The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-12-19

Following the defeat at Al we see
Joshua building an altar at EbaI (ch g.
and reading again "all that Moses
commanded" ". 35), to the Israelites
and the strangers as wels 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. III Joshua is ready to divide
the long promised inheritance, chap
tiers 1921.
|. Those left behind, w. is. Read
carefully Numbers oh. 80 to recall the
story Of these who, like Lot of old,
saw good grazing land and chose it in
preference IT, that On the farther side
of Jordan, that possessed by the Chill
dren of Anak." Subsequent history
reveals the fpolishness of their choice,
for they were 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 israeIite.
II. Caleb claims his inheritance,
w. GIG. Joshua was old and stricken
in years Q3: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 will
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 As years before ". 10). From
a comparison of v. 6 R. ", Gen. 1913
and Josh. 1913 it appears that Caleb
was not an Israelite by birth, but new
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. 9. 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 eafppeaa the sure word Of God, and
to remember this promise was not an
act of selfishness. How those events
in the valley of Eschel 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. 14::37. That
days work was one Of serious results
and so 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-five he has not alone been
kept alive" but he is as strong as
on that day, when in the prime of his
Moses had sent him forth
with the twelve.
Remembered Gods Promise.
III. A promise fulfilled w. 1915.
Joshua at once recognizes the business
and validity of Caleb's claim. He re-
membered Gods promise, Mum. 1924
30; Deut. 1858, therefore he at once
grants the request and adds to it 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; 1. John 1:3.
See also Matt. 8:11, IL. The only con-
dition is that of faith in God and in
his Word, Gal. 81, rs, 20. "Thus faith
in the ease of Caleb is revealed as the
principle which follows fully, waits pa
tiently, asks for new opportunities for
It's exercise, and gains finally 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
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
As years his strength waxed not, and
all things needful were supplied. The
point Is not so much that he at last
gained the inheritance, but that dur
ing the period Of waiting his susie
nance and his raiment were provided
All through the year we have beer
hearing of promises which were con
ditional upon loyalty to God and ODE
dience to his will. Today we see 6
fulfillment Of the promise made ovel
and oyer again that Israel should pos
sess the Promised Land. DR.. ]. vii
bur Chapman asked Gen. William
Booth for the secret of his success il
the Salvation Army and his reply was
God has had all there was of me.