The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 416

Vers. 19-21.-A strict master. Great as was Joshua's anxiety that the Israelites should renew their covenant with the Almighty, he would not secure this end by concealing the rigorous natura of the service it involved. Instead of accepting immediately the people's ready response (ver. 18) to his appeal, he proceeded to speak of Jehovah in stern, almost chilling, language. True religion is honest, doEs not gloss over the requirements which will be insisted on, nor seek to entrap men by fair, smooth promises of an easy rule. Jesus Christ spoke of the necessity of taking up the cross, of leaving home and friends, of enduring hatred, persecution, and trouble, so that none could afterwards complain of being deceived about the requirements and difficulties of discipleship. Men who undertake an enterprise with eyes open are the more likely to persevere; they have already afforded a proof that they are not to be daunted by the prospect of labour and hardship. I. THE CHARACTER OF GOD, AND THE KIND OF SERVICE HENCE EXPECTED. 1. He is holy, and consequently demands abstinence from sin. There is in Him entire rectitude of attribute, both in essence and in exercise. The seraphim cry, "Holy is the Lord of Hosts." His vesture is spotless, and He expects His servants to attend Him in uniform unstained (see Levit. xix. 2). Also note the incidents of Moses at the burning bush, Nadab and Abihu consumed for offering unhallowed fire, anrl the men of Beth-shemesb constrained to exclaim, "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? " The sinlessness of Jesus proclaims Him Divine, and sometimes evokes the petition, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord." God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and condemns every act that is incon- sistent with the relations in which we sto.nd to Himself, to our fellow-creatures, and the material world. 2. He is jealous, and therefore exacts whole-hearted allegiance. Annexed to the se~ond _commandment ~as a stateme:it of J ehov;ah's jealousy, which could not permit His_ glory to be paid to grave~ =ages. ,, hen the tables of the law were renewed rt was expressly affirmed, The Lord whose name is Jealous is a jealous God." The word means, glowing with heat, hence the Almighty is ~ompared to a "consuming fire " that subdues eve_ry work of ma~. Idolatry was the sin to which Israel wns prone, and every prostrs.~10n at _the shrrne of an idol was a, derogation from the honou1· due to God, and excited His mdrgna-  368 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [ CIT. XXIV. 1--28.