BY THE REV. JOHN MACRAE (MACRATH MOR).
IT is a great test of a man’s character to observe his conduct under trial. Affliction drives a Christian always closer to God. The unbeliever flies from God, and seeks to drown his sense of suffering, it may be in drink or some other sinful lust. Joshua went out alone, probably to seek counsel of God. Christians like to be alone; you, who know of no enjoyment except in public, know nothing yet of the enjoyment of God’s people. This armed man appeared unto him, armed for war, with a drawn sword. In time of peace, when an officer of the army goes to a party, he wears his sword by his side, but in the scabbard; this man had his naked sword in his hand. There seems to have been something marked in his appearance, a man that had power, whether for good or for evil, whether for or against them. See Joshua’s manliness, he at once challenged him, as if he said—”Whoever you may be, you shall go no further till I know what you are.” “Nay, but as Captain of the Lord’s host am I now come,” comes the answer, as much as to say—”Know your own place, Joshua; you occupy but a subordinate position, I am the Captain, Captain of your salvation, the Joshua of the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ. We see this clearly in that He permitted Joshua to worship Him. Had it been an angel only, he would not have allowed it. John tried it at Patmos, but the angel immediately rebuked him. Let us now say something about—I., The Host; II., The Captain; III., His fitness for being a Leader.
I. The Host.
They come to Christ; it does not matter what one may feel or do or give up, if he remains separate from Christ, he will be lost. They are made willing, their will is renewed (Psalm cx.). The devil is entirely given over to evil, but I do not think any man in this world is so completely like him as to choose evil because it is evil, and delight in it. They suppose that the particular evil that is before them, when they choose it, that it is really the best for them at the time, but if anyone is left to choose evil because it is evil, sin can go no further. The will of those who come renewed is to observe the difference between good and evil, and to choose the good. They consecrate themselves to Him and to His service. Like the Hebrew servant, they nail their ears to the doorpost, saying, I love thee, I love thy service. They often say, I am of no use in the world, the cause is not the better of me; I am not promoting the Lord’s glory; but this does not prevent them from setting their hand to the Lord’s work, as they have opportunity. Oh, what we need is to be emptied of ourselves, and filled with Christ.
II. The Captain.
God purposed Him to be Captain, God revealed Him. Notice the difference—God purposed Him from eternity; God revealed Him in the word of promise. When he purposed Him He was bound to Himself. When He revealed Him He was bound to His people. God ordained Him for the purpose. He gave Himself; that body which God prepared for Him, He gave for a peace-offering. He gathers them out of all quarters, not a body here and a body there; but all gathered about the centre of the Gospel. He puts arms in their hands—”Take unto you the whole armour of God.” He goes forth at their head. The breaker is gone up before them. (1) In the path of obedience, there you may always look for His help, out of it He gives no standing place. (2) In affliction. (3) Going through death. (4) Entering into glory. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, that goes further than this world. He feeds them with promises, the promises look forward for something yet to come; when it is fulfilled it is no longer a promise. What is the reason that the false faith of some is so strong and unbroken? It is not founded on a promise. That hope will perish in the pangs of death. Some people think it enough if they get to sit down at the Lord’s Table among His people; but if they have not been previously united to Christ, that will not save them. Abraham’s faith was tried; years passing and him getting old, and no son coming; but it was enough for him, God had promised. Mercy and truth went forth together. Mercy had no words, like Job’s friends when they sat silent seven days; she was silent, she had nothing but tears. But as Moses was given to be Aaron’s mouth, truth is mercy’s mouth. They are unlikely in the eyes of the world. These Israelites, will they inherit Canaan? They are more unlikely in their own eyes. “Oh! wretched man that I am.” As Captain am I now come, now when they have to fight for every inch of the land.
III. His fitness for being their Leader.
He has a right to save them. He bought them and paid for them, and man nor devil has any right to keep Him from saving them. They soon learn that they cannot go far without defiling themselves. This burdens the conscience. What does Christ do? He takes the hyssop and sprinkles the conscience with His blood, and it is cleansed from dead works to serve the living God. They are tempted, they are persecuted. We should be thankful we are not exposed to persecution unto death, to be beheaded or burnt alive; we would need more grace than we have, and yet it is true that all who will live godly will suffer persecution, each has his own kind and measure of suffering allotted to him. He is able to succour them, having been Himself tempted; but we have to be thankful Christ was tempted in all things like as we are, yet without sin. They come short of His glory in all their attempts to serve Him. They are weighed in the balance and found wanting. Christ comes and puts His merit in the balance, and they are weighed down. He is a tender, patient, merciful and faithful Shepherd.