The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 329

,lepressing influence of worldly occupa.tions a.nd the varia.tions of priva.te experience resulting from our own cha.nging moods. It stimula.tes us (1) by the direct influence of the religious exercises of pra.yer, praise, a.nd tlie rea.ding of Scripture a,nd prea.ching; (2) by mutua.l sympa.thy. V. PUBLIC WORSHIP HELPS us TO REALISE CHRrSTIAN BROTHERHOOD. The erection at Shiloh was "the htbernacle of the congi·egation." There the tribes a,ssembled together. It was to them the centre of nationa.l unity. In our worship we should forget our differences. Rich a.nd poor meet together first a.s one in sin a.nd wa.nt and helplessness, and then as one in redemption, spiritual joy, and Christia.n ser- Yice. Ko duty is more important than that of ma.intaining a spirit of Cbristia.n brotherhood (John i'I'. 20, 21). By no means is this more fully realised than by union in the deepest emotions of the spiritual life.-W. F. A. Yers. 2, 3.-Sla,ckncss. I. MUCH OF THE CHRISTIAN INHERITANCE IS NOT YET POSSESSED. (1) Multitudes of men have not yet 1·eceived the advantages of the gospel which Ql/"e freely o_ffered to all. Clnist died for the whole world; God desires the redemption of all men; all are freely invited (Rev. xxii. 17). Yet some !in on in sin, some in distress, some in unbelief. Let these know that the distri- bution of God's grace has not ceased. There is yet abundance to be given for those who seek. The festal chamber is not full. There is yet room. The door is still open (Luke xi'I'. 22, 23). (2) The Church ha.s not yet conquered the wo1·ld for Christ. He claims the whole world. So long as there are heathen nations abroad and godless men at home the work of the Church militant will be incomplete. It is foolisli to be satisfied with the triumphs of the past. We should rather lament the slow progTess of the gospel. (3) Christians have much of their inheritance in Christ not yet possessed. The half hae not been told us. No one can conceive the fulness of the riches of Christ (Isa. !xiv. 4). (a) Christians do not enjoy on earth all the blessings which they might have; (b) greater blessings are reserved for lieaven (1 John iii. 2). II. IT IS OWING TO THE SLACKNESS OF YEN, AND NOT TO THE WILL OF Goo, THAT so MUCH OF THE CHRISTIAN INHERITANCE IS NOT YET POSSESSED. Not God's will, but man's impenitence, delays his acceptance of the blessings of the gospel. Not God's will, but the Church's tardiness, hinders the spread of Christianity through the world. Kot God's will, but the Christian's weakness, preventshimfrom enjoying the full prirueges of redemption. Thie slackness to take full possession of the Christian inheritance is culpable, and arises from various ea.uses. (1) Satisfaction with the present. The Israelites became too well satisfied with their achievements before all the land was conquered. We are too readily tempted to" rest and be tLankful " before half onr work ie done. Our watchword should be " Forward" (Phil. iii. 13, 14). (2) Indolence. Even when we know that more should be done we are slothful and unwilling to rouse our energies for continued service. This may arise (a) from weariness when it shows the need of the Divine help for con- tinued exertion; or (b) from culpable remissness when it is a distinct proof of cooling zeal. (3) Habits of delay. Some seem to follow the rule of never doing to-day what can be postponed till the morrow. Every day has ~ts task. To postpone this to the morrow will binder the task of the morrow. All is ready on God's side; there is no excuse for delay. While we delay the opportunity may pass (Psa. xcv. 7J. (4) Unbelief-(a) in the need of Christ, (b) in the greatness of the Christian Llessings, (cJ in the Dfrine power, through which they ma.y be obtained.-W. F. A. '\'er. 3.-.An exhortation to advance. In eh. xiii. 1 we find an address delivered, to J osbua by Jehovah, in which he was reminded how much remained to be done ere his work was finished, and his age forbade the belief that ma.ny years would intervene before his death. To the assembled tribes of Israel the exhortation of the text was consequently given. The tribes of Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad had received their inheritance on the east of tlie Jordan, Judah occupied the south of Palestine, and Ephraim a domain in the centre, Levi was to have no special territory assigned, and seven tribes waited for the diitermination of their Aettlements, OS:. XVIII, 1-28.] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. 277