obvious on the surface. 'l'he sacred cause of man is involved in it. And it is worth our while to linger over some of its lessons. Mark at least these. I. Goo USES OUR EFFORT TO FULFIL Hrs PROMISES. Israel was apt, perhaps, to expect the possession of the land to come too easily. Jericho was got by a miracle, Ai by stratagem, Gibeon by submission ; and perhaps the ease of these successes led them to dream dre~ms of gaining the whole land without an effort. But all the steps of progress are not to be so easy. Miracles come only where weakness needs them. In the degree in which they develop vigour and self-reliance, the miraculous element in their experience will grow less. Always sufficient-there will never be more help of God than is needed. And so with the confidence and vigour developed by their successes, comes greater strain upon their powers. The nations of southern Canaan gather together to oppose their progress : to gain possession of that Gibeon which commands the entrance by the pass of Beth-boron to the land. And at once "foemen worthy of their steel" confront them. God will fulfil His promise to give them the land of Canaan; but He will employ their effort and their prowess to realise the fulfilment of His promise. And to some extent by their efforts is His promise fulfilled. Such ie all life. It is the heir of promises which, how- ever, require our effort for their fulfilment. (a) For instance: Truth is a land of promise. Only when God gives can we get it. "The Spirit of tmth " alone can impart it. It is a land flowing with milk and honey-the home of God's elect. But though thus a land of God's promises, and in a special sense His gift, it comes not to the inert or the supine-to the critics that are at ease in Zion. It comes to the fighters only. When we face bravely all lies, strive fearlessly to see and grasp and own the truth, get lodgment for it in the heart by obeying it, strive against doubts that rise within us, and fears disabling m, then do we gain "the promised possession." (b) Salvation is God's promise, an<l a Divine gift in all its elements. Obviously it is beyond our power to compass it. Only the God that made us can mend us. And atonement, grace, repentance, faith, perseverance to the end, are all God's gift. But there is the battle of Beth-boron at the outset of every Christian life, and many a conflict afterwards, a strait gate to begin with, and a narrow way to follow. And if we do not make the effort and fight for the attainment of what we desire, we shall not find it. (c) Characte1· is another Canaan. A thing of promise, but only reached by effort. Daily deeds of self- denial lead to it; nnd daily conflicts with doubts and disinclinations. (d) Useful- . ness is, perhaps, the grandest of all God's promises. It is that in which we most resemble God. Its joys are the likest of any to those of the everlasting home. It comes not to the dreamer, but to the fighter. The abolition of slavery was e. fight. Mary Carpenter's triumph in getting a place for Ragged Schools, Industrial Schools, and Reformato1·ies in English legislation, required thirty years of effort. When the Church faces the abounding drunkenness of the land, she will find God will help her to destroy it, but that His help will be oonditioned on a tremendous effort. Do not believe in salvation made easy. It is always simple, it is never easy. The possession of every Canao.n is a Divine promise, and needs Divine power; but one of the conditions of its fulfilment is the forth-putting of human effort. Take a second lesson. II. THE HEARTIER THE EFFORT IS, THE MORE SURELY AND EASILY SUCCESS WILL COME. Joshua saw the need for action, had God's guidance in it, and then with an energy which had something Napoleonic in it, threw himself into his task. Was Gibeon threatened? within a few hours of his knowing it, Israel is on the maI"Ch. Doubtless there were counsellors advising caution, consideration, and delay. Joshua had gathered the wisdom, but not the weakness, of old age, and )tnew the value of energy. That night the host is marshalle<l for its uphill, JOSHUA, N 178 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [OH, X, 1-48,