The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-31

promise of Moses? But this does not
take into account the chief factor in the
problem,-namely, the race-bigotry of
the Israelitee. They had become satur-
ated with the belief that they, as the
children of Israel, were selected and
superior people; all other tribes and
races were to them inferior, fit only to
be their servants. They could endure
Caleb while he made no pretension of
equality with them. But now that he
demands foothold for his family in the
real estate OF the Promised Land. what
will they say to him? Will Joshua dare
to disregard the race bigotry of his peo-
pie? This same race bigotry has been a
powerful motive in the war of conquest
Will it be safe to disregard it now, and
adopt an alien into the household of Is
rael?
When the time comes for speech Caleb
is permitted to make his own plea. He
is, with his other excellences, speaker.
He was, we recall. the speaker when he
and Joshua had the brave minority re
port to make. He is now, in the pres
ence of his old friend, permitted to speak
for himself and his children.
He tells in simple, straightforward,
soldierly way, the story we have already
learned. He recalls to Joshua's memory
Joshua has had so many things to &C.
cupy his mind that it is not strange that
the facts now to be recalled should have
become obscured in his recollection, he
recalls that Joshua himself is witness
to the promise Moses made to him in
Kadeshbarnea. Caleb recalls that he
was, at forty years Of age, selected by
the great wilderness-leade as one of the
spies. He declares that he was faithful
to this trust; brought him aOord again,
as acds in mine heart. 1t was in the
heart of Caleb to further the fulfillment
of the promise to Abraham, it was not
possible for him, like the cowardly ten,
to exaggerate the difficulties, for the dis
heartening of the people.
For this service, Caleb now declares to
Joshua, their great leader Moses prom
ised that he should have an inheritance
with the blood descendants of Israel in
the promised country. Surely said Mo
SEES. the land achereon thy foot hath
troddem shall be an Inheritance to thee
and thy children forever.
2. Caleb claims the Fulfillment
of Moses Promise, VS.. 9-12.
Caleb continues his story before
Joshua. Forty-fve years have passed.
He says that. according to the promise
of Moses, he has been kept alive, while
so many have died. Lo, he says, am
this day four score and fUe gears old.
Yet he means by this, as he proceeds
to declare, no intimation that he has
outlived his usefulness. He sees before
him Joshua, yet older man; and can
not have forgotten that Moses continued
his activities till he was an hundred and
twenty. As ny strength aeos then. says
Caleb, so is my strength noao for aoar, to
90 out and to come in.-that is, for pro-
jecting enterprises and being alert for
his followers security.
His old age was hale, because his life
had been temperate and upright. His
reference to his unspent strength was
for a reason which was soon made mali
fest.
Noac, therefore, he says, give me this
mountain aohereof the Lord spake in
that day. 1t was the mountain district
OF Hebron Caleb desired as his allot-
ment. 1t was in the section of the
Promised Land which was yet in the
hands of the Canaanites. 1t would have
been like some men to have asked rich
section of land already conquered 1t
was like the brave old Caleb to ask for
domain yet in the possession of the
enemy. 1t was moreover the place re
ported to be hardest to subdue. For
thou hedrdest in that day. says Caleb
referring to the days when they were
fellow-spies, hoac the Anakim acre
there and cities great and fenced 1t
was, we infer, the place where the ten
had seen the large men they had called
sons of Anak, or giants, which had
awakened in them such fear; and there
were also, no doubt. formidable defences
against invasion. But Caleb coveted
this special place. Moses not having
designated his allotment, he solicits this
one as answering to his desire.
1t may be that one reason why Caleb
wished this special domain was because
it contained the cave of Macpelah, where
Abraham and Sarah and Isaac were
buried. These were. 1t will be remem.
bered. his ancestors as we'll as the ances.
tors Of the Israelites; for it was not till
after Isaacs day that the Abrahamic
family had divided into Israelites and
Edomites. This may have been very
properly reason why Caleb should de-
sire this particular apportionment.
1t was like Caleb not to be dismayed
at the prospect of battling with the
powerful people now in possession of his
coveted allotment. 1t is characteristic
OF the man to say: 1t mag be that the
Lord shall be Nth me, and shall drive
them out, as the Lord spake.
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