Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-10-18
The SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
October 10.
Subject: The Fall OF Jericho. Josh. W., }, 20
Golden Text: Heb. XII, 3J-Memory
Verse. 20 = Commentary on
the Days Lesson.


s. when Joshua had spoken" When
he had given them directions as God had
commanded him, as to how they should
proceed to take the city or Jericho The
escape of the spies, whom Joshua had
sent to learn the condition of the city, had
aroused the king OF Jericho so that he took
extra care to have the gates OF the city
well secured against any further intrusion
from the Israeiites. The seven trumpets. "
These instruments were probably made oil
horn, and were the same as used Oh the
jubilee. Before the Lord Before the
ark, called the ark OF the covenant, Tor it
contained the tables on which the cove.
nant was inscribed. Blew" Instead OF
the dreadful trumpet OF war, they sounded
the trumpet OF JOY, as already conquerorsi
acting faith in the promise OF God. The
ark-followed them" This was 4 sym.
Dol OF Gods presence, and showed that all
the victories OF Israel were from Him. BY
LnIs token the faith and patience of the
people were increased. The priests went
ahead that they might give the notice OF
their coming, and lead the way Tor the
great company which followed.
o. The armed men went before. The
soldiers took the lead To clear the way OF
distractions. The rearward." The whole
company OF Israel followed in the line OF
march. The order OF the procession seems
20 have been, l. The soldiers. ,. The seven
priests, blowing continually on large horns.
5. The ark. 4. The main body of Israel.
The procession probably kept at safe
distance from the walls, so that no weap
pns or missiles could reach them.
10. "Ye shall not shout" 4ne procession
was made in deep and solemn silence, ex
actly as Joshua directed, without acclama
ton or noise of any kind. 1t seems a
strange manner for battle. No mount was
raised, no sword drawn, no engine planted,
no pioneers undermining. 1t was by strik-
ing terror to their feelings that Jericho was
to be taken and subdued. There were
armed men in this approaching army, but
no stroke given. They must walk and not
fight. Nodoubt the people were astonished
at first sight, but when they failed TO re-
ceive any hurt at first, they most likely
made fun of the spectacle. Until the day
[ bid YOU" Their victory would come by
perfect obedience to every command.
II. Rose early" To begin the march,
They began early because they were intent
on gaining the victory. Every day was
equally important that the victory might
be obtained.
IA. $50 they did six days" Though
lately come into Canaan, and their time
very precious, yet they must linger so many
days about Jericho, seeming not to make
any progress.
10. "0n the seventh day" The repeated
use of the number seven must not pass UNI
noticed. Seven priests" seven trum-
pets seven days" and ''seven times on
the seventh day" Seven denotes perfec
ton. Gods ways and works are all per-
tect. One of these seven days must have
been a sabbath day. The Jews say it was
the last, on which the city was taken; and
as they were doing the work of God, for
His glory, no objection arises against it
from the fourth commandment, any more
than against the man carrying his bed on
the sabbath day in honor of Christ who
had healed him. Ii this be an illustration
OF the way to spend our sabbaths, then
are we not instructed TO do on that day
seven times as much service for the Lord
ms on other days? They rose early"
Here not only Joshua rises early, as in "
IL, but also the whole army, because
great days work was before them Early
risers gain many victories that otherwise
would have been lost.
10. When the priests blew" At the
exact time when God declared victory
They kept in tune with God. Their ex-
pectations were so great, their faith so
firm, their ear so well tuned, that their
voices were at once raised to sound the
note of triumph when God said shout
'.Shout." They were to shout BY faith as
though the victory were already gained.
This they did and the walls fell only after
they had declared it aloud. There is much
in the shouts of Gods saints l. 1t strikes
terror to the hearts of their enemies . 1t
inspires courage in the weak and falterng.
Gideon went forth to victory with a shout
1t Is said that the soldiers of Oliver Crom.
well came to feel that there was no defeat
for them, and they rushed into battle with
a shout that caused the enemy to flee ter
ror stricken. NJ Jesus gave His followers 4
license to shout His praises. Luke 10: 40.
Shouting saints seldom become discouraged.
But OF course there is no virtue III the
noise; God looks at the heart and if that
is pure we are accepted by Him.
II. The city shall be devoted. :. to the
Lord Or. W. The word from which the
word 'accursed," or devoted" comes de-
notes ito cut off, to devote, to withdraw
from common use and consecrate to God"
This was the first victory in Canaan. 1t
was Israeps first fruits. and as such must
be devoted to the Lord. The Canaanites
were slain because of their great wicked
ness. They had become corrupt and their
punishment was just. In the last day all
the wicked of the earth will fall beneath
the anathema OF the Judge.
Is. Keep yourselves" etc. See II. V.
ut would be sacrilege to dedicate the
whole to Jehovah and then to take posses
sion of a part for their own use"
Make the camp. accursed' Or. W. If
my one should take for personal use that
which had been dedicated to God, it would
De the means of bringing curse upon
hem, and the camp would be troubled
ind distressed because of it.
10. The silver" etc. Everything o.
.alue was to be set apart for the service
Of the tabernacle, and counted among the
sacred things. God would be honored by
.nriching His dwelling place His cause is
built up by the destruction of the enemy's
strongholds. This would teach the Israel
ties not to set their hearts on worldly
wealth. and would show the nations around
that they were not set of marauders,
seeking for plumber. There was also spe-
cial danger at this point lest Israel should
become contaminated by these heather
nations.
20. Fell down flat" Several commenta.
tors. both Jews and Christians. have sup.
posed that the ground under the founda-
ton of the walls opened and that the
walls sunk into the chasm, so that there
remained nothing but plain ground for the
Israelites to walk over Probably the
wall fell down from its foundations in
every part. This miracle put into the
hands of Joshua the strongest city in
Canaan. 1t also gave both Israel and
Canaan overwhelming proof of the omni.
rotence of Jehovah and OF His alliance
with Joshua