Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-10-24
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
international Lesson Comments For
October d.
Subjects; Joshua and Caleb, Josh. xiv, Sis
Golden Text, Josh. XIV, l4-Memory
Verses, I2.l4-Commentary on the
Days 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 o1tep
urged, On what principle can the rlgnt
eousness of God in extermmatng the IA
NANTES be indicated? They were de-,
stroved for their excuses, wilful, habitual
and incurable wickedness. Lev. 49, 24-IU'
Their abominable customs show that the
prossest vices had become inherent IN the)I
national character. In the destruction OF
the Canaanites by Gods people the ma
lions were convinced, not only OF the SUI
creme power of the God of Israel, but also
IF His utter adherence of the abomlna
lions for which they were destroyed. wee
is infectious If any of these idoiatrous
tribes were spared they would taint the
Hebrews. Moreover this growing corrup
lion might have polluted the whole ancien'
world
The cause of the defeat of All 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 ac'
count of the conquest in the north where
the armies OF the kings were defeated at
| the waters of Merom. Finally, after about
! six years of war, the land was so far sub
dued that it could be divided among the
different tribes. Divided the land" They
agreed upon the portion to be given each
tribe.
6. Children of Judah" Judah was the
fourth son of Jacob. I'm Gilgal.' 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 APP
pointed to assist i'll 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 60 under Moses drcc.
ton to spy out the land. He gave faith.
full report, and had faith in God, and God
promised him the land which he trayersed
in his search. Deut / SO. 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. Ca.eo came
with his request before the lots were cast
for the land. The promise of God was
sufficient and Caleb would show that it
would be in vain and needless TO try by lot
to fix upon his portion in Canaan. All the
people seemed to fully consent that Hebron
was the land intended for Ca eb.' Con
corning me and thee Joshua was the
only other spy that was faithful and he.
lieving, and both were permitted to "ntcr
Canaan.
7. "Forty years old was L. "The Whole
mind that Caleb remembers his age. and
~ hat ho
memory. They were the two Oldest men
in Israel at this time. A recollection of cd
times would cheer them, especially now
that the promises made to them were ready
to be fulfilled" Moses" etc. Caleb
manifested great respect for Noses. in his
character Moses was "the man OF God
in his occupation the servant OF the
Lord" an mine heart" He spoke his
honest opinion in the matter of which he
was sent to search out. He was not In.
huenced by fear or favor, but spoke the
ruth and that only.
s. "My brethren" Words OF tenderness
for his old comrades. Heart. :: met"
The other ten spies. by their evil report
of Canaan. influenced the people to rebel
against going in to possess the land, so 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 III
the very pose of his body, and the calm
confidence of faith in his very look and
attitude"
9. "Moses swears." Moses declared by
authority from God that Caleb should be
rewarded. Mum. a. "a: Deut. L. &c..
10. "Kept me alive" Caleb had not
only been brought through the perils of
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.
IL. "Yet | am as strong" Though
eighty-fve years old he felt as able to en-.
ter his possessions that God gave him as
when the promise was first made. God
would not appoint him to d place and pro.
long his. days and then change because OF
his age. "All our times are in His hands,
all events at His command" What though
the sons of old Anak were tall, and giants
in strength! What though Hebron lay in
a mountainous region, he could go gladly
and confidently.
IL. Give me this mountain. Though
1t 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 he was old, yet he was strong
in faith as well as strong physically. The
only equipment he needed was Gods con-
tnued presence, which he believed would
insure victory over giants and walled cities.
His faith for the overthrow of those enc.
mics had only waxed stronger since his
first disc overy of them, forty-fve years be-
fore. His truthfulness, piety and faith,
fulness in former years had grown. SO that
his relish was keen for the battle"
10. Joshua blessed him." He not only
admitted the claim, but, in a public and
earnest manner, prayed for the divine
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.
pular providence as q reward for his de.