The Raymer enterprise., 1913-12-18
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNl4YS(|1O0L
LESSON
C5y e. o. SELLERS. Director OF Evening
Department. The Moody Bible Institute.
Chicago)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 21
DIVISION OF THE LAND.

" s'iS 1N'NSs
LESSON TExT-Joshua l4l-l
GOLDEN TEXT-"Seek ye first the
kingdom OF God and his Righteousness:
and all these things shall be added unto
you."-Matt $50
Following the defeat at Al we see
Joshua building an altar at Ebal (ch. 81
and reading again "all that Moses
commanded" ". 35), to the Israelites
and the strangers as well. Then fol-
lows an account Of his campaigns. A
military critic has classed Joshua with
the Alexanders, Caesars. Napoleons,
Wellingtons and Grants Of all ages.
His dealing with the Gibeonites and
Its after effects was one error In his
campaign, for he failed to take coun-
sci Of Jehovah. At the close OF the
war (ch. ~ Joshua Is ready to divide
the long-promised inheritance. chap
ters 1921.
I. Those LEFT behind, w. is. Read
carefully Numbers ch. 80 to recall the
story Of those who. like Lot Of old.
saw good grazing land and chose 1t In
preference to that on the farther side
OF Jordan. that possessed by the chill
dren OF Anak." Subsequent 4 story
reveals the foolishness ofId bice.
the enemies OF Israel =" king
dom was broken up. Tho Levites
". ~ we're not to have portion but
rather they were to dwell in selected
cities with suburban property.
Caleb Not an israelite.
II. Caleb claims his inheritance,
w. 6.12. Joshua was old and stricken
In years 13:D and now Israel Is be.
fore him. each OF the remaining nine
and one.half tribes. to have appor
toned unto them a permanent dwell.
ling place after the long years OF viii
derness wandering, and the more re-
cent campaign OF subjugation. Before
Joshua casts the lot. however. Caleb
recalls the promise Moses had made
to him A. years before ". 10). From
n comparison OF v. 6 r. ". Gen. ISL
Gnd Josh. 1913 1t appears that Caleb
was not an Israelite by birth. but new.
ertheless he claims an inheritance
among them. based upon the promise
of Moses. the man OF God" because
he had wholly followed the Lord my
God" v. Q. His name literally means
"a dog"-yet this dog OF Gentle got
more than the crumbs that fell from
the masters table. Matt 1925. Caleb
rested upon the sure word Of God. and
to remember this promise was not ar
act OF selnshness. How those events
in the valley OF Esche must have
stood out in the memory OF Caleb and |
Joshua. They remembered how their
companions caused the hearts OF the |
people ito melt" Mum. 1887. That
days work was one OF serious results |
and 80 shall it be for their imitators
OF the present day. To see the giants
and not as Caleb. to see God had |
brought death. In his heart, however,
Caleb treasured Gods word and now
at eighty-hve he has not alone beer
kept alive" but he Is as strong as
on that day, when In the prime OF his |
manhood, Moses had sent him forth |
with the twelve.
Remembered Gods Promise.
~. A promise fulfilled w. 1915.
Joshua at once recognizes the justness
and validity Of Caleb's claim. He re-
mcmbered Gods promise. Mum. 1924.
30: Deut. 1858. therefore he at once
grants the request and adds to 1t his
blessing. Hebron. means Joining"
union" fellowship" Thus We see
Caleb entering into all the rights,
privileges and blessings OF any Of the |
descendants OF Jacob. Is this MOI |
typical Of our privilege In Christ Je.
sus? John 1876; 4:20; |. John l:3.
See also Matt. Sill. IL. The only con.
ditIon is that Of faith in God and In |
his Word. Gal. 81. 26, 80 Thus faith
III the case Of Caleb Is revealed as the |
principle which follows fully, waits pa.
tently. asks for new opportunities for
Its exercise. and gains finally a vic. |
tory."-G. Campbell Morgan.
The Golden Text. The essential
value OF this lesson is expressed in
these words Of our Lord To seek the
kingdom OF God and his righteousness
first, Is the matter OF supreme Impor.
tance and involves following the Lord
fully. Frequently. constantly. this
means long postponement OF the
day OF our visible vindicatlon. Ys,
such postponement Is not the result
OF tho capriciousness OF God, nor Is
It delayed beyond the hour necessary
for the working out OF the plans OF
Jehovah, In accordance with the very
best means. As Caleb waited those
i5 years his strength waSed not, and
oil things needful were supplied. Tho
point is not 30 much that he at last
gained the inheritance, but that dur.
ing tho period OF waiting his susie.
nance and his ralment were provided
All through the year we have been
hearing OF promises which we're con.
ditional upon loyalty to God and obe-