The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-10-22
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER rs.

Sis. 6oldsa Text. Josh xiv. ID
Memory verass. 1:.l< - Cemmentsry
On the .Day's Lesson.
Explanatory. The period Of conquest
from the taking OF Jericho until the time
Of our present lesson, when the people
were gathered at Gilgal to divide the land,
was about six years. The question Is often
urged, On what principle can the right.
eo1sness Of God in extcrminating the "a.
naanites be vindicated! They were dc.
stroyed for their excesses, willul, habitual
and incurable wickedness. Lev. Is: A-30.
Their abominable customs show that the
grosscst vices had become inherent IN their
national character. In the destruction OF
the Canaanites by Gods people the m.
tions were convinced, not only OF the sd
preme power of the God OF Israel, but also
OF His utter adherence Of the abomina.
tions for which they were destroyed. Vice
is infectious. II any Of these idolatrous
tribes were spared they would taint the
Hebrews. Moreover this growing corrup.
tion might have polluted the whole ancient
world.
The cause Of the defeat of Al, and the
terrible punishment meted out upon Achan
for his sin, should be dwelt upon. The
defeat taught the Israelites the necessity
OF strict obedience to God. After the
taking Of Al comes the story Of the Gideon.
ties, which is followed by the conquest Of
southern Palestine. Then we have an nc.
count OF the conquest in the north wnere
the armies OF the kings were defeated ut
the waters OF Merom. Finally, after about
dued that it could be divided among the
different tribes. Divided the land" They
agreed upon the portion to be given each
tribe.
8. Children Of Judah" Judah wss the
fourth son of Jacob. I'm Gilsal." This
was the first place where the Israelitcs
camped after crossing the Jordan into
Canaan. Thou knowest." etc. Caleb
was of the tribe Of Judah. and was ap-
pointed to assist in making the division
Of the land. Lest he might be charged
with trying to choose the best for himself.
he brought others of his brethren when he
came before Joshua that they might be
witnesses to his justice. Caleb had been
one of the spies to 20 under Moses direc.
ton to SPY out the land. He gave faith
full report. and had faith in God, and God
promised him the land which he trsversed
in his search. Dcut.l: 6. Joshua was ac-
quainted with this fact, and Caleb quotes
that fact to him before the witnesses, that
it might stand as his motive in making
his plea for certain portion. Caleb came
with his request before the lots were CAS-.
for the land. The promise OF God was
sufficient and Caleb would show that it
would be in vain and needless to try b. lot
to fix upon his portion in Canaan. AL the
people seemed to fully consent that Hebron
was the land intended for Caleb" Con.
corning me and thee" Joshua was the
only other spy that was faithful and be.
lieving. and both were permitted to enter
Canaan.
7. Forty years old was l." ''The whole
circumstance was 90 clearly fixed in his
mind that Caleb remembers his age, and
the place, so that he can refresh Joshvl's
memory. They were the two oldest men
in Israel at this time. A recollection OF old
times would cheer them, especially now
that the promises made to them were ready
to be fulfilled" Moses" etc. Caleb
manifested great respect for Moses. in hi.
character Moses was 'the man Of God"
in his occupation "the servant OF the
Lord" I'm mine heart" He spoke his
honest opinion in the matter Of which he
was sent to search out. He was no. IN
fuenced by fear or favor, but spoke The
truth and that only:
8. MY brethren" Words OF tenderness
for his old comrades. Heart. :. melt"
The other ten spies, by their evil report
against going in to possess the land, 30 that
fear caused their courage to fail, and they
turned again to wander in the wilderness.
wholly followed the Lord" He had done
his duty and constantly aimed at the glory
OF God. Caleb is one Of those men whom
we meet with seldom in Bible history. but
whenever we do meet them we are the
better for the meeting. Bright and brave.
strong, modest and cheerful, there is hon.
esty in his face, courage and decision in
the very pose Of his body, and the calm
confidence Of faith in his very look and
attitude"
o. Moses swears." Moses declared by
authority from God that Caleb should be
10. Kept me alive" Caleb naG not
only been brought through the perils ni
the wilderness, but he had been preserved
from death in this war Of conquest. Length
of years only caused him to more deeply
desire to be perfectly obedient.
II. Yet I am as strong" Though
eishty.five years old he felt as able TO en-.
ter his possessions that God gave him Is
when the promise was frss made. God
would not appoint MIN TO place and pro.
long his days and then change because Of
his age. "All our times are in His hands.
oil events at His command" What though
the sons OF old Anak were tall, ana giants
in strength! What though Hebron lay in
a mountainous region, he could go gladly
aad confidently.
II. Give me this mountain" Though
it was already his, by promise, he would
respect the position and authority OF
Joshua. and have it granted him lawfully.
Though it was the most difficult to over
come. and be was old. yet he was strong
in faith as we'll as strong physically. The
only equipment he needed was Gods con.
tinued presence, which he believed would
insure victory over giants and walled cities.
His faith for the overthrow OF those enc.
rlies had only waxed stronger since his
first discovery Of them. forty.fve years BE-.
fore. His truthfulness. piety and faith.
fulness in former years had grown. 80 that
his relish was keen for the battle"
l3. Joshua blessed him" He not only
admitted the claim, but, in a publv and
earnest manner, prayed for the Hivine
blessing to assist the efforts OF Caleb in
driving out idolatrous occupants. No
doubt Joshua commended Caleb for his
courage and piety. and mentioned this SIN
gular providence as reward for his de.
voted Ike.
-t.I I>Ah