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

In lhODOOllON'
In our rapid glance at the annals OF
the CONQUEST of Canaan, we pass over
many interesting passages. One OF the
passages passed over. 10 the period be-
tween our last lesson date and our pres
emit. records that after the battle with
the five confederate kings at Beth horon,
at .Josbua's command, in order that the
Israelites might complete the slaughter
of the discounted Amorites, the sun
stood still. Whatever may be claimed
to the contrary. intelligent belief OF this
record, in its literal form, is impossible.
While it is reasonable to believe that an
Inmanent God is a never-ceasing OPP
Grating Cause in his universe, state
msnt that He arrested the sun in its
mighty orbit, or stopped the earth on its
axis. in order to favorythe slaughter of
some of his children by others OF his
children. all equally dear to Him. cannot
be accepted as literally true without the
suspension of reason and common sense.
What is the meaning OF this
statementj in the Joshua-story! DR..
Ballou. more.than three-ecore years ago
fUniy. Eapositor 1897 discerned its
reasonable explanation. 1t was not de-
signed to be understood as literal his
tory. The statement is professedly
a quotation from lost book OF poetical
Hebrew legends. entitled 1.-THE Book OF
Jashar." or THE Book of The Upright
In the same lost book the author OF
Second Samuel G..17,1S) found 1.-THE
Song of the Bow or David's poetical
lament over Saul and Jonathan. Dr.
Ballou. in this discovery that the Joshua
story contains it's own explanation, vlr-
tually anticipated the exposition now
given by the higher critics.--In this
Interpretation the declaration that the
sun stood still is classified with other ex-
travagant statements of the old Hebrew
poets; as Qs...lii. 12.) the breaking forth
of mountains and hills into singing. trees
clapping their hands, as Judges v. 20),
the stars fighting against Sisera.
LESSON STORY.
While.it is hardly worth our time to
trace Neutrality-suspicious. to any extent,
it is essential to the understanding OF
our lesson to observe that Caleb was a
descendant of Esau. Jephunneh and
Heron Il Chron. ii. 49, are both indi-
Gated as ancestors Of Caleb; but as the
entire line is distinguished as proceeding
from Kenaz, and as we learn from Gen.
(xxvi. III that Kenaz was grandson of
Esau, we see therefore the significance of
Caleb being designated as the Kenizzite.
1t means that, while he was descendant
of Abraham. it was not by the Jacob
line. He was as.descendant of the Esau
who sold his birthright for bowl of
lentil soup; who,became the progenitor
of the powerful but outcast tribe of
Edom.
Caleb, however. was through his i'm
mediate ancestors connected. with the
Israelites. He had in sense even been
adopted into the Etribe of Judah. He
was. we remember.Eappointed by Moses
one of the twelve.spies, and was declared
to be the representative of. the tribe of
Judah. He was also appointed by Moses
one of the future,apportioners of the
Promised Land. He was apparently
chosen for this hazardous. work and re
sponsible office because of his exception
al personal qualifications.
The exploit of the spies occurred forty
five years prior tosour lesson-date. We
recall the outlines Of the story. Moses.
in answer to the demand of his people at
Kadesh barnea, appointed twelve spies,
each a representative Of one of the
twelve tribes. to spy out the Promised
Land and report:to the host. The spies.
after an absence of forty days returned
and ten reportedss that it was not posi-
BILE for the host of.Israel to conquer the
inhabitants Of the land toward which
the Israelites had been journeying; they
spoke glowingly OF it's beauty and fer
tility. but represented the people as
giants. and as very numerous and pro-
tected by walled cities. But the re-
naming two spies. Caleb and Joshua,
gave in the essential particulars a con
trary report. They declared it possible
and feasible for the host to take immedi-
ate possession of their promised country,
and advised prompt march for its con
quest. The report of the ten, however
was accepted and adopted by the host;
Caleb and Joshua barely escaped death
by stoning because of their heroic advice.
Moses, in Difference to the voice of the
people, was compelled TO delay the
march to Canaan; but he made the
striking prophecy that, of all the spies,
only Joshua and Caleb woul live to
enter the Promised Laud. and that the
host would now be so delayed that all
the adults who had left Egypt would die
before they found the land of which
they had started in search.
But to Caleb was specially promised.
in the name of the spirit Mum. xiv. 24).
Him aciH bring into the land aohere-
into he aceaat, and his seed shall possess
it.; that is, his children shall haven't in