The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 406

Vera. 14, 15.-A rightful choice urged. The most solemn engagement we can make is to bind ourselves to be the servants of Jehovah. Such a bond not even ?eath dissolves, it is entered into for eternity. 'fhere e.re periods, however, when i~ becomes ~s to ronder t~10 meaning of the covenant, and to renew onr protesta- tions of fidelity. fo consider the exhortation of Joshua here recorder! will benefit o.like ~he young convert and the aged believer, e.nd may lead to a decision those "haltmg between two opinions." I. ~ AP!EAL FOR HEARTY RE-DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF Goo. (]) It.~ necessity arises from the proneness of man to settle down upon his lees, neglecting the watchfulness observed on his first profession of religion. Enthusiasm cools; men sleep and tares are sown among the wheat; the Christian athlete rests content ~th the laurels ~!ready gained; the warrior, he.ving defeated the enemy, e.llows him time_ to gather his forces for ~nother battle. The temple was beautifully cleansed, but mattention has allowed it to grow filthy, e.nd it needs a thorough renovation. (2) Its l~ading motive is gratitude for Divine goodness in the past. How skilfully Joshue., m the name of Jehovah, enumerates the chief national events wherein His mercy had been conspicuous. Brethren, review the past I Your mercies have been numberless, like the drops of the river flowing by your side. If you can tell the stars, then may you catalogue the blessings you have received. The retrospect teaches the character of your God, and may inspire you with hope for the future. Reverence the Almighty, and your highest expectations will not be disappointed but far surpassed. (8) Its method prescribes severance from idolatry and a sincere determination to follow the Lord fully. Self-examination will reveal many sins still cherished in the heart, like the gods which Israel had e.llowed to remain in the camp. It were well for us, like David, to go in and sit before the Lord (2 Sam. vii. 18). In the presence of Him who has loaded us with benefits temporal and spiritual, our vision will be clarified, and we shall be filled with an earnest desire to "cleanse ourselves from e.ll filthiness of the flesh and spirit." All avowals of a change of heart a.re to be distrusted which a.re unaccompanied by evident renuncia- tion of evil he.bits. The outward act not only affords an index of the inward feeling, but also materially contributes to its strength. II. AN ALTERNATIVE PRESENTED, Notwithstanding e.ll that had been done for the Israelites, some of them might deem it "evil,'' unpleasant, irksome, laborious to serve the Lord. Hence the option of forsaking Him, and bowing before the gods whom their fancy should select. The alternative suggests that, in the opinion of the speaker, (1) some kind of service is inevitable. Without acknowledging some superior powers, the Israelites could not remain. Absolutely fre~ and independent man cannot be, though his idol me.y assume any form or character. In every 1reast there is some predominating principle or passion, be it piety, morality, intellec- tualism, iestheticism, or love of selfish pleasure. (2) The freedom of the 1cill is seen vn the power of choice. Choose man must; but he can choose what seems bes~ to him. God has a, right to demand Olll' homage; but He i~ content to let us decide for ourselves the equity of His claims. He appeals to the Judgment rnd the conscience. He makes His people "willing in the clay of His . powert not by ~nchaining their wills and constraining obedience, but by appropriate mot1Yes ~nd mducements, lee.ding them to consider it their glory to lay themseh·es at His feet "Who then is willing to consecrate this service this day unto the Lorcl? ". (_l Chron xxix. 5). Freedom of choice is too frequently a beautiful ancl dar:gerous gift, which, like e. sword in the hands of a child, injmes its possessor. Yet we are unable to divest ourselves of the responsibility that attaches to free agency. Some plan of life is ruling us, even if it be a resolve to live aimlessly. We ~a:i: deliberately weigh our decision, bringing to bear upon our co~pe.rison of conflictrng clai~s all the strength of our moral nature e,ncl power of cl1scernme?-t, o~ ,~e may refuse to face the points at issue, and let our juclgmen~ go by cl~fanlt, imagmmg that we shall thus escape the onus of a, formal determination; but ~ the latter case, no less than in the former, we have made our choice, and a.re serVlllg some m11ster, though we recognise it not. The alternative indicates (8) that n~utrality and compromise are each impo.ssible. If God be not the object of adoration, then any occupant of the 85B THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. (011. XXIV. 1-28,