The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-04
Oct. 5, 1902, Joshua 4, 1-11-Joshua
Encouraged.

Encouraged.
The generation of the Exodus was dead. but the
incaIcuable gains OF its travail in the wilderness
were transmitted to the new generation which
stood on the threshold of Canaan. They re-
ceived as a legacy an Incompatible moral and
ethical code a most significant ritual. a wel-ae-
fined tEeocratic government. and the ever-thrill-
ing story of the wonders God did In the wilder
ness forty years. No people were ever more rich
IN endowed But tho time when Israel was TO
be chiefly receptive passed. With all the
spoils OF twenty generations. the nation was on
the point of projecting itself into a new arena
The pilgrim race was at length to cease its wan
derings. and enter into its rest" but not until
il had won II from the heather. Conquest
the keynote
In this emergent situation the call was for
great determined. tactful. inspirational leader
Joshua Jenovah's savior for his people
Good blood coursed his veins He was directly
descended from Joseph In the eighteenth genera
tion from Ephraim. He had drunk the bitter cup
OF servitude and had been slave In the brick
yards of Egypt He saw the plaques and the
miracles or the exodus. He became Moses
minister more property. his adjutant. He
alone went part way up Sinai with Israel's
mediator, and first to greet him as he de-
scended the mount. He learned the art OF war
and had defeated the fierce hordes OF the Bed
GUMS. He had already conquered the whole
territory east OF the Jordan and installed the
tribes and the half tribe in their possessions.
Thus II was no novice who was stepping TO tbe
fore ia the crisis hour. He in his eighty
fifth year when Moses solemnly and publicly in
vested him with definite and supreme authority.
With quiet dignity and consciousness OF his per-
sonal resources, Joshua took up the reins OF gov
eminent as the natural and competent successor
of Moses
His very first move proves him the experienced
military commander. He seeks full quota of
troops for the campaign. and so makes a power
full appeal for fraternal assistance to the two
tribes aud the half tribe. asking them to re-
deem their pledge to help the other tribes
quer the remaining territory. Next he turned
his attention to the commssariat. He sends the
officers of the people (shoterim) through the
camp, with orders for the people TO prepare
victuals." Next he sends the spies to Jericho.
which he recognizes as the Gibraltar OF Canaan.
They to take account OF its garrison and
defenses.
The Divine address to the new leader has been
APPLY called an enlivening exhortation. The for
nal announcement of Moses death is suggestive
that another and new type OF leader is required
Jehovah. the theecratic commander. orders
the crossing or the Jordan. the natural barrier,
and the invasion of Canaan. Divine and COM
forting assurances of success are mingled with
the general orders from headquarters. The gen.
eral boundaries of the territory to be conquered
are defined from the great and terrible wilder
ness on the south to the white mountain Q.eb-
anon) on the north: from the Euphrates that
great river in the east, to the sea at the
setting of the sun. The Divine constancy to
Moses is cited pledge of similar constancy to
Joshua. Jehovah will not fail or forsake his
captain Only he Is to be strong and courageous
These are not vague terms. IL s not strength
and frmness In general Joshua IL to have, but
strength in the hands and hrmness in the knees
He is TO be strong TO grasp and firm need 10
Withstand hostile assault. And the source OF
strength is found in the Scriptures. 1t is
to be Joshuas mediation day and night
Implicit obedience is to be given IT, He is not
to turn from it TO right left 1t being the
nan OF his counsel. he Will have good success.
and his way shall be prosperous In spite OF
all ODDS. he is TO be strong and OF good cour-
age. lie Is not 10 be afraid or dismayed for
the constancy of the Divine presence is assured
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
new book OF the Bible opens TO US; Joshua,
called. not on account of authorship. but be-
cause of the hero who stands against the nsrra-
tive like white and bold-cut cameo against
background
1t is possible the book has suffered to some
extent by its rather arbitrary exclusion from the
first division OF ScriT ture-Pentateuch-of which
some believe II was originally part.
The contents for the part a stirring
narrative OF the conquest and division OF Canaan.
and an extremely accurate description OF the
land.
Yet the book is probably not the continuous
composition OF one writer so much as a collection
of historical notices. edited with admirable skin.
The framework and interpretations. however. are
not completely covered by the editor.
Moses, the Lords servant. was head There
was a great gap. BY whom could a vacancy
like that be filled. So to-day. In national and
world movements. leaders falling. II one
great personality happens not to to the fore
there must be augmented diligence among the
survivors.
The assurance of the Divine presence was TO
be no premium on inactivity. The Lords COM
mand Is. .Arisei' Go over Jordan.' His
people press soles OF their feet upon the soil
OF the land OF promise before God viii give 1t TO