Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-10-02
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
International Lesson Comments fc'
October 5.
Subject: Joshua Encouraged, Josh. l.. Ill
Golden Text: Josh. l., 9-Mem0ry
Verses, 8, documentary on
the Days Lesson.

I. "Now." This indicates a close cor
nection with what precedes. 1t is qulit
probable that the book of Joshua original,
begun with the last chapter of Dcuterol
omy. After the death" After the thin
days moruning were over. 1.-The servan'
Of the Lord" This was the official ttt
of Moses, as invested with a special mis-
sion to make known the will of God, anC
conferred great honor and authority. "lhs
Lord spake." The Lord did not spcah
with Joshua face TO face as lie did witt
Moses, but probably through the hiGt
priest. Mum. q: 1922. Joshua lis
name was originally Hoshca, Salvation, OF
prefix "Jeh," Jehovah, and his name be
came Jehoshua, shortened into Joshua
salvation from Jehovah. This name N
the Greek is Jesus and in Acts I: 4j and
Heb. 4: Joshua is called Jesus. Moses
;he, 'lawgver' led Israel TO the border
Joshua the prototype of Jesus brought
them over Joshua Was born in the land
of Goshen, Egypt. He was a dcscenddn,
of Joseph, through Ephriam. At this time
Sas distinguished for his courage, faith and
oety. "Son of Eu.." Nothing Is known
If Nun only that he was OF the tribe OF
Ephriam. Moses minister 1t was
customary for great prophets to be thus
attended by ministers or servants. thus
lad Joshua been trained in the best pos
iible school. Moses was the servant OF
Jehovah and Joshua the minister of Moses
A servant is less honorable than a minis
.er, but it is unspeakabiy greater to be
Jchovahs servant than the prime minister
,f the greatest earthly potentate.
2. This Jordan" Called the "des
,ender" because of its rapid descent of
thousand feet between the sea of Galiiee
md the Dead Sea- 1t is one Of the most
peculiar rivers in the world. 1t has many
:urnings and windings so that although
he distance between the two seas IA
on,y sixty miles, yet the river trayerscs
distance of at least two hundred miles,
md during that distance there are twenty
seven large cataracts, besides great many
mailer ones; thus on it goes Il foamng
.orrent plunging down into the "Sea of
SALT where its waters are lost in "briny
,ecthing caldron.' 1t is sometimes deep
md at other times shallow enough to be
iordcd. "All this people" According to
he second census (Num. 26 81 the war
:lors men over twenty years OF age, num-
oered COL ,730, besides $4,000 Levites. This
ustitics an estimate of not less than 1000,
MOO people altogether.
g. "Your foot shall tread" The entire
and was before them. and it depended
lpon their courage and faith how much of
t they possessed.
T. From the Wilderness" The bound.
aries of the land are here defined. This
Lebanon a double range of mountains
which formed the northern boundary.
'Euphrates.' The eastern boundary. In"
Mas the largest, the longest and the most
important of the rivers of western Asia,
IAittites.' A tribe of Canaanites living in
The southern part of the promised land.
They were the most powerful tribe IN Ca
,aan and the especial terror OF the ten
,pies. Gen. 10: Is. This was an important
promise, Ye shall possess the land of even
he dreaded Hittites. Great sea The
Mediterranean. Called great in com
oarison with the seas of Canaan. 1t IA
800 miles long and 1900 miles in It's
,rcatest width, and has an average depth
1f over half mile. Going down.
Meaning that this is the western boundary
Your coast This was a larger territory
han the Hebrews ever possessed, except
or a short time during the reigns OF DAVID
md Solomon.
). Not any man." etc. What promise
conflict. But the divine promise implies
condition. See VS.. 10. Il will be with
;hee." Joshua needed no other allies,
)ut he needed these great promises. y
,risis had arrived in the history OF the
iation, and he knew that Jehovah alone
;ould bring them into their promised in.
leritance. mot fail thee |. Gods pres
nee gives constant victory. Any man
nay conquer who fights with the Lord Oh
His side. . Gods presence is given II.
'espective of ability or social condition.
iod walks with all who fear Him-the
)oor, the needy, the prosecuted, the down
rodden. g. Gods presence once given
will remain with us forever, unless we dis
,bey Him.
6. "Be strong" etc Better, "be strong
md firm 1t denotes strength of hand
md arm to lay hold of and retain anything
within ones grasp; and tirmness in the
,nees, and ability to maintain ones posi-
ion against the attack of foes. The en-
PRESTON occurs with increasing emphasis
our times in this chapter, and is rather a
command than an eXhortation. Shalt
ihou divide" See h. V. The Lord shows
Joshua that che is the last link in the
'hain which unites prophecy and fulfill.
nent,' that "all the glorious possibilities
If his nation hinge upon his own personal
ialor and fidelity Joshua was to use all
lis military skill, and avail himself to the
Utmost of all the means, natural and Prov,
lential, placed within his reach. God will
lot help them who refuse to help them
Wlves.
T. "All the law" All the moral, cerc.
aonial and political precepts given from
Jehovah to the hand of Moses. Joshua
admonished that the law must be strictly
md carefully observed, if the great work
20 which he has been called was to be
mccessfully accomplished. He was to carry
nut its provisions to the letter 'STo the
light. Or. left" Perfect obedience is
represented by straight line, and course
,f sin by crooked way "Mayest pros
,er." There is no real or lasting pros.
berity outside of perfect obedience to all
,f Gods commandments.
8. Book of the law" Moses had al
ready written the law, and they were to
diligently study it and mediate upon it,
md their lives were to be governed accord
ing to its precepts.
8. "Thy God is with thee As the sol
hers valor is stimulated by the eye of
bis captain, so vivid realization of the
presence of God is a safeguard against
tearfulness and Encouragement.
TO- "Oficers of the people, These were
The leaders of the army whose offices en-
braced various duties. 1t seems to have
been part of their work to act as heralds,
and to prepare the tribes for action.
H. Prepare your victuals." The word
denotes food obtained in hunting. Al.
though the mamma did not cease until
several days after this, yet the superna.
tural supply probably began to decrease
,s the natural supply increased. God never
works miracles as premium to Incidence,