ONWARD TO COMPLETION OF HIS PLAN

ONWARD TO COMPLETION OF HIS PLAN    

"After the death of Joshua" Judges 1:1

The Book of Joshua began with the words: "After the death of Moses," and recorded the story of the people of God under the leadership of his SUCCESSOR. Now the story is continued as to what followed his death. These beginnings keep us reminded of the PERSISTENCE OF THE DIVINE PURPOSE, in spite of the frailty of the human instruments. After the death of any servant of God, the service of God goes forward, and the work of God is carried on. Yet the other side of that truth is not to be lost sight of. God carries on His purpose and His work THROUGH HUMAN INSTRUMENTS. Moses made possible the work of Joshua. Joshua had made possible the work of all who were to follow. The period covered in this Book is that from the death of Joshua to the judgeship of Samuel, and the movement toward MONARCHY. On the human side, it is a story of disobedience and disaster; and on the Divine side, of continued direction and deliverance. Therefore in its light the servant of God may always find encouragement. When the appointed task is done, he will always be conscious of the incompleteness of it, of the things desired but not done, of the perils threatening the ultimate realization which he must leave unattained; but he will know by all this history that God NEVER ABANDONS HIS PURPOSE, (His plan made before the ages began) (2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:11) cannot be finally defeated, will always find those to take up and continue the service which is unfinished. Happy is the man who in his little hour works with God. He may be at rest about the issues.