Times-promoter., 1907-01-18


but since the miraculous crossing of
the Jordan and the destruction Of Jer-
icho and Al the vague fears which
had filled the minds of the inhabit-
ants had taken definite form in the
desperate resolve to unite and give
battle to Israel.
That very day deputation from
the kings of the Hittites, the Amor
ties, the Canaanites, the Perizzites,
the Jebusites, and others of the less
er tribes of the country urged them
to make alliance in the common cause
| against Israel.
'It is plain" the messengers said,
that these Hebrews seek war. They
arrogate unto themselves great i'm
portance, and have openly declared
contempt for our gods. They have
destroyed Jericho and All with the in
habitants thereof, and they would do
so to us. And because of this, oh,
men of Gideon, the kings of all the
country to the north and south and
along the coast of the great sea are
raising a great army to give battle to
Israel, and have sent us to urge that
your fighting men join them in this
war"
This speech of the messengers was
received with evident favor by the
chief men of Gibeon who had been
called together in council, and they
would at once have given assent to
the plan, had not old Second-ThougAt,
as he was called-because of his in
variable habit of saying: Don't be in
haste! Think it over! Think it overt"
-counseled delay!
1--WE will be better able to give
answer in the morning, after we have
considered well the matter" he urged,
and to this the rest had finally reluct-
antly agreed, and later, when they
had come together to talk the matter
over, old Second Thought said:
"We all know the mighty things
which the people of Israel have done
right before our eyes. Surely their
God is mighty God that he could
make pathway through the Jordan
and lead his people dry shod right in
our very midst. We have seen the
smoke of Jericho and All ascending
into heaven, and we know that the
strong armies of those cities could not
stand before Joshua and his men.
Then why should we hope to be
more successful than they? And even
though the armies of the allies should
be victorious, our country would be
devastated, for it is here that the bat
tie would be waged. Let us make
league with Israel and thus save our
lives and our city.
But" quickly interposed several
voices, "have you not heard that Is
rael will make no league with any OF
the inhabitants of the land, saying
that their God has forbidden it?"
"True," assented the old sage, un-
perturbed by the seemingly insur-
mountable difficulty, "but let us dis
guise ourselves and come to them as
from a far country. We shall put
old sacks upon our asses, and old
shoes and old garments upon us, and
we shall take old and rent wine bot
ties and dry and moldy bread, and
we will come to them, and tell them
that we have heard in the far coun-
try the fame of their God and how
nightly he has wrought and we have
come to pay homage to him and to
worship him. Peradventure they will
hear us and will make league with
u.s."
This plan at once met the approval
of the chief men of Gideon, and the
next morning when they had sent the
messengers Of the kings away they at
once began preparations to carry out
the plan.
And they went to Joshua unto the
camp at Gilgal Their arrival created
no little stir, and quickly Joshua and |
the chief men assembled, and the /!
strangers were admitted to their pres
ence, and to the statement that they |
had come from far country, Joshua
made answer:
"Our God has commanded us saying |
that we should not make league with
any of the inhabitants of the land.
Peradventure ye dwell among u.s."
Nay, but from far country are
thy servants come" they replied. BE
cause of the name of the Lord thy |
God are we come. We have heard the