The Ways of Providence - Christadelphian Studies

146 THE WAYS OF PROVIDENCE.
are the excellencies thus calling forth the commendation
of the Lord, but such as require the exercise of the
qualities enjoined on Joshua—strength, courage, enterprise,
fortitude ? The promise " I will give to every one
of you according to your works," strongly points in the
same direction.
In the apostolic letters, there are constant exhortations
in the same sense: " Stand fast in the faith, quit you
like men, be strong."—(I. Cor. xiii. 16). " Finally, my
brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might. Put on the whole armour of God, . . . that
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins
girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness."—(Eph. vi. 10-14). "Beware of dogs,
beware of evil workers, beware of the concision."—
(Phil. iii. 2). " It was needful for me to write unto you
to exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the
faith that was once delivered to the saints."—(Jude 3).
Such are a few of the New Testament inculcations upon
all believers of the spirit of courage, which was inculcated
upon Joshua in the arduous work of the subjugation of
the land of Canaan.
In the execution of the enterprise committed to him,
Joshua evinced the circumspection exhibited by Moses
in the cases considered last chapter. He was told at the
outset that God had given Israel the land (Josh. i. 2-11).
Instead of presuming upon the information and waiting
passively for the divine performance, he set to work
to adopt the means of bringing about what God had