The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 321

of iinp:o,;ng, 1!1erel:y l~ment _their lot. Many keep troubling friends to do for them :wh•.t 1t. is qmte w1tbm then 1~0:wer_ to do for themselves. Some are merely mdolent-capable of work, but d1smclmed to do it. Some suffer from a feebleness which e,ists only iu their iinagination, but which prevents their working more than nc.tnal frmlt:y would. Some are merely proud, and think they ho.Ye a 1·ight to some- tlun!i more m the world than they have got. So some grumble for want of earthly comforts they are too dull to get for themselves. So some go about expecting to get by "interest .. and_" favour" what ~b~y would he wiser to seek by self-reliance and energy. So some m the realm of religion go to God and complain they have not larger delights an<l richer usefulness and more power, when as a matter of fact all these things are within their reach if they would only put' forth the powers they already ba':e. This is_ a very_general ailmen~. F~w have the energy, the earnest- ness, the fa1~1 to do WJ._tb tl101~ powers anytbmg like the whole of what is possible to them. v\ e are engmes, bmlt to work up to 80 lbs. pressure on the square inch, and we only work up to seven and a half. Seek not so much greater powers as the heart to use the powers you have. Observe secondly- II. TRUE L:IKDNESS OFTEN DECLINES TO DO FOR MEN WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR THEM• SELn:s. Wben Ephraim has the power to win as much land as he needs it is better that he be set to win it for hiinself. Men oan re.rely keep well any 'more than they can win bravely. To give Ephraim what he wants would be only to increase his indolence, his arrogance, and his weakness. To set Epbraiin to get what he wants by his own prowess, increases bis enterprise, his brotherliness, bis courage. his diligence, his self-respect. We leam best what we learn ourselves. We profit most by onr own experience. It is no kindness to grant the requests of indolence and greed. The true kindness is Joshua's-to point out how much is within the reach oftbe aspiring, and set them to conquer it for themselves. Lastly observe- III. GREATNESS SHOULD DWELL UPON ITS DUTIES RATHER THAN ON ITS CLArns. "I am a great people . . . give me," is the tone which a great multitude, besides Epbraiin, assume. " I am a great people , .. therefore ought to work and fight," is the tone they ought to use. True greatness speaks in the latter, bastard greatness in the former tone. Sometimes it is an a;,-istocracy that declares itself to be the most iinportant class in a country, and with something of Ephraim's pitiable lament presents its claims for more consideration and influence. Sometimes a priestly ord,er will, on the score of its greatness and iinportance, claiin more authority than the people are disposed to grant it. Sometimes an ignorant class, puffed up with ambition, will desire more power than it has got. Itis well to remember greatness is not gi,en us to constitute a claiin on others' services, but as a power to serve them and ourselves together. He is greatest who is servant of all, and be is chief who ministers to all. If you and Ephraiin are so great and worthy, use your greatness and power for the good of yourselves and others, and none will grudge you what in this way yon win.-G. Vers. 14-18.-Self-help. I. IT IS FOOLISH TO COMPLAIN OF OUR LOT UNTIL WE RAVE MADE THE BEST usE oF IT. The Epbraimites had not cleared their forest, yet they complained of the narrowness of their possession. We do not know the extent of our advantages till we try them. In murmuring at the privations of life we spoil the enjoyment of its blessings. Hard.ships which we ascribe to the arrangements of Providence may often be traced to our own indolence. The one talent is buried because it is not five. We have no excuse for complaints before we have made the fnll use of what we possess. This may be applied to (1) abilities, (2) opportunities of service, (3) means of self-improvement, and (4) sources of enjoyment. II. OUR LOT IN LIFE WILL IMPROVE AS IT IS USED WELL. Joshua showed to the complaining Ephraimites that if they cleared their forest and so recovered the waste land, their lot wonld thereby be doubled. The neglected inheritance runs to weeds and becomes worthless. The cultivated possession improves with cult~v:ation. Exercise strengthens the weak. If we make a good me of what opportumt1es for aervioe we now possess, these will develop new and bett,er opportunities. If wo  CB, XVII, 1-18.] THE BOOK OF JO8HUA. 269