The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-21
THE FALL OF JERIcHo.-Josh.. vi. Lie

Sunday-School Lesson for Oct. 90, 1888.
THE FALL OF ~JERIcHo.-Josh., vi, 1-16.
Golden Text-By faith the walls of Jericho fell
down. after they were comprised about seven days.
-Heb., x. 80.
Mon.-Josh., v. LIS. Captain of the Lords host
Iues--Josh,v vi 1-l6.--------- The fall OF jericho.
Med.-Josh.. vi, 17-21-.-m.:-.Jeficho destroyed.
Fri-Acts, xvi, Prison doors opened.
Sat- Cor, i. 17-31....-V Victory with weak things.
~Sun.-Heb., Ii, 3O-4O----------- Faith powerful
OF this first city of Jericho We have but little
knowledge. 1t Was known as the City of Palms
from q forest of splendid palms that covered an
area eight miles long by three broad. The city
WAS five or elk miles north OF the Dead Sea, and
about as far west of the Jordan. IL must have
been a city of wealth and luxury, as evident IN
tary key Of this part OF Palestine. controlling
the two great passes leading into the country.
IL was walled about and shut at sundown,
Josh il, 81; it had houses built along its walls,
some OF which had windows that projected
over the walls iii, 15) 1t stood on rising
ground, for they assembled to the attack.
1t could not have been large, or they could
not have marched seven times about 1t
in one day. Israel, after crossing the Jordan.
encamped at Gilgal ". 81. about three miles
from jericho. Here the nation resumed the
custom Of ~rcumcisi that had been neglected
In the desert; here they celebrated the Passover
feast for the second time after leaving Egypt;
here they were furnished with the 'old corn or
the land and here the mama ceased to fall
The great work of the conquest OF the land
began at once. We need shed nc tears over the
destruction of the Capaanites, for they deserved
to be exterminated They were the very flower
and perfection of all that was rank and bad in
their religion and practice. They corrupted
every nation they touched, and the foul stream
OF their gross animalism and sensual religion
flowed along through Greece and Rome to pol
lutte and destroy. Gods plan was tongues
without compromise, destruction without delay.
They were strong and well armed. their cities
were large and walled. as Joshua knew from acs1
ual observation !
At this critical moment tie Lord appeared y
Joshua ", 1879 IS "a man or war" as a captain
to lead the hosts. 1t was 90 longer the indef-
mite cloud that personiiec God, but an incar-
mated form of courage, AID strength, AND lead
ership. This was no dream or vision OF the
night, but it appeared clearly. spoke distinctly,
giving a plan for the capture of Jericho; also re-
curing obedience and worship from Joshua. IL
WAS no other than one Of the various incarna-
tions of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had before
appeared to Abraham, Jacob and Moses.
QUESTIONS THE scHoLAR A ASK.
l. What do we know about Jerichoi 2.
What Is meant by being straitly shut upf 3.
How had the Lord given Jericho to Joshua be-
fore il felll T. How was the Ark carried On
such occasion2 5. Why and how were rams
horns used as trumpets. .. What was the DIFF
ference between ''the long blast of The rams
horn and the common blast they blew continu-
ouslyP z. Why were the people kept silent,
and vet tie priests allowed TO blow their hornsf
s. What reasons for believing the city fell on
the Sabbath 8. Why did the Lord command
tho people of Jericho TO be SLANT
DIFFICULTIES CONSIDERED.
There are, at least, three difficulties the
teacher will be abliged to meet:
]. Why such q plan that ruled out the people
from any active part in bringing about the
capture of the city2 The Eastern people have
great faith 10 the power of noise, and their en-
forced silence impressed the lesson that their
might and courage were not needed. God
taught them anew the suficiency OF His own
power. II they had gained the victory, they
would have become overconfdent in them
selves. The Ark is made prominent and central
in all this story-you see God.
2 Why so many days, aud why so many
sevensl Seven Is the perfect. the chosen num-
her, Gods number. And this made Gods part
the more prominent and instructive.
> What Was the real method by which the
walls were broken downl We infer from the
safety of Rahab's party that this part of the
walls did not fall Tuck thinks that an earth
quake opened wide breaches in the walls, of
which the soldiers took instant advantage.
Goods use and control of the forces he has him.
self appointed 10 more wonderful than any mere
working of new wonders, which seem to suit
better the Joves Of heathenism than the Jeho-
yah Of tho Bible" Stanley and Van Lennep &C
cept the earthquake theory. Ewald believes in
a suddan assault