People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-08-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for September /, 1895
The Fau of JerIcho- Joshna q. Q0o

lOHS~AAJ AoLsCu ClOuDCb , NOICo-
GOLDEN Text BY faith the walls of Jericho
tel down, after they were comprised about
seven days-Heb. II: 60
THE SECTION includes chapters and
TIIE-1he fall of Jericho was in April, B
e 1851, within three weeks after the last les
son. The conquest OF Canaan occupied the
next six years, b. c. 1851 to 1445
PLACE-The IsrIelites were encamped st
9ilgal about three miles i.Cl Jericho.
COMPARE Corinthians /: 25-3l Hebrews
II: 1914
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
As soon as the Israelites had gained
foothold in the Promised Land, and
were settled in their first camp at Gil
gal, two Institutions of religion were
renewed with great solemnity. First,
the peculiar covenant with God was re-
pewed by the sign of circumcision. This
covenant seems to have been suspended
during most OF the forty years of wan
dering. 1t was the visible token that
they were Gods children and inheritors
Of the promises.
The second religious institution to be
renewed was the Passover, which had
been omitted since they left Sinai. 1t
recalled to mind the wonders God had
done for them in delivering them from
Egypt, the most powerful nation then
existing. 1t thrilled them with assur-
ance Of faith. At the close of the Pass
over the miraculous mamma ceased, and
henceforth the people lived on the
fruits which the land itself supplied.
Chapter 9 should begin with verse 10
OF chapter 5. Verse of chapter 6 is a
parenthetical clause. Read verse i'm
mediately after 5; to obtain the con-
nection. Joshua was apparently re-
connoitering the city Of Jericho to see
what steps could be taken for its cap
ture. The Notifications were strong;
the lsraelites were totally unprepared
with mems for breaking down such
walls; the only way open to them
seemed to be the slow one Of siege
till the city was starved into surren-
der; but this would be a dangerous
plan, for it would give time
for all the nations Of Canaan to COM
bine in one grand attack upon the de-
fenseless Israelites. Doubtless Joshua
was praying to God for light upon this
most difficult of questions, when sud-
denly there appeared to him one with
a drawn sword in his hand. He de-
clared himself to be the captain of the
host of the LOrd-not of the earthly
armies alone or chiefly, but of all the
hosts Of Heaven, the angels; the organ
lied force of nature, all spiritual pow
ers and influences.
S. when Joshua had spoken" Civ
ing the orders he had received from
the captain of the Lords hosts.
"Trumpets of rams horns" The one
have is ten or twelve inches long and
makes an exceedingly harsh, loud, dis
cordant noise. Passed on before the
Lord" as represented by the ark.
9. The armed men went before:"
The soldiers took the lead as a matter
of defense against possible attack.
10. "Ye shall not shout, nor make any
noise until the day bid you
shout" The oricutals take a peculiar
delight in noise when our people.
are in dead earnest, they are generally
silent; but the more in earnest an
oriental is, the louder he shouts. Even
Arab boatmen, when in great danger,
and every man is doing his utmost in
struggling with the waves, will waste
lot Of strength and breath in shout
ing."-Hon. Selah Merrill. No sign Of
triumph was to be, raised, no words Of
rejoicing over the foe, nor of conscious
ness of strength. But in solemn, rever-
ent silence, as if God alone was speak
ing 10 them, in meditation and silent
prGy er they were to move around the
city, as if engaged in areligious service.
IA. 80 they did six days" Doubtless
these inhabitants of Jericho made
themselves merry with this sight.
Wicked men think God in jest when
He is preparing for their Judgment
Bishop Hall.
On the other hand, Kitto says: Eve
do not, with some, think the proceed
ing was likely 10 awaken the mirth of
the inhabitants of JeEicho-more likely
was it to make a solemn impression
upon their minds"
Is. ION the seventh day." The cir
cult was made seven times; en- all days
service.
II. 1.-THE city shall be accursed:" that
is, under ban" devoted to destruc-
ton" Nothing was to be used for
themselves, or the curse would come
upon them. "0nly Rahab, the harlot,
shall live" However bad her previous
conduct, she seems to have repented,
and trusted in the true God, and lived
good life henceforth, or she would
not have been married to a leading
IIsraelite, al ancestor Of Jesus; nor her
name to be one Of the only three WON.
en- named in his geneslogy.
10. "The silver" ETC., as being unde-
fled and not easily destroyed, was to
be turned over to public use. 1t was
forbidden also torebuild the city, and a
curse was laid upon whatsoever should
do it."
20. 80 the people shouted" at the
CLOSE Of the seventh circuit that day, or
thirteenth in all. The people stood en-.
cireling the city. THE wall fell down
fat" OF course the shouting and the
blare of the trumpets had no power to
overthrow the broad stone walls Of the
city; but it connected the people with
the miracle in outward form to show
that only as they We're really connected