Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-06-20

July st Joshua Successor to Moses-Joshua El-9.
With the new quarter we take sharp
turn from study of the history of the
Christian church back to study of the
early Jewish church. 1t is both mperti-
hent and unnecessary to inquire into the
wisdom of the committee who have
arranged our Sunday school work. For,
though there would be advantages in con-
tinuing the interesting history we had
lust well begun, we are not to take up
work essentially different. We shall still
be learning of Gods workings with his
people, and of the mighty aid he gives his
servants that trust in him.
The book of Joshua is called the first of
the historic books of tho Bible. The earlier
books are termed the "Books of the Law"
They, indeed, contain most important his
,ory. but in the book of Joshua we come to
the history of the Israelites after they
became really separate people. The book
of Joshua is mostly an account of the
wars by which they made conquest of the
land of Canaan. This book is considered
the production of Joshua himself, save a
few verses at its close. 1t takes up the
history of Gods people just at the time
when their forty years Of hard wandering
in the wilderness was ended. Moses had
died alone upon the height of one of the
mountains of Moab east of Jordan.
Before his death, as we should now say,
he mentioned his successor. Joshua had
shown himself courageous man, and
wise counsellor, was withal a man of war.
1t is not impossible that he had secured
military training by being connected with
the Egyptian army.
Upto this point they had made no war Of
conquest. They had sometimes engaged
the native tribes about them on account OF
some indignity they had suffered, but
henceforth there was to be continuous
warfare until the tribes then inhabiting
the land were conquered. 1t will be seen
that Joshua is styled Moses minister;
this term means servant, in general, but
it may be considered as having here more
of its modern sense, as used in French
politics, when they speak OF minister Of
finance, or minister of public instruction,
or of war 1t is probable that Joshua had
held the highest official place under Moses
before the death of the latter The name
Joshua was given by Moses, or rather his
real name (Oshea) meaning salvation,
was changed when he first went with the
spies to reconnoiter the land of Canaan,
by adding the name of deity; so tha
Jehoshua, (Which was contracted to JOSH
ua) meant Jehovah's salvation. To this
man. after Moses was dead, God spake
We are not told the method of his COM
munication, but it is enough that he SC
spake that Joshua heard and obeyed. The
language addressed to Joshua seems to
imply that Moses life was u barrier to the
conquest of Canaan. This was in no sense
the case, save that Moses had been told
that he should not enter the land in person.
Though Moses their great leader was
dead, the people were yet to go forward
The land is spoken of as already given to
the people, and the command to enter II
is accompanied with very cheering prom
lses. Every portion of it was to be theirs
from the moment they set foot upon 1t, j.
c., they were not to make conquests ant
then be driven from them. The possessio.
was to be enlarged under their domini n
as it was under David and Solomon, when
the bounds here given were reached. More
than all this he is assured hat no man
should be able to stand before him; clearly
meaning that in every conflict with the
natives he should be victorious. Then a.
if to make assurance doubly sure, Goo
says "As was with Moses so will b'
with thee" This pledge would naturally
recall all the wonderful achievements O.
Moses, in Egypt aud in the desert ane
would give ample ground for complete
confidence.
What mighty assurance, when God says
as he does to all his faithful ones, II will
not fail thee, nor forsake thee"
But though God pledged himself to b
with his servant it was necessary that hi
servant should nerve himself with all tn
courage he could master; for the under
taking was great and difficult one, an,
God never grants so much aid that mai
does not need to tax his own powers t.
the utmost.
Anyone who thinks that to follow Go
in all things is an easy task, has need t
undertake the work, then he will becom
competent to Judge. The prime condition
upon which all these promises hinged wa
that Joshua should observe to keep tn
whole law given by Moses, and not "tur
from it to the right hand or to the left.
God proposes to give complete victory
every man who meets these conditions
and the great cause of moral weakness
among men is that they turn aside fror
Gods way so often.
very important suggestion is furthe
given rs to the means by which courag
and fidelity were to be fostered and SUI
pOTteu. OOSuuu Is COuIluduu0u LU D0
diligent student of the law. This was a
the written word he then had, but b
carefully studying this he would be alb
to learn the divine will, and would b
taught to profit in doing the same.
there was so much reason for his givin
heed to the written word of God, ho
much more for us to whom so muc
more is given.
But it is the high privilege of ever
servant of God TO 60 forth to his wor
trusting in all the soul slrengthenin
promises here made to Joshua. N
Scripture is Of any private Interpretation
Every mans commission from the Grea
King reads this way:
"Have not / commanded Thee? Be stron
and of good courage; be not afraid neithe
dismayed; for the Lord thy God is wit
thee whithersoever thou goest."