The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1906-11-09


Gaddiel knew that his purpose and
ambition would be useless unless he
could secure the ear of Moses and win
his favor, and that afternoon he start
ed OF up the mountain to find him.
But Caleb was not idle. The inter-
view with Gaddiel had stirred him to
action. This schemer should not pre-
vail upon Moses to appoint him in
place Of Joshua. He would find
Joshua and warn him of the dangers
and troubles which threatened him.
Better that he should hasten at once
to Moses side and there receive the
commission which he felt rightfully
belonged to his friend.
When he had finished telling Joshua
his story, he waited for the latter to
speak, expecting that he would ex-
citedly declare that Gaddiel would
have a hard fight upon his hands. for
Joshua was man Of intense spirit
and deep pride, and his leadership
over the forces of Israel on several
occasions had proved him to be a
brave and able captain. But instead
of resentment and anger that one OF
the princes of Israel should seek to
set him aside, he bowed his head hum
bly, and said:
"Who am I, that should seek so
high a place? Is the leadership OF
Gods people a thing to be contended
for as one would strive for prize
in a race? Have not I served Israel
with an eye single to Gods glory, and
should l add this sin to my life that
I should aspire to so high an office?
Nay, l am unworthy this great trust.
Rather is my heart filled with crush
ing sorrow at the thought that we
shall lose our leader Moses. 1t can
not be, 1t cannot be-" he exclaimed,
as the full force of what it would
mean to Israel swept over him.
Surely God cannot have so pur-
posed" And overcome by his emo
lions Joshua arose and swiftly passed
out of the tent and disappeared.
Meanwhile Moses on the mountain
had heard God speak his solemn mess
age. saying:
Lift up thine eyes and see the
land which l have given unto the chill
dren of Israel And when thou hast
seen it thou also shalt be gathered
unto thy people, as Aaron, thy broth
err, was gathered. For We rebelled
against my commandment in the
desert of Yin, in the strife of the con-
gregation, to sanctify me at the water
before their eyes: that is the water
of Meribah, in Kadesh, in the wilder
ness of Tin"
And Moses spake unto the Lord,
saying:
Let the Lord, the God of the spir-
its Of all flesh, set, a man over the
CONGREGATION, which may go out be-
fore them, and which may lead them
out, and which may bring them in;
that the congregation of the Lord be
not as sheep which have no shep-
herd"
While Moses was speaking Gaddiel,
who had come up to Moses retreat,
had drawn nearer, so that now only
a clump of bushes separated the two
men. AS he listened and heard Moses
beseech the Lord that he would set
a man over Israel, his vainglorious
ambition overcame all sense of rev.
erence and modesty, and he started
impulsively forward.
At that instant the voice OF the
Lord was heard. saying:
Take thee Joshua"
The words which were bursting
upon the lips of Gaddiel died away,
and his face became ashen. 1t was
God speaking. He dare not interrupt.
With feverish eagerness he listened
while the voice went on to say:
take thee Joshua, the son of Mum,
a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay
thine hand upon him; and set him
before Eleazar, the priest, and before
all the congregation; and give him a
charge in their sight. And thou shalt
put some of thine honor upon him.
that all the congregation of the chill
dren of Israel may be obedient."
Moses. did not know of that trem.
bling, disappointed figure crouching
behind the bushes. And If he had, he
would not have tarried, for he had
an important commission to perform,
and the aged leader and prophet
FASTENED down the mountain side.
AS he came into camp he was greet
ed by the query:
where is Gaddiel? He went into
the mountain seeking thee"
1--WE have naught to do with Cad
diel this day. 1t is Joshua God would
honor" exclaimed Moses. Where is
he? Let him be summoned, together
with all the congregation of the peo-
pie. who shall come together before
the priest Eleazar, at the Tabernacle
door" But Joshua was not to be
found anywhere, and Caleb related
the experience of the morning.
The priest and people have assem-
bled according to the word OF Moses,
but still no Joshua has come. Moses
passes into the Tabernacle court on
his way to the holy place, for he
would inquire of the Lord concerning
the matter. AS he turns by the great
brazen bowl and passes the altar, an
object lying PROSTATE upon the ground
draws his attention, and stepping
thither, he finds Joshua, who in the
burden of his heart had come and
thrown himself before the Lords
altar.
And together they two walked out
before that great assembly and took
their place before Eleazar, the priest.
A great shout went UP, that was
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