Bible Commentaries

FOR OR AGAINST?

‘Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?’

Joshua 5:13

I. The faithful fighter.

(a) Called, or ordained (Numbers 27:18), as we are by Baptism, or Confirmation.

(b) Instructed and trained under his captain, undaunted, found faithful in lesser things, willing to obey (Joshua 1:7-8). The Christian to be under orders, disciplined.

(c) Whole-hearted. No neutrality, strong against disloyalty.

II. “For or against?”

(a) The Church asks it. Whole-hearted Christians needed for Church’s work.

(b) The Spirit asks it. Joshua-like loyalty to holiness needed.

(c) The Saviour asks it. “I did all this for thee, what art thou giving to Me?”

III. On whose side are we fighting?

—Rev. F. S. Legg.

Illustrations

(1) ‘Ponder Jesus’ solemn word, “He that is not with Me, is against Me.” There is no neutrality in this warfare. Either we are for Him or we are for His adversary. “Under which King? speak or die!” As sensible men, not indifferent to your highest and lasting well-being, ask yourselves, “Can I, with my ten thousand, meet Him with His twenty thousand?” Put yourselves under His orders, and He will be on your side. “He will teach your hands to war, and your fingers to fight; will cover your heads in the day of battle,” and bring you at last, palm-bearing and laurel-crowned, to that blissful state where there will still be service.’

(2) ‘Joshua saw the man with a sword in his hand. O that Christ might come in our time with the sword of the Divine Spirit in His hand; come to effect deeds of love but yet deeds of power; come with His two-edged sword to smite our sins, to cut to the heart His adversaries, to slay their unbelief, to lay their iniquities dead before Him. The sword is drawn, not scabbarded, as, alas! it has been so long in many churches, but made bare for present active use. It is in His hand, not in the minister’s hand, not even in an angel’s hand, but the sword drawn is in His hand. Oh, what power there is in the Gospel when Jesus holds the hilt, and what gashes it makes into hearts that were hard as adamant, when Jesus cuts right and left at the hearts and consciences of men! Brethren, seek this presence, and seeking it, believe it; and when you hear the Gospel preached, or when you meet together for prayer, think you see in the centre of the assembly the Champion of Israel, with uplifted sword, prepared to do great exploits as in days of old.’