Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

LESSON TE&~'-Joshua hl-H
GOLDEN TEXT seek ye first The
Kingdom Of God ard his righteousuess.
and all these things shall be added unto
you" Matt G.a3
Following the defeat at Al we see
Joshua building an altar at Ebal tch 81
aud reading again all that Moses
commanded ". 3a1. 10 the lsraelites
and the strangers as we'll. Then fol
lows an account OF his campaigns
military critic has elassed 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 Cch IL Joshua Is ready to divide
the long promised inheritance. chap
tiers 1921
l. 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 i in
preference to that on the farther side
OF Jordan. that possessed by the chill.
dren Of Anak" Subsequent history
reveals the foolishness OF their choice.
for they we're the first TO fall before
the enemies OF Israel when the king
dom was broken up. The Levites
". a. were not to have portion but
rather they were to dwell In selected
cities with suburban property.
Caleb Not an lsraelite.
II. Caleb claims his inheritance,
w. Gig. Joshua was old and stricken
In years (l3:D and now Israel is be.
fore him. each OF the remaining nine
and one-haf 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 - years before ". l0l. From
n comparison of V. 8 Il. ", Gen. 10 ~
and Josh. 1913 II appears that Caleb
was not an lsraelite 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. 3 His name literally means
"a dog'-yet this dog Of Gentle got
more than the crumbs that fell from
the masters table. Matt 1926. Caleb
rested upon the sure word Of God and
10 remember this promise was rot an
act OF seliishness. How those events
in the valley OF Eschel must have
stood ont in the memory OF Caleb and
Joshua They remembered how their
companions caused the hearts OF the
people TO melt" Mum. l43T. That
days work was one of serious results
and so shall it be for their imitators
OF the presen; 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
~ eighty.fye he has not alone been
kept alive" but he is as strong rs
on that day. when in the prime of his
manhood. Moses had sent him forth
with the twelve.
M. A promise fulfilled w. 1915.
Joshua at once recognizes the business
and validity OF Caleb's claim. He re-
membered Gods promise. Mum. IA "a
30: Deut. ! 1888. therefore he at once
grants the request and adds TO II 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 not
typical OF our privilege in Christ Je-
sus? John 1876. 1920. !. John l.3.
See also Matt Sill. IL. The only con.
dition is that OF faith in God and Ia
his Word. Gal 81. &c. 30. Thus faith
in the case OF Caleb is revealed as the
principle which follows fully. waits pa
tiently. 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-
lance and involves following the Lord
fully. Frequently. constantly. this
means long postponement OF the
day OF our visible vindication. Yet
such postponement is not the result
OF the capriciousness OF God. nor Is
Il 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
Is years his strength waxed not. and
all things needful we're supplied. The
Point Ia not so much that he al last
gained the inheritance. but that dur
ing the period of waiting his susie
nance and his raiment We're provided
All through the year we have been
hearin,, of promises which were con
ditional upon loyalty TO God and ODE
dienee TO his will. To-day We see a
fulfillment OF the promise made over
and over again that Israel should pos
sess the Promised Land. DIR J. VII
bur Chapman asked Gen. William
no.,h for ,ha eaeraf NJ his eucefSs in