The Brinkley argus., 1913-12-05

 GOLDEN TExT-"All things are pos sible to him that believeth. Mark 9:2a. There is a wonderful teaching in the story of the two memorials (Ch. 4) that Joshua erected after Israel had passed over the Jordan. One IS left to be overwhelmed by the river. the other is erected in Gilgal. They mark the distinction between Christ's death under judgment in the believers place, and the believers perfect deliverance from judgment. See Ps. 42:7 and SS:7; Josh. 12:31-33. The stones in the Jordan stand typic- ally for Ps. 22:1-18.
 In chapter five is the record of the reproach of unbelief, rolled away" (v. 9) the cessation of the mama (v. 12) and the appearance of the cap tain of the Lords host" (vv. 13-16) unto Joshua as he was making re- connaissance before Jericho.
 l. Gods Orders, w. IS. The fame of the Israelites had preceded them (ch. 2:9) and that this was added too by the miraculous deliverance at the Jordan is suggested in verse one. Verse two suggests that again they must proceed upon the bare word of Jehovah and humanly speaking, how utterly absurd appear the divine or ders.
 Jehovah's Word Followed.
 n. Joshua's instructions, w. 6-o. A reading of this section reveals the fact that Joshua diligently followed out the word of Jehovah. Preceding the people was the ark, and we need to remember what it contained and that 1t is type of Christ. Following the armed men and the priests came the silent host (v. 10). No other sound than that of the trumpet (v. 13)
 The walls of Jericho are not to fall by the use of the ordinary imple- ments of war, see Cor. 10:4 and the resultant victory was in no way to give opportunity for human boast ing, Eph. 2:9; I Cor. 1:26-29. Joshua did not set forth more reasonable method;;" he did not alter Gods or ders; that he had no right to do, nor have we, Rev. 22:18, 19; John 3:2; Matt. 1856 The implements and the methods were foolish to those in Jericho and to all unbelievers, see Cor. 1:21-25. It was the priests who led with the Jubilee trumpets," typi- cal of the gospel which Paul tells IS the power of God" Rom. 1:16.
 III. The Obedient People, w. 9-16. One great act of distrust ana ois- obedience led to those years of aim less wandering accompanied by dis comfort and resulting in death to all (save two, Caleb and Joshua) who crossed the Red Sea with Moses Here we have the contrast. Seven days of patient, obedient marching. according to specific orders, is fol- lowed by victory and possession. What strange sight this cavalcade must have made The trumpet blow ing priests; the ark, symbolic of Je- hovah's presence and typical of Christ the silent multitude. Verify this new generation is being tested ere they enter into their promised fn- heritance. On the seventh day they arose earlier and were subjected to a seven-fold test. Our fiercest testing is generally just before the moment of our greatest victory.
 Saved by Faith.
 Faith used means ordered of God, foolish to man, and wrought great victory. Faithful obedience is here wonderfully contrasted with former unfaithfulness. Joshua directs the spies to search out Rahab and she and her household are saved accord ing to promise, w. 22-25. She also was saved by faith, Heb. 11:31, and became one of the line from which Christ came, Matt. 1:5. The only part of the wall that remained stand ing was that where Rahab's house stood, w. 22. see chapter 2:15.
 The teaching is very plain. As the Israelites depended wholly upon God were obedient to his orders, accepted his discipline. held back all passion and covetousness, they entered into the fruits of a victory that made easy many subsequent ones. Their acts of faith were a more severe test than those more visible and carnal means of fighting battles.
 As these people of God had crossed the Jordan, submitted to the rite oi circumcision, took their first march in this land of promise and captured this walled city which stood in the way of their progress, the unbelief oi forty years was rebuked. This was g day of vindication for Caleb and Joshua, a day of proving that God was able to give victory to the people in whom he delighted
 The Golden Text illustrates what it is to believe, when we recall the story from which it is taken-obedi ent faith in spite of appearances. Nc one can deny the absurdity of a peo pie walking around the walls of { city blowing rams horns and expect ing to possess it. Faith in both ol these incidents depended upon the word of God and did the apparently foolish thing. thereby demonstrating its wisdom, and his power
 II Faith is revealed also as the power