The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 236

moonlit march over the fifteen or eighteen miles of valley intervening between tbem and _Gilgal. And, before the five kings ha".e any thought of his ap11roaoh, he nrnhes "like a ton-ent' on the foe. And such 1s the energy, the surprise of that charge, that, martial as are the habits of the enemy, they are obliged to yield. Apparently a long fight takes place, the enemy disputing every inch of ground so long as the gradual rising to the Upper Beth-boron gives them the advantage. But the sun stands still over Gibeon to let them finish the fight; and then a headlong flight down to Lo~er Ileth-horon,_ and then to the v~lley of Ajalon and the plains tha.t skirt the M:ed1ten-anean, snbJects them to terrible destruction. A great hail- storm breaks on the fugitive masses, not extending far enough eastward to affect Israel. And the moon stands over the valley of Ajalon after the sun has set to let them finish their pursuit and complete their victory. It is as fine an inst~nce of the ralue of decision, of energy, of heartiness in our work as the whole Bible gives. " What thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might." The impact of any projectile is in the ratio of its mass, multiplied by its velocity. And a thing of slight mass, but of high Yelocity, will be more effective than one of much greater mass, whose Yelocity is sluggish. So is it in the world of morals. Weight multiplied by momentum measures the power. Most of us are inefficient, because, while weighty enough, we have little or no momentum.· We languidly pursue the good, and half-heartedly oppose the evil. Unlike St. Paul, it is not one thing, but twenty-one, that we do. In everythmg decision and heartiness is needed, but in religion it is indispensable. Be cold or hot, not lukewarm. If the gospel be true, it is tremendously true; if a dream, ignore it altogether. Half-hearted fighting prolongs the contest, invites defeat, loses the benefits of victory. In march, attack, pursuit, we have an example of the supreme advantage of doing heartily whatever has to be done by us. Take a third lesson. Ill. THE GOOD FIGHT, WHEN WELL FOUGHT, ALWAYS ENDS IN VICTORY. It might have seemed a very dubious affair, this war with the nations of Canaan. The Canaanites were the English of that period: the nation leadlng the world in maritime enterprise and daring, and wealthy and strong in their successful com- merce. Israel had been for generations in slavery, debased and weakened by servitude. But against these odds on the side of Canaan there were some things to be set. 1. Immorality ~ d,estructive of cuurage. Paganism, with its debltBements, destroyed self-respect and that interest in life, home, and liberty which is the soul of patriotism. For heroism religion is an essential element. Cromwell's Ironsides, Kelson's Methodists, Havelock's regiment of Teetotallers, the power of resistance to oppression developed by religion in Holland and in Scotland, show how immediate and direct is the influence of godliness in vitalising all the manlier virtues, Conuption of character followed corruption of creed, and was followed by deteriora- tion of courage. 2. The enemy of the good has never Divine guidance. These nations were badly advised. Their true policy was a defensive one. Withm their ramparts the labour of conquering them would have been terrific and inevitably slow. All uniting, in the open they Jose the advantage of their cities "walled up to heaven," and a single disaster is a fatal one. " A good understanding have they that love God's law;" and all others unwatchful in presumption, or feverish in solicitude, lack wisdom which they need. 3. And God fights on behalf of those who fight for Him. The long dAy, the moonlight night, the destructive hail, are all Divine, however we may abate the 111iraculo116 significance of the poetic history. And they who aim at any form of good find a secret providence furthering their enterprise : many influences co- operating with them, strange providential openings, a Divine backing which, all uniting, make it that, however weak they may be, they a.re more than conquerors through Christ that loved them. " Wherefore take to yourselves the whole armour of God," and FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.-G. Vere. 8--11.-The victorv over the/foe kitnq,. The l,a,ttle against the liv11 kings OH, X, 1-48.) THE BOOK Oir JOSHUA. 179