The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-11-25

GOLDEN TExT-"An things are pos
sible to him that believeth. Mark 9:3.
There is a wonderful teaching in
the story of the two memorials (Ch.
d 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:S1-33.
The stones in the Jordan stand typic-
ally for Ps. PILLS.
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
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 humanity speaking, how
utterly absurd. appear tho divine or
ders.
Jehovah's Word Followed.
II. Joshua's Instructions, Wv. 6-S.
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 2 Cor 1914, and
| the resultant victory was In no way
to give opportunity for human boast
| ing, Eph. 2:9; Cor. 1859. Joshua
did not set forth a 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
| 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, Wv. 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 al
(save two, Caleb and Joshua) who
crossed the Red Sea with Moses
Here we have the contrast. Sever
according to specific orders, is fol
lowed by victory and possession
What a strange sight this cavalcade
must have made The trumpet blow
ing priests; the ark. symbolic of Je
hovah's presence and typical o.
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 momen
Of our greatest victory.
Saved by Faith.
Faith used means ordered of God
foolish to man, and wrought grea
victory. Faithful obedience is here
wonderfully contrasted with formel
unfaithfulness. Joshua directs thu
spies to search out Rahab and sh'
and her household are saved accord
ing to promise, w. 1925. She alst
was saved by faith, Heb. 1881, ant
became one of the line from which
Christ came, Matt LIS. The onl!
part of the wall that remained stand
ing was that where Rahab's hous
stood, Wv. %, see chapter 2:15.
The teaching is very plain. AS tn
Israelites depended wholly upon God
were obedient to his orders, accepte'
his discipline, held back all passion
and covetousness, they entered int
the fruits of a victory that made cas-.
many subsequent ones. Their acts o
faith were more severe test thai
those more visible and carnal mean
of lighting battles.
AS these people of God had. crosse,
the Jordan, submitted to the rite o
circumcision, took their first marcl
in this land of promise and captures
this walled city which stood in tn
way of their progress. the unbelief o
forty years was rebuked. This was
day CT vindication for Caleb an
Joshua, a day Of proving that Go
was able to give victory to the peopl
In whom he delighted
The Golden Text illustrates wha
1t is to believe, when we recall tn
story from which it Is taken obed
ent faith in spite OF appearances. N
one can deny the absurdity of q PEI
pie walking around the walls OF
city blowing rams horns ard expect
Ing to possess it. Faith In both Q
these incidents depended upon tn
word OF God and did the apparentl
foolish thing. thereby demonstratin
It's wisdom, and his power
Faith is revealed also as the powe