The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-12-05

There Is a wonderful teaching in
the story Of the two memorials (Ch.
A. 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 1877; 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"
". 81 the cessation of the mama ".
12) and the appearance of the cap
tain of the Lords host" wv. 1915
unto Joshua as he was making a re-
connaissance before Jericho.
!. Gods Orders, w. is. The fame
cf 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 humanity speaking, how
utterly absurd appear the divine or
ders.
Jehovah's Word Followed.
II. Joshua's Instructions, Wv. SO.
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 it is a type of Christ. Following
the armed men and the priests came
the silent host ". 10). No other
sound than that of the trumpet ".
49,.
The walls of Jericho are not to fall
by the use Of the ordinary imple-
ments of war, see Cor 1914, and
the resultant victory was in no way
to give opportunity for human boast
ing, Eph. 2:9; Cor 1869. 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, 10; John 3:2;
Matt 1876. The implements and the
methods were foolish to those in
Jericho and to all unbelievers, see l
Cor. 1:21-25. 1t 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 and dis
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 in
heritance. On the seventh day they
arose earlier and were subjected to
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, Wv. 22-25. She also
was saved by faith, Heb. 1881, 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, Wv. %, 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 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 of
circumcision, took their first march
in this land of promise and captured
this walled city which stood in the
way of their progress the unbeiief OF
forty years was rebuked. This was a
day Of vindication for Caleb and
Joshua, day Of proving that God
was able to give victory to the people
in whom he delighted.
The Golden Text illustrates what
1t is to believe, when we recall the
story from which it is taken-obedi-
ent faith In spite of appearances. No
one can deny the absurdity of q peo-
| pie walking around the walls Of
city blowing rams horns and expect
ing to possess 1t. Faith In both OF
these incidents depended upon the
word of God and did the apparently
H.. n a. 80