The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-04
Fourth Quarter; Lesson T.; October D,
 1909; Joshua, i, Ill.
Joshua Encouraged.


 The generation of the Exodus was Head, but the incaleulable gains Of its travail in the wilderness were trans, mitted to the new generation which stood on the threshold of Canaan. They re, ceived as a legacy an incomparaple moral and ethical code, a most significant rlt- ual, a well-defined theocratic govern ment, and the ever-thrilling story or the wonders God did in the wilderness forty years. No people were more richly en- dowed But the time when Israel was to be chiefly receptive was passed. With all the spoils of twenty generations, me nation was on the point of protecting u. self into a new arena. The pilgrim race was a. length to cease it's wanderingss;; and enter into it's rest" but not until it had won it from the heather. "Con- quest!" was the keynote
 for a great, determined, -actful, inspir- ational leader. Joshua was Jehovah Sd, yior for his people, Good blood coursed his veins. He was directly descended from Joseph in the eighteenth generation fr pm Ephrair. He mad drunk the bitt 1T eup of servitude, and had been a slave in the brickyards of Egypt. He saw the plaques ands miracles of the exodus. lie became Moses minister" more prop erly, his adjutant. He alone went part way up Sinai with Israels mediator, and was first to greet him as he descended the mount. He learned the art or war, and had defeated the fierce hordes of the Bedouins. He had already conquered the whole te -ritory east of the Jordan and in- stalled the tribes and the half tribes m their possessions. Thus 1t was no novice who was stepping to the fore in this crisis hour. He was in his S5th year when . Moses solemnly and publicly invested him with definite and supreme authority. With that quiet dignity aAd conscious ness of his personal resources, Joshua took up the reins of government as the
 .Nf Moses.
 His very first move proves him the eX perienced military commander He seeks a full quota of troops for the campaign, and so makes po"erful appeal TOT I IIa ternal assistance to the two tribes and the half tribe, asking them to redeem their pledge to help the other tribes con ouer the remaining territory. Next he turned his attention to the commissariat. He sends the officers of the people 1shoterim) through the camp. with or ders for the people to prepare victuals.
 Next he sends the spies to Jericho, which he recognizes as the Gibraltar of Ca naan. They are to take account or us garrison and defenses.
 The Divine address to the new leader has been aptly called an enlivening ex- hortation. The formal announcement or Moses death is suggestive that another and new type of leader is required. Jehovah as the theoretic commander, orders the crossing of the Jordan, the natural barrier, and the invasion of Ca ns9n Divine and comforting assurances of success are mingled with the general orders from headquarters. The general boundaries of the territory to be con o1ered are defined from the great and terrible wilderness in the south to the white mountain Oebanon) on the north: from the Euphrates. that great river" 4n the east. to the sea at the setting of the sun The Divine constancy Ao Moses is cited as pledge of similar constancy to Joshua Jehovah will not fail or for sake his captain. Only he is to be strong snd courageous These are not vague terms. It is not strength and frmness in general Joshua is to have. but strength ~ |he hands and firmness in the knees He Is to be strong to grasp and firm kneed to withstand hostile assault; And tba source of strength is found in the Scriptures It is to be Joshuas medita- ton day and night. Implicit obedience Is to be given it. He is not to turn from # to the right or left. It being the man ~, his counsel, he will have good suc- Cass and his way shall be prosperous In spite of all odds. he is to be strong and of good courage. He Is not to be arrad or dismayed; for the constancy of the Divine presence is assured.