The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 297

immortnl. But there were besides, special rewards. (a) Accumte light. Good judg- ment grew from it. Knowledge of the possible, a grnnd self-measurement, in which no Yan it- exaggera.t.ed nor dismay diminished powers marked him. "A good under- standing have all they (.bat loye Thy law." ,valk with God and the light in which you walk will illumine common as well as sacred things. (b) Providential mercies attend him. ,Yith Joslnrn,, he is only man who !ms length of days sufficiently given him to lead from Egypt to Canaan. Natural influences of devotion tend to preserYe life, ana they were in his case intensifietl by special providence. It may be said with all reverence and truth derntion saves numberless lives by preserving men from worry, folly, brooding, and needless quarrelling. God never fails to set His seal on goodness. "Corruption wins not more than honesty." (c) Justice is done him in the juclgment of his fellows. When he protested against the evil report of the other spies tile people "sought to stone him with stones." But now all the princes of Judah are proud to come with him to support his prayer ! He has the opporLunity of justifying himself and bis report, and be does it grandly. (aJ THE PLACE WHERE HIS FAITH TRIUll!PHED OVER FEAR BECOMES THE PLACE OF HIS IN- IlERITANCE. He believed Hebron could be won. He has liberty to win it and permission to keep it for himself when it is won. It bad fallen to his lot to survey that district especially, and although three tribes of giants were there, yet he was fear- less. That fastness against which his valow· would have led his brethren becomes his own possession. Nat only bis in title and grant, but his in possession. Is there not something typical here? All things that threaten and oppose become service- able when we face them bravely. That which threatens to destroy becomes a quiet resting-place and peaceable habitation. The enemies become the servants, the hindrances the helps, terrors change to fountains of refreshment. Let us be braver, refusing to despair, and refusing to shrink from difficulty. The same Sanour rules now as then, calls us to noble, and therefore difficult, duties. There are lots of children of Anak still ; fear them, and you doom yourself to wilderness wanderings and a dishonourable grave. Meet them, and you conquer them easily. Shame and reproach for Christ are children of Anak ; the fear of falling is another ; a corrupting taste and an indolent inclination is another. Christ bas· grand rewards and blessed helps for such as face these. As to Caleb, so always, He gives ultimate inheritance and present rewards. Let us not miss these, but seek to secure them with all our beart.-G. Yer. 15.-" And the land had rest from war." Rest from war. I. REST FROM w .lit IS OKE OF THE GREATEST EARTHLY BLESSINGS. Even if war be a necessity it is a fearful necessity. Rarely are the advantages of a successful war equal to the cost of it. Rest from war affords occasion (1) for the undisturbed enjoymont of the fruits of the earth and unbroken social and domestic life; (2) for the practice of peaceful works-the cultivation of science, art, and literature ; (3) for progress in political institutions and the development of civilisation; (4) for the extension of Lenevolent efforts and of the missionary work of the Church. Therefore peace should be sought for in prayer and enjoyed with gratitude. _ II. UNIVERSAL REST FROM WAR WILL BE ONE OF THE CHIEF FRUITS OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL, Christ is the Prince of Peace. The Messianic age is prophetically described as an age of peace (Isa. x.i. 6-9; Luk~ ii. 14). We must look to Christianity for the means of abolishing war, because this only can conquer (1) the injustice, (2) the ambition, and (3) the unruly passions which are ~he causes of most wars. War can only cease when right and justice are respected liy nations e.nd the brotherhood of e.ll mankind is uni4ersally recognised. These are morol conilitions. Education, trade conventions, political schemes will not produce them. 'fbey are the h.ighest fruits of Christian principle. III. SPIRITUAL REST Fil.OM INWARD WARFARE IS SECURED TO THE CHRISTIAN BY CHRIST. (lJ The Christian must first fight against indwelling sin, temptation, the evil of the world (1 Tim. vi. 12). Earth is our battle-field; heaven our Cano,e.n of rest. (2) The Christian will be aided by Chrut fighting for him and in him. Jesus ii the New Testament Joshua, He haij conquered the great enemy. He is th@  THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. 243