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TOPIC: Pink, Arthur - Gleanings in Joshua (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 13.5-Victory at Gibeon (Concluded) 10:1-43
Other Subjects in this Topic:
Gleanings In Joshua
13. Victory At Gibeon (Concluded)
Joshua 10:1-43
Challenged
One or two details m the closing verses of chapter 10 which lack of space prevented a consideration of in our last issue, must be noticed here. First, it is blessed to observe that all which is recorded from verse 28 onwards manifests how fully the faith expressed by Joshua in verse 25 was vindicated. There he had encouraged the captains of his men of war, for as they placed their feet upon the necks of the five conquered kings of the Amorites, he boldly said unto them, "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight." What implicit confidence in the living God did he there display! There is nothing in the context to show that Israel's leader had received a recent assurance from his Master to that effect: rather do we consider that his heart was resting upon that word he had long ago received through Moses-"Thine eyes have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto these two kings [namely Og king of Bashan, and Sihon of the Amorites, who opposed Israel in the wilderness and were overthrown]: so shall the Lord do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest" (Deut. 3:21).
There can be no doubt that that promise became the "sheet anchor" of Joshua when he came to be elevated to the position of commander-in-chief of Israel's forces. He had "mixed faith" with the same (Heb. 4:2) and it became the stay of his soul until his arduous and dangerous task had been completed. He had already received more than one definite "earnest" of the Lord's making good that word: Jericho and Ai had fallen before them, and the five kings of the Amorites had been utterly routed. But much heavier fighting now lay before them. They had barely made a beginning, and far more yet remained to be accomplished. But Joshua had no doubts, no fear of the outcome. His trust was in the Lord of hosts, and he was not afraid to commit himself before others. Fully assured of the Divine fidelity, he boldly avowed his confidence therein before and unto his brethren. What an example for Christian leaders to follow! "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad" (Ps. 34:2). The confident language of those who are well acquainted with the Lord is an inspiration to those of their brethren of less experience. They who have proved the Lord's goodness should give free expression thereto that others may be confirmed in their trust of a faithful God. Thus it was here with Joshua.
"And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day" (Josh. 10:32). That detail marks a difference from the other Canaanitish towns captured by them. Libnah (v. 30), Eglon (35), Hebron (37) and Debir (39) were apparently mastered in a single attack; but not so Lachish. Spiritually, that teaches the Christian that some of his lusts are more powerful than others, and require a longer and more determined effort on his part to subdue them. And, too, an initial failure to enter into possession of a particular portion of our inheritance must not deter us from making a second effort to do so. Ellicott pointed out that it appears from other scriptures too that Lachish was a fortress of considerable strength. When Sennacherib king of Assyria "came up against all the fenced cities of Judah" (2 Kings 18:13), although he personally "laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him" (2 Chron. 32:9), yet he had to abandon his attempt to reduce it (2 Kings 19:7, 8). At a later date, when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah in the reign of its last king, Lachish was one of the two places which were the last to be conquered: "for these defensed cities remained of the cities of Judah" (Jer. 34:7).
Our reason for here calling attention to the above historical fact is twofold. First, because it supplies a striking illustration of the Divine inspiration of the Bible from its minute accuracy and consistency. Those three passages, though lying so far apart, agree in showing that Lachish was a city of considerable strength and one which was more than ordinarily difficult to capture. It is one of innumerable evidences of the authenticity or genuineness of Holy Writ, which by silent testimony bears witness to its perfect harmony. This argument, drawn from unmistakable coincidence without design, will have greater weight with those best qualified to weigh evidence. In the mouths of three independent witnesses (Josh., the writer of 2 Chronicles and Jeremiah) the truth of what they wrote is hereby established, for their separate allusions unto Lachish are unstudied and without collusion, yet are they thoroughly consistent and concordant. Second, because by comparing Joshua 10:32, with those latter passages we learn that Israel succeeded where such mighty warriors as Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar failed, which teaches the valuable lesson that under God His people are able to achieve what the natural man cannot!
"And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel" (Josh. 10:42). Another indication of the Divine authorship of the Bible are those words. There is no magnifying of the human instrument, no paying homage to a national hero, but, instead, a placing of the glory, where it rightfully belongs. This is but one of a score of similar passages m which we may perceive the Holy Spirit's jealousy of the Divine honor, wherein Israel's successes are attributed unto Jehovah's showing Himself strong in their behalf. This He does in a variety of ways, for when the Lord fights for His people He fights against their enemies. In the case of Pharaoh and his army, He filled them with a spirit of madness, so that they rushed headlong to their destruction; in others, He instilled a spirit of fear so that they fled when no man pursued them (2 Kings 7:6, 7), and then is made good that word, "The flight shall perish from the swift . . . and he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord" (Amos 2:14-16). A true humility in Christ's servants today will recognize and readily acknowledge the same principle when their labors are made to prosper.
"And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal" (v. 43), which seems to intimate that during the lengthy campaign in which they had been engaged none of the Hebrews were slain, but that their complete force returned safe and sound to their headquarters. It is not without reason that the Holy Spirit mentions by name the place where their camp was situated, for it points at least three most important and valuable lessons for us. First, Gilgal was, spiritually speaking, the place of self-judgment and conscious weakness (see our Joshua articles 27 and 28), for it was there that the Israelites were circumcised (Josh. 4:19; 5:2, 3), and that should ever be the place unto which the Christian has recourse after his victories, for only as he preserves a sense of his own nothingness will his strength be maintained. Second, Gilgal was the place of Divine fellowship: "the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover" (Josh. 5:10): only as communion with God is maintained may we count upon Him granting us further success in the light of faith. Third, Gilgal was me place where the tabernacle was erected (Josh. 6:6), where the priesthood officiated, where sacrifices were offered, and where the Lord manifested his presence.
We would fain believe that when Joshua and all his men returned to Gilgal that, before acquainting their families with the details of how graciously and wondrously the Lord had wrought for them in their battles, they first offered sacrifices of thanksgiving unto Him, and rendered public praise for the notable successes which He had vouchsafed them. The least they could do was to acknowledge Him who was the Bestower of their conquests. And the same is true of us, my readers: the only fitting way in which we can celebrate our spiritual triumphs is to give the whole of the glory of them unto their Author, as that is likewise the best preparative for the further fighting which lies before us. We are diligent and earnest in making supplication unto the Lord when we are hard pressed by the foe, and we should be equally explicit and fervent before Him when He has granted us deliverance. He requires us to make known our requests with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6), and it is more and more our conviction that one chief reason why so many of our requests are refused is that we fail to appreciate sufficiently those He has granted. God will not set a premium upon ingratitude.
But even though the Christian returns to the place of self-abasement after his victories, enters into sweet communion with the Lord and duly acknowledges His favors, he must not expect that henceforth all will be plain sailing for him. It was not so with Joshua and Israel, for the very next thing we read after their return to Gilgal is, "And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Joab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph. . . . And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel" (Josh. 11:1-5)! Here is a throwing down of the gauntlet with a vengeance. Hitherto the Canaanites had acted on the defensive, for it was Israel who assaulted Jericho and Ai, and the attack of the five kings had not been against Joshua, but the Gibeonites; but now they took the offensive, fiercely challenging Israel's right to remain in Canaan.
There is an old saying that "Any fool can make money, but it takes a wise man to keep it." Certainly it requires much diligence and care for the Christian to retain what he has acquired spiritually, to maintain the progress he has made, to consolidate that portion of his heritage which he has entered into, for the great enemy of souls will strive hard to deprive him thereof. He challenged our first parents in Eden while in their sinless condition, for it was abject misery unto him to see them happy. This principle runs all through Genesis. When God prospered Abraham in Canaan and his flocks and herds increased, such strife arose between his herdsmen and Lot's that they could no longer dwell together in peace. Later, the Philistines filled with earth the wells which his servants had dug ( Genesis 26:15), and when Isaac's men dug new ones the men of Gerar objected, challenging their right to the same, and striving with them ( Genesis 26:20, 21). When Jehovah made known His purpose that Rebekah's elder son should serve the younger, she had the effrontery to contest His decision ( Genesis 25:23; 27:6, etc.). When by means of dreams it was made known that the rest of his brethren should be subservient to Joseph and pay him homage, they determined to prevent the fulfillment thereof.
Even Joseph challenged the desire of his dying father to bestow his principal blessing upon Ephraim (Gen. 48:17). When the Hebrews were peacefully settled in Goshen "there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph" (Ex. 1:8), who was jealous of and fiercely assailed them. And all these things have been recorded for our instruction, to teach us to expect that attempts will be made to dispossess us of our rightful portion. Yea, we find that Satan blatantly and impiously assaulted the Holy One, challenging Him to supply proof of His deity-since you be the Son of God, "command that these stones be made bread." So too during His public ministry: again and again he stirred up the priests and Pharisees to demand by what authority He did this and that. Such opposition is epitomized in the parable of the wheat and tares: no sooner had Christ sown the good seed in the field than His right thereto was challenged by Satan's sowing darnel therein.
The Devil sought to rob the apostles of their portion, as is clear from the words of Christ: "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31)-His use of the plural pronoun shows that more than Simon was involved. How long was it after Pentecost before the enemy stirred up Saul of Tarsus to persecute the primitive Christians and encompassed the death of Stephen? No sooner had Peter been Divinely sent unto Cornelius and a blessed work of grace commenced among the Gentiles, than there was determined opposition and an attempt made to bring the same to an end by denying Peter's rights to evangelize the Gentiles. The Book of Acts records instance after instance of attacks made upon the peace and prosperity of one church after another. What force do all the above examples give to our need of taking heed of that exhortation "hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21), for the flesh, the world and the Devil will combine in seeking to get us to relinquish the same. Because of the corruptions of our hearts, the temptations of Satan, the allurements of the world, we are in real danger of letting go what is more precious than rubies. Having bought the Truth, we must resolutely see to it that we "sell it not" (Prov. 23:23).
It is not without good reason that the Lord has bidden His people to "hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering" (Heb. 10:23), and never was it more imperative that they attended to that injunction. We must, despite all opposition and persecution, continue in and press forward along that narrow way which leads unto life, for only he that endures unto the end shall be saved. No matter how fiercely you be assailed, surrender not your ground, but steadfastly maintain your profession. That "hold fast" presupposes inducements to compromise and renounce. It signifies the putting forth of our utmost endeavors to remain steadfast. "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Rev. 3:11). Adhere firmly thereto in faith and with a good conscience: never was it more needful to do so. The character of these times demands unfailing loyalty and unswerving devotion to Christ and to all He has committed to us. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (1 Cor. 9:24)-it is not the start but the end which determines the fitness to wear the crown.
Thus it will be seen, once again, that the passage before us contains lessons of deep importance for the Christian, particularly regarding his spiritual warfare and present enjoyment of his heritage. The children of Israel had made quite a little progress in their conquest of Canaan, but now they were very seriously challenged as to their occupancy. A most formidable attempt was being made to dispossess them, yea, utterly to vanquish them. In chapter 10 only live kings united in their attack upon Gibeon, but here there was a federation of all the remaining kings of Palestine. The vastness of the forces deployed by them appears in "even as the sand that is on the sea shore," and with them were "horses and chariots very many" (v. 4). Ah, my reader, Satan will not readily admit defeat! He did not in connection with Job, but renewed his assault again and again. "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return. . . . Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first" (Matthew 12:43-45)!
The believer must be prepared for such challenges being made to him, for if Satan opposed our invulnerable Head it is not to be expected that he will leave alone the vulnerable members of His mystical body; and though at the command of Christ he departed from Him, it was only "for a season." So it is with us. We may be enabled by grace so to resist the Devil that he will flee from us (James 4:7), yet we may be sure that it will not be long before he returns and resumes the conflict. Nor are his efforts confined to individual saints: he assaults their assemblies too, as the New Testament and all ecclesiastical history of this Christian era shows--how many churches' candles have been put out by him because of lack of watchfulness on their part, or through failure to take a firm stand against him! That word of the apostle to the church officers at Ephesus needs to be laid to heart by all holding a similar position today: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. . . . Therefore watch" (Acts 20:28-31).
These paragraphs are not being written merely to fill up space, but in the endeavor to supply young believers with a timely warning, to put them on their guard against the onsets of their adversary. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and though we may not be ignorant of Satan's devices, yet all of us need to be frequently reminded of them. At no one point does he more often assail than in seeking to take from us what is ours. In Matthew 13:19, our Lord solemnly pointed out that the wicked one is able to catch away that which was sown in the heart, yet the fault is our own if we suffer him to do so. He will endeavor to rob us of some Divine promise which we are trying to rest upon, by denying our personal title to the same. He will challenge our warrant to some particularly helpful portion of the minister's sermon, saying that it pertains not to us. He will call into question our right to peace of conscience and joy of heart. He will oppose us when reading the Word or engaged in prayer. In short, we must expect to be challenged by him at every point, and seek grace steadfastly to resist him.
In concluding this article let us take note that Joshua 11 opens with the word "And," which intimates that this formidable federation of the Canaanites took the field against Israel while they were at Gilgal (Josh. 10:43), which is one reason why we have entitled this meditation "Challenged." There is nothing which more enrages Satan than to behold the saints taking the place of conscious weakness before the Lord, or enjoying blessed communion with God as they feast with Him upon the Lamb; yet there is never a time when it is so certain that he will meet with no success as he attempts to vent his enmity against them, for it is impossible for him to injure any who "dwelleth in the secret place of the most High," for of such it is declared, he "shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty," and therefore can he confidently affirm "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." For the promise to him is "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler" (Ps. 91:1-3). Those who live a life of fellowship with God are assured of His protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity of mind, assured that He will repel their foes and defend them. Nevertheless, as Scott pertinently pointed out, "The believer must never put off his armor, or expect durable peace, till he closes his eves in death."
13. Victory At Gibeon (Concluded)
Joshua 10:1-43
Challenged
One or two details m the closing verses of chapter 10 which lack of space prevented a consideration of in our last issue, must be noticed here. First, it is blessed to observe that all which is recorded from verse 28 onwards manifests how fully the faith expressed by Joshua in verse 25 was vindicated. There he had encouraged the captains of his men of war, for as they placed their feet upon the necks of the five conquered kings of the Amorites, he boldly said unto them, "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight." What implicit confidence in the living God did he there display! There is nothing in the context to show that Israel's leader had received a recent assurance from his Master to that effect: rather do we consider that his heart was resting upon that word he had long ago received through Moses-"Thine eyes have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto these two kings [namely Og king of Bashan, and Sihon of the Amorites, who opposed Israel in the wilderness and were overthrown]: so shall the Lord do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest" (Deut. 3:21).
There can be no doubt that that promise became the "sheet anchor" of Joshua when he came to be elevated to the position of commander-in-chief of Israel's forces. He had "mixed faith" with the same (Heb. 4:2) and it became the stay of his soul until his arduous and dangerous task had been completed. He had already received more than one definite "earnest" of the Lord's making good that word: Jericho and Ai had fallen before them, and the five kings of the Amorites had been utterly routed. But much heavier fighting now lay before them. They had barely made a beginning, and far more yet remained to be accomplished. But Joshua had no doubts, no fear of the outcome. His trust was in the Lord of hosts, and he was not afraid to commit himself before others. Fully assured of the Divine fidelity, he boldly avowed his confidence therein before and unto his brethren. What an example for Christian leaders to follow! "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad" (Ps. 34:2). The confident language of those who are well acquainted with the Lord is an inspiration to those of their brethren of less experience. They who have proved the Lord's goodness should give free expression thereto that others may be confirmed in their trust of a faithful God. Thus it was here with Joshua.
"And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day" (Josh. 10:32). That detail marks a difference from the other Canaanitish towns captured by them. Libnah (v. 30), Eglon (35), Hebron (37) and Debir (39) were apparently mastered in a single attack; but not so Lachish. Spiritually, that teaches the Christian that some of his lusts are more powerful than others, and require a longer and more determined effort on his part to subdue them. And, too, an initial failure to enter into possession of a particular portion of our inheritance must not deter us from making a second effort to do so. Ellicott pointed out that it appears from other scriptures too that Lachish was a fortress of considerable strength. When Sennacherib king of Assyria "came up against all the fenced cities of Judah" (2 Kings 18:13), although he personally "laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him" (2 Chron. 32:9), yet he had to abandon his attempt to reduce it (2 Kings 19:7, 8). At a later date, when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah in the reign of its last king, Lachish was one of the two places which were the last to be conquered: "for these defensed cities remained of the cities of Judah" (Jer. 34:7).
Our reason for here calling attention to the above historical fact is twofold. First, because it supplies a striking illustration of the Divine inspiration of the Bible from its minute accuracy and consistency. Those three passages, though lying so far apart, agree in showing that Lachish was a city of considerable strength and one which was more than ordinarily difficult to capture. It is one of innumerable evidences of the authenticity or genuineness of Holy Writ, which by silent testimony bears witness to its perfect harmony. This argument, drawn from unmistakable coincidence without design, will have greater weight with those best qualified to weigh evidence. In the mouths of three independent witnesses (Josh., the writer of 2 Chronicles and Jeremiah) the truth of what they wrote is hereby established, for their separate allusions unto Lachish are unstudied and without collusion, yet are they thoroughly consistent and concordant. Second, because by comparing Joshua 10:32, with those latter passages we learn that Israel succeeded where such mighty warriors as Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar failed, which teaches the valuable lesson that under God His people are able to achieve what the natural man cannot!
"And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel" (Josh. 10:42). Another indication of the Divine authorship of the Bible are those words. There is no magnifying of the human instrument, no paying homage to a national hero, but, instead, a placing of the glory, where it rightfully belongs. This is but one of a score of similar passages m which we may perceive the Holy Spirit's jealousy of the Divine honor, wherein Israel's successes are attributed unto Jehovah's showing Himself strong in their behalf. This He does in a variety of ways, for when the Lord fights for His people He fights against their enemies. In the case of Pharaoh and his army, He filled them with a spirit of madness, so that they rushed headlong to their destruction; in others, He instilled a spirit of fear so that they fled when no man pursued them (2 Kings 7:6, 7), and then is made good that word, "The flight shall perish from the swift . . . and he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord" (Amos 2:14-16). A true humility in Christ's servants today will recognize and readily acknowledge the same principle when their labors are made to prosper.
"And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal" (v. 43), which seems to intimate that during the lengthy campaign in which they had been engaged none of the Hebrews were slain, but that their complete force returned safe and sound to their headquarters. It is not without reason that the Holy Spirit mentions by name the place where their camp was situated, for it points at least three most important and valuable lessons for us. First, Gilgal was, spiritually speaking, the place of self-judgment and conscious weakness (see our Joshua articles 27 and 28), for it was there that the Israelites were circumcised (Josh. 4:19; 5:2, 3), and that should ever be the place unto which the Christian has recourse after his victories, for only as he preserves a sense of his own nothingness will his strength be maintained. Second, Gilgal was the place of Divine fellowship: "the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover" (Josh. 5:10): only as communion with God is maintained may we count upon Him granting us further success in the light of faith. Third, Gilgal was me place where the tabernacle was erected (Josh. 6:6), where the priesthood officiated, where sacrifices were offered, and where the Lord manifested his presence.
We would fain believe that when Joshua and all his men returned to Gilgal that, before acquainting their families with the details of how graciously and wondrously the Lord had wrought for them in their battles, they first offered sacrifices of thanksgiving unto Him, and rendered public praise for the notable successes which He had vouchsafed them. The least they could do was to acknowledge Him who was the Bestower of their conquests. And the same is true of us, my readers: the only fitting way in which we can celebrate our spiritual triumphs is to give the whole of the glory of them unto their Author, as that is likewise the best preparative for the further fighting which lies before us. We are diligent and earnest in making supplication unto the Lord when we are hard pressed by the foe, and we should be equally explicit and fervent before Him when He has granted us deliverance. He requires us to make known our requests with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6), and it is more and more our conviction that one chief reason why so many of our requests are refused is that we fail to appreciate sufficiently those He has granted. God will not set a premium upon ingratitude.
But even though the Christian returns to the place of self-abasement after his victories, enters into sweet communion with the Lord and duly acknowledges His favors, he must not expect that henceforth all will be plain sailing for him. It was not so with Joshua and Israel, for the very next thing we read after their return to Gilgal is, "And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Joab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph. . . . And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel" (Josh. 11:1-5)! Here is a throwing down of the gauntlet with a vengeance. Hitherto the Canaanites had acted on the defensive, for it was Israel who assaulted Jericho and Ai, and the attack of the five kings had not been against Joshua, but the Gibeonites; but now they took the offensive, fiercely challenging Israel's right to remain in Canaan.
There is an old saying that "Any fool can make money, but it takes a wise man to keep it." Certainly it requires much diligence and care for the Christian to retain what he has acquired spiritually, to maintain the progress he has made, to consolidate that portion of his heritage which he has entered into, for the great enemy of souls will strive hard to deprive him thereof. He challenged our first parents in Eden while in their sinless condition, for it was abject misery unto him to see them happy. This principle runs all through Genesis. When God prospered Abraham in Canaan and his flocks and herds increased, such strife arose between his herdsmen and Lot's that they could no longer dwell together in peace. Later, the Philistines filled with earth the wells which his servants had dug ( Genesis 26:15), and when Isaac's men dug new ones the men of Gerar objected, challenging their right to the same, and striving with them ( Genesis 26:20, 21). When Jehovah made known His purpose that Rebekah's elder son should serve the younger, she had the effrontery to contest His decision ( Genesis 25:23; 27:6, etc.). When by means of dreams it was made known that the rest of his brethren should be subservient to Joseph and pay him homage, they determined to prevent the fulfillment thereof.
Even Joseph challenged the desire of his dying father to bestow his principal blessing upon Ephraim (Gen. 48:17). When the Hebrews were peacefully settled in Goshen "there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph" (Ex. 1:8), who was jealous of and fiercely assailed them. And all these things have been recorded for our instruction, to teach us to expect that attempts will be made to dispossess us of our rightful portion. Yea, we find that Satan blatantly and impiously assaulted the Holy One, challenging Him to supply proof of His deity-since you be the Son of God, "command that these stones be made bread." So too during His public ministry: again and again he stirred up the priests and Pharisees to demand by what authority He did this and that. Such opposition is epitomized in the parable of the wheat and tares: no sooner had Christ sown the good seed in the field than His right thereto was challenged by Satan's sowing darnel therein.
The Devil sought to rob the apostles of their portion, as is clear from the words of Christ: "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31)-His use of the plural pronoun shows that more than Simon was involved. How long was it after Pentecost before the enemy stirred up Saul of Tarsus to persecute the primitive Christians and encompassed the death of Stephen? No sooner had Peter been Divinely sent unto Cornelius and a blessed work of grace commenced among the Gentiles, than there was determined opposition and an attempt made to bring the same to an end by denying Peter's rights to evangelize the Gentiles. The Book of Acts records instance after instance of attacks made upon the peace and prosperity of one church after another. What force do all the above examples give to our need of taking heed of that exhortation "hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21), for the flesh, the world and the Devil will combine in seeking to get us to relinquish the same. Because of the corruptions of our hearts, the temptations of Satan, the allurements of the world, we are in real danger of letting go what is more precious than rubies. Having bought the Truth, we must resolutely see to it that we "sell it not" (Prov. 23:23).
It is not without good reason that the Lord has bidden His people to "hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering" (Heb. 10:23), and never was it more imperative that they attended to that injunction. We must, despite all opposition and persecution, continue in and press forward along that narrow way which leads unto life, for only he that endures unto the end shall be saved. No matter how fiercely you be assailed, surrender not your ground, but steadfastly maintain your profession. That "hold fast" presupposes inducements to compromise and renounce. It signifies the putting forth of our utmost endeavors to remain steadfast. "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Rev. 3:11). Adhere firmly thereto in faith and with a good conscience: never was it more needful to do so. The character of these times demands unfailing loyalty and unswerving devotion to Christ and to all He has committed to us. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (1 Cor. 9:24)-it is not the start but the end which determines the fitness to wear the crown.
Thus it will be seen, once again, that the passage before us contains lessons of deep importance for the Christian, particularly regarding his spiritual warfare and present enjoyment of his heritage. The children of Israel had made quite a little progress in their conquest of Canaan, but now they were very seriously challenged as to their occupancy. A most formidable attempt was being made to dispossess them, yea, utterly to vanquish them. In chapter 10 only live kings united in their attack upon Gibeon, but here there was a federation of all the remaining kings of Palestine. The vastness of the forces deployed by them appears in "even as the sand that is on the sea shore," and with them were "horses and chariots very many" (v. 4). Ah, my reader, Satan will not readily admit defeat! He did not in connection with Job, but renewed his assault again and again. "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return. . . . Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first" (Matthew 12:43-45)!
The believer must be prepared for such challenges being made to him, for if Satan opposed our invulnerable Head it is not to be expected that he will leave alone the vulnerable members of His mystical body; and though at the command of Christ he departed from Him, it was only "for a season." So it is with us. We may be enabled by grace so to resist the Devil that he will flee from us (James 4:7), yet we may be sure that it will not be long before he returns and resumes the conflict. Nor are his efforts confined to individual saints: he assaults their assemblies too, as the New Testament and all ecclesiastical history of this Christian era shows--how many churches' candles have been put out by him because of lack of watchfulness on their part, or through failure to take a firm stand against him! That word of the apostle to the church officers at Ephesus needs to be laid to heart by all holding a similar position today: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. . . . Therefore watch" (Acts 20:28-31).
These paragraphs are not being written merely to fill up space, but in the endeavor to supply young believers with a timely warning, to put them on their guard against the onsets of their adversary. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and though we may not be ignorant of Satan's devices, yet all of us need to be frequently reminded of them. At no one point does he more often assail than in seeking to take from us what is ours. In Matthew 13:19, our Lord solemnly pointed out that the wicked one is able to catch away that which was sown in the heart, yet the fault is our own if we suffer him to do so. He will endeavor to rob us of some Divine promise which we are trying to rest upon, by denying our personal title to the same. He will challenge our warrant to some particularly helpful portion of the minister's sermon, saying that it pertains not to us. He will call into question our right to peace of conscience and joy of heart. He will oppose us when reading the Word or engaged in prayer. In short, we must expect to be challenged by him at every point, and seek grace steadfastly to resist him.
In concluding this article let us take note that Joshua 11 opens with the word "And," which intimates that this formidable federation of the Canaanites took the field against Israel while they were at Gilgal (Josh. 10:43), which is one reason why we have entitled this meditation "Challenged." There is nothing which more enrages Satan than to behold the saints taking the place of conscious weakness before the Lord, or enjoying blessed communion with God as they feast with Him upon the Lamb; yet there is never a time when it is so certain that he will meet with no success as he attempts to vent his enmity against them, for it is impossible for him to injure any who "dwelleth in the secret place of the most High," for of such it is declared, he "shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty," and therefore can he confidently affirm "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." For the promise to him is "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler" (Ps. 91:1-3). Those who live a life of fellowship with God are assured of His protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity of mind, assured that He will repel their foes and defend them. Nevertheless, as Scott pertinently pointed out, "The believer must never put off his armor, or expect durable peace, till he closes his eves in death."