FRIEND or foe? Helper or hinderer? Strengthener or weakener?
It may be clearly seen in the ways of God that “light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” It is on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect that He shows Himself strong, and He is a “rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” It is the diligent soul that is “made fat.”
But the salvation of the soul and the prosperity of the same are different matters. Through redemption we are brought to God quite apart from any question of diligence on our part, but to enjoy Him is another thing. Again, fitness for heaven, and fitness to serve Him on earth, are different things. Delivered from the authority of darkness we assuredly are, yet fitness to be used to the deliverance of others is different again. If it be desired that we should be “vessels meet for the Master’s use,” it is evident that unfitness may exist.
The foregoing train of thought has been suggested by the consideration of the question at the head of this paper, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” Joshua was the speaker (John 5:13). “And it came to pass when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan, from before the children of Israel, until they were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them anymore because of the children of Israel” (Josh. 5:1). This crossing of Jordan takes it out of the enemy, so to speak.
This is followed by circumcision, as to which see what Paul teaches (Col. 2:11), and read “the putting off of the body of the flesh;” it is the root and not the branches of the evil tree that is spoken of as put off. Then, the old corn of the land is eaten, “neither had the children of Israel manna anymore.” The manna is wilderness food, and prefigures Christ in incarnation and humiliation; while “the old corn of the land” points to Him as the risen and ascended One. How profoundly instructive is all this to a believer in Christ.
After Gilgal, and subsequent to eating of the old corn of the land, the captain of the Lord’s host appears. Abraham, “the friend of God,” was not privileged with manifestations of the Lord’s presence while increasing in wealth in Egypt. No tent or altar there! not until returning to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, he calls upon the name of the Lord. Though the enemies’ heart had melted, they were there still, and though it appeared an easy matter to thrust them out, we know as a matter of fact Israel never did. At Ai we see how soon the adversaries gained heart again, for was there not an Achan in the camp? The people, flushed with pride, took credit to themselves for a victory God had given, and these are the things to give heart to the enemy. How pathetic are the words of the Lord (Ps. 81) “Oh that my people had hearkened unto Me!...I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned My hand against their adversaries.... He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.” Plainly, Joshua feels the seriousness of his position.
His question implies that there is something that might be lost. No mere trifle at stake. To let an enemy in who feigns to be a friend may do more harm than many enemies known as such. We can imagine the result of a battle when one of the belligerents, does not trouble to distinguish between friend and foe.
It will be understood that we are writing in a practical way. While all true Christians are in Christ and over Jordan, yet conflict is not over, and that with wicked spirits too — “wicked spirits,” active in evil, and who stop at nothing as far as they themselves are concerned. What a comfort it must have been to Joshua to hear in answer to his question, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? Nay; but as captain of the Lord’s host am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face, and did worship; and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto His servant?” This is beautiful. We would commend this portion of Scripture to those who lead or aspire to do so.
It behooves us all to sing with lowliness and and fervency―
“Lead on, Almighty Lord.
Lead on to victory;
Encouraged by Thy blessed Word,
With joy we follow Thee.”
Joshua falls at the Lord’s feet, and worships. Oh for more of this! May we give Him His place, and follow Him. Victory will then be ours. If, on the other hand, we are actuated by a spirit of self-exaltation, defeat and confusion must inevitably follow.
In the fable of the serpent we are told that the tail quarreled with the head, and instead of being forced always to follow, insisted that it should take a turn at leading. This the tail undertook to do, and as it moved forward, at all danger it tore itself terribly, and the head, which was obliged against nature to follow a guide which could neither see nor hear, suffered likewise in its turn.
Surely it is not in vain that the Scriptures teach: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder, yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” W. R. C.