The Pulpit Commentary — Deuteronomy — Section 156

Y crs. 12-26.-Reward in propo,tion to arduous service, The enterprise upon which the Jews were entering was one of prodigious difficulty. They had to contend at the same time with stalwart human foes, and with the internal foes of evil lust. Here was n splendid fielcl for eternal renown. In proportion to the difficulty of the enterprise would be the glory of success. I. OBSERVE THE DISCOURAGING ASPECTS CF THE UNDERTAKING. 1. Their adversaries v,e1·e more numerous than they. The adhesion of numbers to a particular side naturally excites enthusiasm. Yet, in war, unless order and discipliue be maintained, mere numbers have contributed to defeat. 2. The Canaanites were actually in possession. They could, therefore, choose their military positions, and felt that they were fighting for their altars and their homes. 3. Tl,e Hebrews were the subjects of internal fears. Their fathers had actually refused to fight with the giant races of Canaan, and had turned back ngain into the desert. The ha.bit of fearless cournge was not suddenly cng:cndered: it was a growth. 4. The Hebrews had also a lingering lust for the costly things devoted to idolatry. To suppress their own concupiscence was as arduous as to withstand the Amorites. Hence, on many occasions, their hearts counselled compro- mise and alliance. 5. They could anticipate only tardy results. If there had been the prospect of swift progress of triumph-the rapid march from victory to victory- they could have braced themselves up for a brief campaign. But they knew that slow processes of siege, with its privations and exposures, were essential. God had fore- warned them that he would not drive out the heathen suddenly, lest other evils should ensue. '.l.'hey had to contend with their own impatience. 6. The necessity for extermi- 1,ation added to the difficulty of the war. If, when the Canaanites had suffered defeat in two or three pitched battles, the Hebrews had been permitted to accept a surrnnder and make them tributaries, their task had been comparatively easy. But the command of Jehovah was unmistakable: Israel was bound to destroy their foes, "with a mighty destruction," till they were consumed. So neither can we have peace until every sin within us is completely annihilate.d. II. OBSERVE TUE ENCOURAGING ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK. 1. God's immeasurable migld. The visible features of the undertaking were depressing enough; but fail h could discover an invisible .Ally, who was more than a match for all opposition. If we can only realize that God is on our side, we shall be confident of victory. 2. God's 1,ast deliverances should assure_ us for th_e future.. What an unchanging ~o~ has d?ne for us, he can and will do agam. Ommpotence 1s never exhausted. It 1s 1mposs1ble fur God to he inconsistent with himself. 3. God's plain promises of help. If we can ouly be absolutely sure of a promise from God, we may set at defiance every fear, and calm! v face every foe. " He is not a man, that he should lie." 4. Proofs that God is even ;,ow present. "The Lord thy God is among you." If we would only rub off from our eyes the drowsiness of unbelief, we might see the tokens of God's presence on ;,very side-the footprints of his feet, as he leads our way. The Good Shepherd nlways ~oes before his sheep. 5. In God's service the meaner forms of life often become e_(licient allies. The locusts have been commissioned to do service for God. In Egypt, flies and lice formed a brigade in his army. So now also wasps and hornets were sent UH, VII, 1-26.] Tim BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 145