Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12

| ceived Inheritance east of the Jordan
| mum, Xxxii1-5), were directed to leave
| their wives, children and their fiocks and
help their brethren on the other side. with
promise OF return. The two sent out to
spy. the land entered Jericho secretly,
received help from Rahab, and returned
with valuable information. Their report
contrasting with that of the ten spies
'Num, xiii:3D, rendered forty wears
before, greatly encouraged Joshua
Josh. ii;2D. The camp was broken I'D az
Abel-shittem, where It had been for sew
eral months. and Israel moved toward the
Jordan, Josh, Hid In the spring of 1852
p Inc time had come for the realza-
lion of hope long deferred.
PREPARATION.-W an army ,s
ABOUT 20 invade an enemy's country an
Inspection is ordered and the whole force
Is put IN the best possible fighting condi-
'oh Ihere is no record of any such prep
aration of Israel. The orders published
1y me great commander were of far
inherent klnd, and were designed for the
entire assembly. ''Sanctify yourselves
was Joshua's command, delivered from
tribe to tribe, from family to family.
ms called for separation from all other
cares ana an entire devotion to God and
his service q Chron., xxix:0 1t doubt
less involved outward or physical cleans
lngs Eek, xix:1O. But these were
symbols of inward holy states or
affections an Moses had frequently given
the same command eek. xxviii:4D and
ward GOSH, vif:13). It was an ancient
method of urging the people of God to
reoedlcate themselves to God. Holiness
was deemed to be the prime condition Of
success vastly more important than mill
tary prowess Zach. iv:6). Joshua accom-
panied his order with this statement:
tomorrow the Lord will do wonders"
He desired the people to be ready for
the marvellous display which he foresaw.
ESCoRT.-Who shall go first in the
advance Of Israel? Shall it be the mighty
men, selected out of the tribes, as In the
attack on INDIAN? Oeut, xxxi:3-6). No;
there Will be no fighting on this side of
the river. Shall a company be sent to
ma FORD or construct boats for pas
sage over the swollen stream? No The
LORD VIII conduct this campaign and He
can remove or overcome obstacles BY
command of God "the ark of the cove
nant. borne by priests, was appointed to
precede all others by 1000 cubits" (verse
-, space Of nearly a mile This was a
visible pledge of Jehovah's presence and
protection. noble defiance of the enemies
OF israel, an admirable method of devel-
oping faith in the people. What a sublime
spectacle! Unarmed ministers of religion,
bearing small chest, held sacred above
all other objects, separated from the con-
gregation, unsupported by implements of
war, proceeding toward the great river
Whlch had overfiowed its banks and filled
the valley Let the centuries of unbe-
levers look on and learn the outcome Of
what all military leaders would consider
the supreme folly of religious fanatics,
PROMISE.-One man was specially
Strengthened for that hour. the new
leader Josh. 30. There is needed at
least one unfalterng heart on which the
many may trust in trying circumstances
SPOKE dl1prtlV InGhlta n
him know all the plan and the results
That Intelligence was accompanied with
a definite promise: This day I will begin
to magnify thee in the sight of all
Israel Verse y. BY that It was not
meant that Joshua should become an in
ilated autocrat, ruling the people accord
ing to his own Will. In such an event ne
would have been ruined and displaced
'Dan.' WE'D. 1t was purposed rather to
make Israel know that God was with
Joshua as He had been with Moses" TO
eIalt him as servant to the highest
place attainable by mortal Matt. xx:27).
There was much comfort in the words II
will begin" implying that after years
would witness other displays of divine
favor continuance of blessing and help
BY this promise Joshua knew that he was
not Just chosen fer an occasion; that he
would have an extended career, and at
the outset he was assured of increasing
usefulness and honor. not by seeking but
by the pleasure of God.
olI-NAL-A man may use his for
tunes and honors for one of two purposes
to inflame his vanity to advance his
cause. Joshua preferred the latter He
went directly to the people with the in
formation received from God In an as
sembly called for the purpose Cyerse %
he told them in considerable detail what
was about to transpire. through the ap-
polnment of the Almighty (verse ID what
actually came to pass Verse 49,. In doing
this he made no reference to himself or
to the results upon his position and in
fuence. But he declared that the won
derful events would be signal to the
nation, proof that God was with them,
and that he would drive out the Canaan
ties. His evident purpose was to awaken
hope and confidence In his followers. and
to direct their thoughts toward God as
their real leader. Two expressions used
by him, The living God" THE Lord of
the whole EARTH deserve special mention
BY the first he distinguished Jehovah
shipped by othed nations Il Chron., xvl:26).
By the other he recognized the universal
reign of God Zach, ix:10) in contrast
with the local jurisdiction assigned to
other deities.
WITNESS.-Great events in which
Gods power is displayed concern not one
time only. but reach out and affect all
times. After generations may revert to
them with profit. Joshua, therefore, de-
termined that the influence of Gods deal
ings should be extended into subsequent
years. Take you twelve men out of the
tribe of Israel. out of every tribe a man."
was his order (versa 12). The reason for
their selection does not appear in our les
son. Further on Josh. iv2-9) we learn
that they were to be witnesses, and that
they were to attest and CONNIE morata
what they saw. They were set apart in ad-
vance probably selected with care, that
every one might know them, and that they
might be ready to perform their part
when the appropriate time arrived. These
twelve would build a monument on the
west side of Jordan which should silently
announce to posterity the accomplishment
Of what other men had declared impossi-
BILE Numb. Xiii:32). So history would be
made to reverse the declarations of un-
belief and fear So all along the centuries
have been set up the high towers, showing
the triumph OF Gods cause over mans
weakness and folly!
WATERS.-Everythin thus prepar-
ed was evidence of faith. At last
Israel moved forward. Before the people
the priests advanced with steady step,
bearing the ark, the symbol and pledge of
success. Down they came to the river.
whose angry waters. increased by the
melted snow of northern mountains. filed
the banks and rushed onward toward
the sea. Without faltering they dipped
their feet IN the brim of the stream. In
response to that touch the foods were
stayed as If held by an Almighty hand.
The waters from above stood and rose up
like a wall, checking the torrents that
descended from the upper Jordan. The
waters below flowed on in their usual