Warfare and conflict are usually distasteful topics; we'd rather have peace. Yet, as we read in Joyce's recent post, Joshua's story embraces a swag of conquests which involved both warfare and conflict. What lessons may be learned?
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, writes that 'the warfare with oneself is grand'. The whole sentence reads: 'Be of good cheer; the warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you, — and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory' (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 118:24–28)
In this same volume, she writes evocatively of past skirmishes: 'With tender tread, thought sometimes walks in memory, through the dim corridors of years, on to old battle-grounds, there sadly to survey the fields of the slain and the enemy's losses' (ibid, p. xi: 24).
But the battle is not with other people; it is with sin and error, as exemplified in the following passage in the Christian Science textbook by Eddy: 'There is too much animal courage in society and not sufficient moral courage. Christians must take up arms against error at home and abroad. They must grapple with sin in themselves and in others, and continue this warfare until they have finished their course ' (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 28:32–5).
What, then, was Joshua doing as he and his people fought so many battles? We will probably never know exactly, but we hope they were sorting themselves out, finding their place, learning how to get along with each other, putting down roots and growing shoots, and practising the ten commandments handed down to them by their courageous leader Moses. It wasn't and isn't always easy, but 'the Lord gave them rest...' (Joshua 21: 44)--a little respite on their continuing journey to know and obey God.
Julie Swannell
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