The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 260

Ver. 28.-Victor.l/ and rest. I. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN WARFARE IS DESTINED TO END IN VICTORY. (1) Victory is promised in God's Word. From the first promise that " the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent " (Gen. iii. 15), to the latest assurance of a " crown of life '' to those who are " faithful unto death" (Rev. ii. 10), success is assured to the faithfol soldier of God. So the land was taken " according to all that the Lord said unto Moses." (2) Victory is secured by God's help. In the passage of the Jordan, the fall of the walls of Jericho, and the success of the battle-field, it is everywhere inilicated that God was aiding His people. In our spiritual warfare we are victorious because God is fighting for us (Psa. cxviii. 6), and gives us strength to fight (Paa. cxviii. 14), and because Christ has first conquered our enemies (John xvi. 33; 1 Cor. xv. 57). (3) Victory is attained throu,gh our fighting. " J osbua took the land" after bard fighting. The Christian must fight to win (Eph. vi 10, 11; 1 John v. 4). IJ. WHEN VICTORY IS ATTAINED IT WILL BE AN AMPLE COMPENSATION FOR THE IIARDSHIPS OF THE CHRISTIAN WARFAltE. (1) The/act of victory will in itself be a great reward. To have conquered sin and mastered self and to be independent of the world will be attainments full of blessing. (2) Victory will introduce us to a great inheritance. We have our Canaan to possess after the battle of life is over. Heaven will be a great inheritance tous, as (a) the home of our souls and the abode of our Father, (b) the "land flowing with milk and honey," wherein our souls will receive all needful nourishment and inspiration; (c) the place for peaceful, honour- able service. After fighting the Israelites had leisure to till the soil and tend their flocks; after our fighting will come the happy service of heaven. (3) Victory will secure to us rest from further warfare. "The land rested from war." War is always an evil, though sometimes a necessary evil. Happy the land that has " rest from we.r " I The Christian is not to live for ever in the toils and dangers of spiritual warfare. In heaven he will be free from the assaults of evil. Note: True rest is not rest from service-idleness, but rest from war-peace.-W. F. A. Ver. 28.-The promise fulfilled. It is well to note the absolute fulfilment of God's promises. That which He has done for others He will do for us, if we trust Him. All who commit the keeping of their souls and the guidance of their life to Him have a promised lo.nd-the enjoyment of which seems often so distant as to move them to despair. Here we ooe a great promise grandly redeemed. God promised safe deliverance from Egypt, safe conduct to the promised land, n.nd the possession of the whole of Canaan. And now we find Joshua took (ver. 18) "all that land, the hills and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, anu. the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same, even from Mount Halak that goeth up by Seir, down to Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon." It took him several years-seven at least-to make the conquest. Even when made, and the enemies subdued, they were still in various localities in sufficient force to dispute the possession and enjoyment of certain points of the country. But the land of Canaan had become the possession of Israel, and was to continue to be theirs for more than a thousand years to coIUe, It is a bright and conspicuous instance of God's faithfulness. Consider this fulfilment of promise. Observe- r. IT DID NOT COME AS THE YOUNG MAN HOPED. When Joshua. first came from Egypt he ha.d doubtless his roseate dreams. To him the projected conquest would seem the .easiest of all things. A journey of a few weeks, a bold entrance, a vigorous blow the strenuous efforts of a united nation, helpell by the enthusiasm of grace and tl\~ assistance of Providence-such would seem to him all that was 204 THE BOO:K OF JOSHUA. [ CH. XII. 1-24.