The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 405

gathering of the Israelites may remind us of the purposes for which we assemble ever)" Lord's day. We come- I. To MAKE SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF OURSEL'l'ES BEFORE Goo. Alwe.ys in the presence of the Almighty, yet do we on such occasions "draw nigh" to Him. The ,rnrld. with its cares and temptations, is for a season excluded. We leave it to hold more immedi_ate intercourse with om· heavenly Father. \Ve approach to pay the homage that 1s His due from us. S\U'ely those who plead that they ce.n worship in the woods and fields n.s well as in God's house, in solitude as in society, forget that the honour of Jehovah demands regular, public, united recognition. \Ve have to consider His glory, not only om· individual satisfaction. "I will give Thee thanks in t-he great congregation." It is our p1'ivilege also to proffer our requests, to implore the blessings essential to om· welfare. Il. To LISTEN To THE \Voao OF Goo. We ha'l'e the "lively oracles," the revela- tion of God to man. It behoves us to give reverent attention thereto. In business or at home other matters me.y distract our attention; here we can give ourselves wholly to the "still small voice." It may instruct, inspire, rebuke, and comfort. The ntterance of God's messenger claims a hearing e.s the message from God to Olli' souls. •· Thus saith the Lord" (ver. 2). The speaker may (1) recall the past to our remem.brance. Joshua renewed God's dealings with His people, speaking of their call (ver. 2). deliverance from bondage (ver. 5), guidance (ver. 7), succour in battle (vers. 9-11), and possession of a goodly land (ver. 13). Such e. no.rre.tive is fruitful in suggestions ; provocative of gratitude, self-abasement, e.nd trust. (2) State clearly the present position. Acquainted with God and the rival heathen deities, it was for the Israelites to make deliberate choice of the banner under which they would henceforth enrol themselves. In God's house Christians are taught to regard themselves as "strangers and pilgrims,'' e.s "seeking a better country," as those who are "on the Lord's side." If they will they mo.y turn be.ck and desert the Master whom hitherto they have followed. There must be "great searchings of heart." (3) Briefly sketch the future. Religion does not confine itself to the narrow region of present circumstances ; it looks far a.head, desires no man to take a lee.p in the do.rk, but rather to weigh ca.lmly the respective issues dependent upon the actions of to-day. None who have experienced the tendency of earthly occupations to absorb, to engross the interest, will deny the advantage accruing from the quiet contemplations of the sanctuary, where it is possible to calculate correctly afar from the bustle of the city, where on wings of the spirit we rise to an altitude that dwarfs the loftiest objects of worldly ambition, e.nd brings heaven and its glories nearer to our view. III. To RE-CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO Goo's SERVICE. We remain the same persons and yet are continually changing. Like the particles of the body, so our opinions, affections, &c., are in unceasing flux. To dedicate ourselves a.fresh is no vain employment. It brightens the inscription, ''holiness unto the Lord," which time tends to efface. Are not some idols still in our dwellings ? some evil pro- pensities indulged, which an exhortation mo.y lead us to check? To keep the feast we cast out the old leaven. Man is the better for coming into contact with a holy Being. The contrast reveals bis imperfections and quickens his good desires. CONCLUSION. If inclined to say with the men of Beth-shemesh, "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God ? " (1 Sam. vii. 20) let us think of Christ, who has entered as our Forerunner into the Holiest of all. In His name we may venture boldly to the throne of grace. Some dislike the services of the sanctuary because they speak of the need of cleansing in order to appear before tbe Almighty. Men would prefer to put aside gloomy thoughts and to stifle the consciousness that all is not right within. But does not prudence counsel us to make our peace with God now, to "seek Him while He may be found," clothed in the attribute of mercy, instead of waiting for the dread day when we must all appear before the judgment- see.t, when it will be nseleBS to implore rocks and mountains to hide us from the presence of Him that sits upon the throne? Behold Him now not as o. Judg:e desirous to condemn, but as a Father who hath devised means whereby H~s banished ones may be recalled, who waits for the return of the prodigal-yea, will discern Him e.fe.r off, and hasten to m.eut him in love.-A, Ctl. !I.XIV, 1-28,] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA.