The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 364

procln,iming the truth in the midst of foes n,nd persecutors. But rest is not idleness, 011rn11l en,se. 'fhe Israelites he.d still their proper work to do. But they were not to1·mented by the constant need to tmnsport themselves their wives and children n,nd tbefr be.gge.ge, to 11 different residence. The Christian has obt~ined peace of conscience, rest of soul, by ~-eposing i~ Christ for security. (3) The text speaks of vwto1·y, or rest from conflict. The mhab1t11nts of Ce.nae.n had been defeated in several pitched battles. Many were sle.in, 11ncl others reme.inecl scattered in small groups through the Janel. The period of warfare necessary to acquire possession was at an encl. "There sto6d not a man of all their enemies before them," &c. Aml victory is another blessing which Goel grants the believer. Satan bas been driven from the citadel, and the rightful king installed. Sin staggers under a mortal wound. The contest may be long and sharp. The agonisecl son! cries, ",vimt must I do ? " Hopes and fears struggle for the mastery, passions fierce rencl the breast, the thunders of Sinai roll, temptations darken the sky. Bnt the radiance of the cross, the glory of the risen Saviour, the brightness of the ascension cloud, these dissipate the gloom, and the believer shouts, Victory '. Victory ! "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory throngh our Lorcl Jesus Christ." Hencefo1·th the cha.meter of the fight is changed. The enemy may not be com- pletely extirpated; he may be left to prove the Christian, who has only to be true to his Loru, and the country shall be reduced to entire subjection. All the equip- ment, guidance, and succour requisite are provided ; he may go from strength to strength, and if not triumphant, the blame is attributable to himself alone. II. SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS upon the text. (1) The Autho1· of our blessings must be held in constant remembrance. Four times in three verses is the name of the Lord repeated. Herein lies the distinction between morality and religion. We are bnt bee.then, if we speak of warring against evil, expelling selfishness, and slaying vice without acknowledging the impulse derived from on high. We are not Christians unless we ascribe the merit of the victory to the Lorcl, '' Thon hast redeemed us by Thy blood." (2) Blessings are all the sweeter from contrast with p1·evious trials. Poverty teaches thankfulness for riches, labour enhances sub- sequent rest. It is the lame me.n healed that leaps and runs in the joy of his new- found powe1·s. Angels can never know the delight of excl~iming, "·whereas I was blind, now I see." In thia way will God recompense the afflicted. The pained in body will be overjoyed to experience ease. The desolate will understand the comfort of sympathy and association with like-minded saints. These vagrant Israelites, harassed by perpetual marching and warfare, estimated highly the privilegA of e. restful settlement. And to any struggling with clifliculty, we say, " Hereafter it shall delight thee to remember these thy labours." The veteran soldier will talk with honest ·pride of his wounds, and the traveller of his fatigues. (3) Reminded of two truths that a1·e like sunbeams in the word of God. The Lord is mindful of His oath, and able to redeem it to the very letter. "There hath not failed ought of any good thing. . . . all came to pass.'' How often the Israelites murmured because of the length of the way, were tempted to think the promised land a delusive mfrage, that it was better to return to Egypt wilh its certain bondage, but also certain leeks and bread. The report of giants afielcl o,erwhelmed them with clisme.y. They wouhl not look at the stars in the sky, the power of God and His covenant faithfulness. Now, in a class at school, what the teacher says to one is intended for the information of all. Ancl what the Almighty bas done to one individual or nation is for the instruction, refreshment, consolation of all. Unbelief is ever ready to lodge suspicion in om breasts. "H":,th Goel forgotten to be gracious?" The holiest men have known seasons of despom1ency. Shut up in tbe ark they believe they are safe, but the floods are all around, and the time of release is long in coming. If tempted to doubt the execution of God's plans, we must rise above the crowd, and from the tower behold the growth and grancl pro- portions of the city. Withdraw a little, a_nd tr;v to obtain a co~prehensirn gl.tnce at history past and present, aml your ~a1th will_ be confirmed m the accomplish· ment of the Almighty purposes concernmg mankmd. Order w1l) be. educed out of fe.nciecl confusion. The building of yo1u· faith cannot fall. Seize its pillars a.nd 812 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA, [ou. xxr. 1-45,