(Joshua, chap. 22.)

This was our morning chapter in our studies of the book of Joshua. As we dwelt upon its various parts, we experienced the truth of "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Rom. 15:4); and "all these things happened unto them for ensamples " (i Cor. 10:11) is a warrant in the application of the various lessons to ourselves, and for our day. Israel under Joshua's leadership were the people of God, and typical of ourselves now.

If the first twenty-one chapters of Joshua be studied with a prayerful spirit, in the light of the above
New Testament scriptures, we will find each chapter freighted with wholesome and helpful lessons. Israel's very history, their achievements, as also their failures, are written for our learning.

The book opens with a view of the whole twelve tribes, under Joshua, entering the land of promise, and taking possession of what was theirs as the gift from Jehovah their Saviour-God. In this stage of their history we see them a united people. Weakness and defeat may be observed here and there, but they were united under the powerful influence of Joshua, following the mind and purpose of God step by step. Individuals may have sinned, as did Achan, but the whole camp is united in the discipline that the Lord had marked out for the evil of which Achan had been guilty. All this is very beautiful in a people favored of God, and brought near to Himself. This grace is seen in them until they are largely in possession of the land west of the Jordan, from south to north. Their warfare lasted many years, and was all against outside enemies- nations that were hostile to God and His people. God being with His people, the enemies were defeated one by one, until finally they "rested from war." This covers the first twenty-one chapters of the book.

After all this progress, Joshua called the two tribes and a half, whose territory was on the east side of Jordan, and commended them for their service with their brethren on the west side. Then he sent them back to their own possessions on the east side, which they had previously chosen; and as they return, they carry Joshua's blessing with them. All this is very beautiful (chap. 22:1-6). But at no time can the Lord's people say they are safe. Therefore the need of a prayerful and watchful spirit. Prayerfulness and watchfulness give a spirituality that will preserve from what would grieve the Holy Spirit, dishonor the Lord, and work havoc among the people that are to Him as the apple of His eye. Oh that God's people were always before us as a people so dear to Him!

At no times are we in more danger of failure, however, than when the Lord's favors and blessings seem to be enjoyed in profusion. The enemy (ever watching for entrance) gets his opportunity when the knowledge of our blessings fills the mind, rather than the grace of Him who bestows them. If he succeeds in this way, he turns our hearts from the One who alone is our spiritual strength, and who gives us true spiritual discernment in all things. This lesson appears again and again upon the pages of Scripture, and we all have learned it from our own history just as often.

In our chapter the lesson appears plainly. When the two and half tribes returned to their possessions, they built an altar, "a great altar, to see to" (ver. 10). As yet we are not informed what their object was in doing so, and the wise and spiritual way would be to wait until that is made known. But the tribes on the west side " heard say" about this altar (ver. 11):and here we pause to take home to ourselves to-day the needed admonition from Israel's failure.

It is written, "He that believeth shall not make haste." When the nine and half tribes " heard say'' about this altar, we observe with them an evil altogether too common in our own day, 1:e., undue
haste, evil surmisings, etc., etc., and all this before an investigation has taken place to find out the reason for what has been done. Had they not been warned as to how to proceed in cases of supposed evil on the part of any of the tribes? (Deut. 13:12-14.) But the circumstance finds them off their guard, and thus a part of the Scriptures of truth is neglected. As a result, fleshly zeal marks them instead of godly investigation-fleshly zeal, we repeat, for they "gathered themselves together at Shiloh to go up to war against them " (ver. 12).

How sad to see such a quick change from the previous chapters! The wars then were against their common enemies ; now there is a warlike spirit against their own brethren. Many might say that this was zeal for the Lord and His honor in the midst of the nation. "Come and see my zeal for the Lord," said another at an after date. But was it in either case real zeal for the Lord? The history of both will suffice to show that the zeal was a blind, disobedient one, which has so often since wrought dishonor and mischief among God's people. Their preparation for war was all based upon suspicion- "heard say." We need well to be admonished concerning the evil of haste in all matters of Christian life, and very specially in matters which concern the assemblies of the Lord's people-the unity and peace of a redeemed people.

In this case we observe God's merciful intervention, preventing an unrighteous conflict and painful disaster. Phinehas and the princes are sent across the Jordan by the rest of the tribes-not for investigation, which was the course marked out by the Scriptures already given them as their guide, but rather to chide with the two and half tribes, and reprove them (vers. 13-30)

To reprove and rebuke is a needed ministry at times, when it is clear that such is necessary; but there ought to be always the full knowledge of the evil, and the need of such a service; otherwise it may be a ministry misdirected and misapplied. Much may be said and done under the plea of faithfulness, of zeal for the Lord and His truth, of care for holiness, which at the judgment-seat of Christ may not prove to have been a ministry by the Spirit of God. Let us once more be admonished by the words, "He that believeth shall not make haste." Even a word of warning is not for the weak or feeble-minded, but rather tor the unruly.

In this history we see, first, the wrong of the haste of the ten tribes (ver. 12); second, the misapplied ministry of the ten princes-their premature admonition when they reach the two and half tribes. True, it would have been wrong for the two and half tribes to erect an altar to offer sacrifice upon. Such would have been the gravest departure from the Lord, and would have merited severe punishment. But all such surmisings were untrue, and inquiry is God's safe method of procedure; it guards from the evil of punishing the innocent-an evil only too frequent among God's people even in our day, with all these past lessons before us. With all the light we possess, what a revelation the judgment-seat of Christ will be! When every act then is seen in its true light, what self-judgment will be required- what loss suffered!

But the haste on the part of the ten tribes was, happily, not met with haste by their brethren, even
after the unscriptural and unnecessary reproof which was given. This part of the history is very sweet and refreshing amid the dangers that lay before them. It was a very critical moment, but the trial found them in a condition most commendable:"A soft answer turneth away wrath." This is sufficient proof that God was in their midst, and that He Himself was directing the two and half tribes in their answer, and their explanation why the altar was erected-the "great-altar to see to." We commend the whole answer to every reader (vers. 21-29).

The answer reveals the fact that, instead of rebellion, independency, and departure from the Lord, which merited punishment, the two and half tribes had the interests of the Lord and the whole nation as much at heart as the other tribes; and their state, and the spirit displayed, showed a sweeter and more lovely character. It commands, indeed, our admiration as we pursue it now almost four thousand years after its occurrence. As already said, it declares God was there. Trials and difficulties are not a proof that God is not with His people; but it can be rightly said He is never with a wrong, never indorses an unrighteous act, whether it be in an individual or in a company, no matter what the assumption of the individual or of the company may be. The Lord directed the answer of the two and half tribes; it annulled the hasty, warlike spirit of the ten tribes, and thus bloodshed, division and sorrow were averted. How adroitly the enemy sought then to divide God's people! Again, later on, in the early history of the infant Church, as seen in Acts and Corinthians! And in our own day, how, alas, God's people have been off their guard, and repeated over and over again the haste of the ten tribes! Their soft answer turned away wrath ; for when Phinehas and the princes heard the explanation of, and the full intent of, the altar, "it pleased them" (ver. 30), and they said, "This day we perceive that the Lord is among us" (ver. 31).

They then return to their brethren, who were awaiting the tidings on the west side of the Jordan, already prepared for war* (ver. 12); they communicated to them the result of the conference on the east side; they gave them the true meaning of what was sought by the great altar; they understood that the altar was meant to be a witness of their unity, and to guard against the very evil of independency of which they were falsely charged. *An apparent contradiction appears in ver. 33-"and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle." The New Translation (J. N. D.) reads, "and no more spake of going up against them in battle." This gives a complete harmony with ver. 12.*

All this "pleased the children of Israel" (vers. 32, 33), and thus the breach was healed, division averted, and unity preserved. Moreover, they now understood each other better than before, and God once more makes the wrath of man to praise Him. How appropriately Ps. 133 falls into line here! They could say, as the whole nation will yet say it, and as the Church in her heavenly sphere will say, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! "

The altar then was called " Ed "-that is, a "witness "; " for it shall be a witness between us that Jehovah is God." See vers. 10, 24, 27, 34.

With what fears we begin the chapter-division is in the air! but with what relief and joy we close it! Peace and unity are preserved among the people of God. Let us all be warned and admonished by the evil of haste in matters that relate to the honor and glory of God; let us beware of a mistaken zeal in professing to seek the welfare of God's beloved people, whether of individuals or of assemblies.

The Lord Jesus came not to destroy. He was the true Shepherd. He loved His sheep, and loves them still. Woe be to such as beat and scatter them! Blessed will it be if, in the day now near at hand, we get from His lips the precious words, "Well done." A. E. B.