The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-10-25
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures
indicated above
SUBJECT: THE REASON OF THE DEFEAT OF
THE IsRAEL1TEs UNDER JOSHUA AT Al.
/. Tine
The lesson is located in the year 1858 A. NJ,
and probably in the jewish third month (Sivsn).
The IsraeItes crossed the Jordan on the 10th
of Abb. a.: 49, They began the passover
Abb 18th, continuing the feast for seven days.
IS: 10) They delayed some time for circum-
csion. t5:S) Seven days were passed going
around tie walls of Jericho. (6;3, ~ Then
some time was required for the spies to recon-
hotter Al. (7:2, 81 Our study carries us back
$3.50 years. The time of the year corresponds
with about the 1st of June.
2 Place.
Having captured Jericho the Israelites pro-
ceeded to the conquest of Al. The methods
adopted were totally different from those used
in seizing Jericho. That city was taken by a
miracle, following a seven days silence closed
with great shout The walls once down,
however, the Israelites proceeded to the
slaughter of the inhabitants aud the destruc-
ton of the property. Joshua had issued strict
orders forbidding each and every Israelite con-
verting to a personal use any OF the spOils.
(6:I7, 49, Gold and silver were to be pre-
served from destruction and devoted to ecclesi-
| V.
positive commands to the contrary, one Of the
5000 soldiers did not resist the temptation to
elf-aggrandizement. A goody BabylOnish
garment, which was devoted condemned Of
Cod to destruction, he carried off for personal
benefit. Moreover, he seized on q large guam
tity of silver and gold which should have been
delivered to the priests for religious use.
(7:21) Seemingly no one save himself knew
of the gross sin. The mans name was Achan.
(Vs. 10, 20) The crime might have been
wholly unknown only that the Israelites were
defeated at Al. The shameful routing Of the
Israeites reused Joshua TO profound sorrow
and indignation. What could be the trouble?
We are at All the second city to DO captured
by the Israelites. The word gate" ". 81
shows the place was a walled city. It had a
population of 1900. $3.50 1t was ruled by
king. (8:I.) The place is called in Gen,
12 8, Hal, and in Neh., II 81 Ala. 1t was
about 10 miles north Of Jericho and three east
| of Bethel. 1t was on an elevation; hence go
| ing down." (V. 81 And possibly, hence also,
to some extent the labor" of verse g. 1t was
on the northern boundary of the tribe Of Ben
jamn. After Joshua destroyed it the Benja
Minutes rebuilt it and occupied it till the cap
| tivity. Oh. c. 599.) When the Jews returned
| from said captivity Al was rebuilt. The pOpu-
lati0n was few" ". 3 as compared with the
large number of Israelites.
3. Acban
The sailors imagined their trouble due to
Jonah. So the defeat at Al was the guilt of
Achan. Josephus gives the name as Acharos.
In l CHI, 2 7, he is called Achar Some think
it play on the name Achan, and based on the
fact Achan was the occasion of so great calam-
ity to the Israelites Achar means the troubler.
/ So IN josh, Z: %, Joshua asks Achau, why
hast thou troubled us?" Charging the people
to refrain from touching anything in Jericho,
Joshua said, Lest ye make ga the
camp of Israel a curse and trouble IT," g.: Is
CT. Prov, Is: 27 l Ki., Is: ~ Confrerius,
reckoning from the geuealOgy Of verse 1,
thinks Achan was about 80 years of age.
L. The Defeat.
Before attempting the conquest of Al spies
were sent to reconnoiter the place. Before cross
ing the river Jordan Joshua sent two spies
over to view the situation. They gained en-
trance to the city, but almost lost their lives.
| At Kadesh- BaTrea 40 years before Joshua was
himself one of II spies sent into Canaan. He
| probably had some idea of Jericho from his
own exploit. We are not informed as to the
number of spies sent to Al. We notice they
did not enter the city. Ten Of the II spies
sent from Kadesh- Barrea were utterly democrat
| lied by fear. The two sent to view Jericho
! found that the people were much COMPOUNDED
/ by reports they had heard as to the Israelites
! r. l0), aud that therefore it would be quite
! practicable for the Israeltes to proceed against
! i Z
their enemies faint because Of them" q: 8,
| "a
| We are to suppose that before attacking Al
Joshua offered the city conditions of peace.
! The law given to Moses required such pro-
cedure. (Deu., 20: 10, 49,
! We are quite sure of the relative forces in the
! battle. In either self confidence as to the
easiness of victory over Al, or in a desire to
| relieve many as possible from the irksomeness
| drudgery and danger of combat, the spies sug-
! gested that only so many be sent as could with
/ out doubt conquer the city, say, 1000 or 3, 900
| soldiers. Seemingly without consulting God,
! Joshua conCurred in the suggestion, sending
! however the highest number named by the
! spies. The question of victory or defeat did
not depend on the number Of Israe!tish sol
diers. Under the circumstances, had all the
! 100000 armed men of Israel been about Al, the
! city would have beaten. Had not AChan's sin
! been in the way, the 1900 would have come off
| victors yea, with God on his side, one can
chase a thousand. The Israeiites may have
imagined the walls of Al would fall as did those
of Jericho giving them chance to butcher
| the inmates.
| Al did not go into siege, but marched out and
| gave the Israelites battle. They knew we'll it
| could be but question of time when city
| of IL 900 would be forced to yield to forces so
numerous as the Israelites. There iskomething
| admirable in the bravery of the soldiers of Al.
| WIN the terrlDl6 conquest OF Jericho IreSD III
mind, and sharing as they probably did in the
reports which made the soldiers OF Jericho faint
at heart e.: 8, 24) they nevertheless plueked
up courage and dared 10 face an enemy of such
q record and numbers
| The spies may have been anxious to have a
victory over Al with a small force so as to in
dulge in a selfglorifying spirit. 1t was no
| cause for flushed spirits when 100000 oyercame
a mere fraction. Then the Canaanites would
| fear to greater degree class of men vino with
equal numbers could conquer them.
AS to fixing the number at 1000 to 5000, we
see the spies were guided by the number of
forces with whom they were to fight. A popu-
laton of 1000 Is; % would have military
body of about 1000 or 5000. Hence few"
! (Y. 81
The result of the battle was defeat to the
Israelites. Thirty-six of their number were
slain. All the rest were chased for several
miles as they fed back to Jericho. Not one
Israelite was killed in taking Jericho. While
the Israelites lost Sc at Al, we do not learn
they slew one man of Al. 1t is plain the Isra-
elites did not fight well at All But back of the
defeat was not cowardice so much as the guilt
of Achan. The result of the battle was ter
rible stroke to the hope and courage of the
Israelites. Their hearts melted and became as
water. What a contrast to their feelings when
| the walls of Jericho fell. They remind US now
of the people of Jericho, of whom it was said
| hv Rahab that theV tainted (2.241 Instead