Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-07-20

S-Az3 LHs0S.z3SJ and Moses; yea
more, that, as
matthew's genealogy shows us, she
should have become the ancestor OF
the Christ But when we consider
that it was God who lifted her TO such
heavenly associations, that il was Gods
nnger which inscribed her name there
along side those of the patriarchs and
prophets, we must recognize her exalt-
ed place in sacred history and seek to
learn the lesson which this woman and
her remarkable story would teach. Let
us turn TO the book of Joshua and
read how and why she persisted not.
why 1t was that around her and the
members OF her family was thrown the
protection of the Divine arms, while
ali the rest in her native city misera
Oily perished. 1t is a strange and beau
uful story, bringing out as IT does in
such clearness and strength the
blessed Gospel story of Gods mex
haustible love and infinite mercy. Ra-
nap, type of the sinner, stranger To
God and doomed to distinctions; and
further, Rahab, a type of the repent
ant sinner who is found of God The
scarlet thread letting the spies down
TO safety and tied in her window
bringing salvation to her house in the
day when judgment fell, a type of the
Christ in His work of preserving the
saint and saving the sinner Jericho
a type OF the world lost in sin and
doomed TO destruction. This in out
line is the story and its teaching.
ERlCHO is to be destroyed Rahab
as a resident of that city is in aw-
ful peril. She, with the other inhabi-
tants, Is under judgment for sin. The
city and all therein are to be de.
stroyed. Rahab is in peril; she is face
to face with death. See her within
that doomed city. Each day as it
passes brings the day of judgment
nearer. Destruction is sure to fall
NO human power can deliver. AND
mere we have perfect picture OF the
world and the people of the world to-
day, for the world is under condemna-
ton for sin. The people of Jericho
are characterized in our text as DISC
bedient, and Paul in the fifth of Ephe-
SLAMS calls the people of the world the
children of disobedience" And "be-
cause or these things cometh the wrath
OF God upon them. God hath de-
clared all under sin, for among men
there is none that doeth good. no not
one" "All have sinned and come
short OF the glory of God" AS you turn
Dack and read the story of Jericho, you
can realize, as the inhabitants of that
doomed city could not. perhaps, that
IL was under the judgment of God. and
that destruction came swiftly and
surely, but be not blind, oh soul, to
the present condition and the impend-
Ing judgment. In Jericho you are
given in miniature a picture of the
world and the destruction which is
coming upon it. The peril Of Rahab and
OF jericho is your peril, to-day. oh
soul! You cannot escape God,
A ND note, now, the attitude of Rahab
n and of the inhabitants of Jericho in
the face of the peril which threatened
them. In Jericho there was only one ner-
son who wanted to know the true Cod
and to obey Him, and in the world TO-
DAY the proportion Is nearly the same
One listening 10 Gods voice and turnino
TO Him, where there are thousands who
are in disobedience and unbelief going
down to death and destruction. When
two of Gods messengers came to Jeri-
eho the people were eager and fierce tn
kill them. There was only one person
and that woman, who was willing to re-
ceve them. And how Jericho is a pic
ture of the world to-day. MuItitudes
multitudes in disobedience and unbelief
going down to death, while the few like
Rahab are being saved. Many are
called, but few are chosen" How is II
with you? oh, SOUL You who are in the
Jericho OF sin and rebellion against God
are You anxious, like Rahab. TO know
the true God and to be saved from vouf
awful peril of soul death. OF are YOU. as
did the people of Jericho. shutting up the
gates Of your heart tight. thinking to
keep God out? The citadel of your
soul must Some day fall before the on
ward march OF God. For time you may
think yourself secure but at last your
walls Of defense will fall with an awful
crash. and You will enter the presence
OF God naked and helpless Better the
attitude " Rahab than that of the rest
OF the city of Jericho Turn We. turn
ye." God cries, 'for why will ye die2"
PAlIABS attitude was one Of faith to-
N wards God and this condition of
heart led TO obedience to God When
she heard 81 the true God she believed
on Him. She wanted To know more Of
Him. Think you It wes chance circum-
stance which brought those spies to her
houoe? ] tell you ray. For wherever
there Is asoul which yearns TO know GOD.
there II is that God is sending His mes
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