The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-04

TIN StCCESSOR.--The death of
| Mdaee in the land Of Moab made Joshua
the leader of Israel. lie had been pre-
pared for the place by a series of events
extending through many years. Probably
| he received military education in Egypt
| for soon after the exodus he led the
! forces to victory in the struggle with
| Amalek. (lIXodus. xvii, 49, Afterward
| he was the close companion or minister
| of Moses In the wonderful deeds at Sinai.
| EXODUS, Xxiv 13.) He was one of the
| twelve spies selected (Numbers. xiii. 81
to explore the land OF Canaan, uniting
| with Caleb in bringing a good report, for
| which he was rewarded Numbers. xiv,
| 30), and by which he obtained information
| that helped him in subsequent cam
| pagns. Some time before the death of
| Moses he was formally set apart in the
! eyes OF the people as successor to tho
| great law-giver Numbers. xvii 1873,
| and declared to he full of the spirit of
| God. deuteronomy. Xxxiv, 80
| THE COMMAND.-CVerses 1 and -
| But. though well qualified and fully au
| thori2cd Joshua was not permitted to act
| except by divine direction. 1t was not his
part to plan and execute but to listen
and obey. The Almighty was king of
| Israel, and His will only, when pro-
| claimed, was the sole rule of conduct.
! How long the people remained in camp
| on the east of Jordan cannot be known
they would never have departed had not
| God so ordered. One day the command
to advance came to Joshua. whether by
| audible word or by inward impression,
| matters not. The order was very sim
| pie and imperative. 1t alluded to the
death of Moses only as it imposed leader
ship upon the successor Go thou and
| all this people was the utterance that
a mad lnl,, .I.l..,
presented the objective point, unto the
land which do give them" that land of
| promise conveyed by warranty deed to
| Abraham Genesis. XIV. 1S) four centuries
| before. but reserved until the iniquity
| of the Amorites should have exhausted
| divine patience. Genesis. Xv, 16.)
The marching orders delivered to Joshua
We're accompanied by specific directions
| concerning the land to be entered it's
boundaries were plainly announced. COW
erinE the region which God had set apart
| as the home of Israel. A surveyor could
run the line in our day-from the wilder
ness, the place of encampmcnt, eastward
to the river Euphrates, five hundred Eng
| lish miles; thence up that stream and
then westward to the Mediterranean so
as to include the land of the Ifittites:
thence south along the coast to an in
definite distance on the way TO Egypt and
| to the place of beginning. 1t differed but
slightly from the description to Moses
| (EXodus. XXiii 31) This magnificent do
main was ample for the achievements of
people who We're called of God to n
high and holy mission. There was, how
ever, one condition in the gift-so much
only should be owned as the people
should possess. Wherever foot should
tread title would be acquired Deuteron-
deavor.
THE PROMISE.-(Verse 5)-A deed in
escrow is valued according to the terms
of its delivery. so it maght have been
thought that God had made conditions
that Israel could hardly meet. To cross
river. invade a populated land. sub
due its fortified towns deuteronomy. iX,
ID. establish government and maintain
permanent residence was indeed a great
Undertaking from which many would
turn In despair. TO attempt this with
men who had descended from Egyptian
bondmen, wanderers for forty years in
the wilderness. would seem to some fool
hardy But over against the difficulties
the Almighty set his promises. Il will he
with thee he said to Joshua. "as ! was
with Moses" EXODUS, iii, 12.) The de
liverances wrought by the mighty hand
OF God We're matters of history. to be
mentioned as guarantees of future favors
Even In that day divine presence was a
pledge of security and success. Phl., iv.
l3) Joshua was assured of victory over
every foe. deuteronomy, vii, ID
THE MlSSION.-(Nerse 6.)--lt is always
well for man to know what he is to do
the precise nature and extent of his
work. Then with singlencss of purpose
he can summon his powers for more Wig
off Acts A.
God gives information on this point the
man has added ground for steadfaStness.
In this instance Joshua was not left in
doubt concerning his mission Appointed
to lead the people over Jordan into Ca
naan. and afterward to wage successful
warfare against the inhabitants and so
taking possession Of the country. he was
also to he permitted to arrange the pre-
liminalios of the settlement, He would
not be called away from his high office
until he had effected a division and
awarded permanent quarters to the sew
cral tribes, This would be the final act
of his life Ills career would begin with |
the crossing and end with the settle |
ment-a definite, difficult but important
task was thus committed to him.
THE FlDEIlTi,-lNcrses ! to 9O-In |
tn" execution of such trust high |
grade man was needed No weak and IT. |
rosolute soul could enter this place and |
hope for anything but utter defeat. II Is |
also true that the cause depends upon |
him who inCarnates and represents IT, |
Joshua. selected not by popular suffrage.
but hy divine wisdom. trained and called |
into service. has In his keeping the well |
fare of his people and the destinies of the |
people unborn. Good and true as he was |
1t was deemed necessary to cxhort iide-
ity The Lord himself enioned the mt
md tlAA l,,.N. q