The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 393

'.'Yedid run well''? Le~ hi.story Rhed its beacon-light athwart the waves, remirnl- mg us of _the rocks,. and_ b1ddmg 1;1s remain in the calm open sea of the love of Go,!. (41 Cm~aider the nalc incur_red in neglr:cting the ailm·iee of the text. Folly is in pro_p?rt1on to t]1e hazard winch neglect 1?volvee. Scripture wisely employs every legitimate motive to nl'go men to adopt its plans. Threats are mentioner! a 8 well 11s promises, and punishments as well as rewar<lA. Joshua declare<! that the spurning of his counsel would result in the withdrawal of God's airl in battle (ver. 13), ancl in their visitation with all manner of evil until destmction enRnerl (vers. 16, 16). Who shall estimate the peril of encountering the wrath of God ? Even with His smile resting upon us the trials of life are hard to bear, but what if we have departed from Him and trials partake of the nature of judgments? Tme, believers are "kept by the power of God." Nevertheless, declension may cause the serious inquiry whether we have been really classed with believers. Hence the hypothetical statements and warnings of Holy Writ. It is not wise to swim on the ve1·ge of a whirlpool. Nor need we try how close to the edge of the cliff we can walk, lest we fall and there be no overhanging bough of Providence to arrest Olli" awful descent. II. PRACTICAL METHODS OF CULTIVATING THE HOLY AFFECTION E:,JOD!ED. A preliminary objection may be raised respecting the inoperativeness of a command relating to the affections. Give an order with regard to the physical powers ancl it can be obeyed ; the intellect will answer 11 call ; but love is a spontaneous product, of internal not external origin, and cannot rise at will. Such an objection over- looks the fact that affection can be influenced, if not absolutely forced, by fixing its attention upon an object, by noting the qualities in it deserving of esteem and regard. Point one man to another whom he sees casually, and no emotion is excited. But describe the man, picture him as a loving friend, generous, noble, and true, and there will be created a desire to know more of him, and acquaintance will ripen curiosity into love. Accordingly we recommend (1) Frequent meditation upon the character of God. He is the embodiment of every perfection. He is life, light, and love. If, when we observe traits of goodness in our fellow-creatures, our hearts go out to them in loving sympathy, what must be the fei-rnncy of affection produced by contemplating the fount of goodness as it resides in the Almighty. In men it is but a shallow stream, often dry when most we need it, subject to widest fluctuations and to all changes of temperature, but in God it is an exhaustless perennial flood of all-powerful holiness and benevolence. We cannot let our minds dwell too much on the measureles.s perfections of the Deity. Let us stand upon the mount with Moses while God passes by, revealing His glory in His excellent name. To shut out the world for a season, and ascend in contemplation to the glorious temple, "where dwells eternal love," will be like e:s:changing the murky atmosphere of the city for the pure, bracing, inspiring Alpine mountains. We shall return strengthened for work and warfare, less enchanted by the world's allurements. And yet does the Almighty seem for 1·emoved from Olli' ken. ancl do we need an assUl·ance that He is one whom doubting finite minds can think of with delight? He has provided us with a clear portrait of Himself, His only-begotten son, "the brightness of His glory," the lustre of Deity shaded, that our weak eyes may gaze uninjured, living amongst men, and displaying all the qualities that can command our highest, deepest reverence nnd love. (2) A constant passillg in review of fQ/Vours bestowed. Joshua reminded the people that every promise Irn,l been fulfilled (vers. 14, 15). The Lord had vanquished the enemy (ver. 3), the lan,l was partitioned, each tribe was enjoying its _inheritance. If the_y adhered to CJ:od, memory would be prophetic. Surely gratitude wouhl const~·am them to yield loving service unto Him who had done ~nd would do g1:ea'. thmgs for them. .~ml each has but to survey his present posit10n, to let the eye light on many a proot of love Divine. Temporal prosperity, true-hearted friends, the delight_s of honest labour and rest, health and strength, knowledge and taste, for some of these or a hundred other blessings has every one to thank the author of " every good and perfect gift." Be it noted that mercies augment love,_ since they teach us plainly the goodness of th_e Giver. They are to us the revelation of His character, and 1t 344 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [en. xxul. 1-HI.