MARCH 6.
WE may, and we ought to transfer what is here said to the Jews concerning Canaan to ourselves, with regard to a better country, that is, a heavenly : for the one was designed to be typical of the other.
Observe the exhibition : "Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee." Where? In the Scriptures. Not in its full development, for so it is a glory to be revealed, for it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but in its general nature, and in a way adapted to our present apprehensions, and likely to take hold of our mind. Hence so many figures are employed, all of which, while they fall short of the subject, aid our conceptions.
But does he place it before our eyes to tantalize us, by awakening our notice, and drawing forth our admiration, and exciting our desire, when the boon is not within our reach?
Observe the command: " Go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers bath said unto thee." This supposes it to be attainable yea, it makes the attainment our duty. Our missing it is not only our misery, but our crime. We shall be punished for neglecting so great salvation. It is our guilt-the guilt of the vilest disobedience to the most gracious authority ; for he not only allows, but, he enjoins us to seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and commands us to believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Are we doing this? For He is the way, and we come unto God by Him.
Observe the encouragement: "Fear not, neither be discouraged." To this we are liable on two accounts. First, by a sense of our unworthiness. The greatness of the blessedness, when combined with a sense of our desert, astonishes the mind into a kind of incredulity ; and makes hope seem no better than presumption. But every thing here is free, and designed to show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us. We are as welcome as we are unworthy. Why then should we refuse to be comforted? Secondly, by a sense of our weakness. Who is sufficient for the distance, the difficulties, the dangers? The Jews were dismayed by the report of the spies. The towns, said they, are walled up to heaven. There are the Anakim, in whose sight we were but as grasshoppers. The people were disheartened. But said Caleb, "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are able." Did he mean, without God? No; but with him, with him as their leader and keeper ; and this he had promised. And is he not with you? Has he not said, ' Fear not, for 1 am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness?" We cannot be too sensible of our weakness: but let us remember that his grace is sufficient for us. Has it not been sufficient for all those who have gone before us? They had their fears, but they overcame. They are now more than conquerors through Him who loved them.
But Jordan rolls between. So was it with the Jews; and it was even overflowing its banks at the time. But the ark divided the waters. They went through dry-shod. And their enemies were as still as a stone, till they were clean passed over, and the land was all their own.
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