The Brinkley argus., 1919-03-07
LESSON FOR MARCH 9
JOSHUA, PATRIOT AND LEADER


 GOLDEN TEXT-Be strong and of good courage.-Joshua 1:9
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Joshua 1:10-3:17; 5:13-15.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-A story of brave leader. Memory Verse-Joshua l:5
 JUNIOR TOPIC-Follow the right lead CT. Memory Verse-Deut. IT, 8.
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-When to be brave.
 The book of Joshua is history of the conquest of the promised land and its apportionment among the tribes of Israel. It takes its name from its principal haracter-Joshua. During the wilderness journey he was Moses minister, and captain of his army. When Moses was denied the privilege appointed to the leadership of Israel. Being so long faithful as servant, he is now qualified to rule. Only those who have themselves learned to obey are fit to rule. Moses, the repre- sentative of the law, brought Israel to the borders of Canaan. Joshua was the man chosen to lead the people into the place of rest. The name Joshua" has the same derivation as the name Jesus" The law (Moses) was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ; but Christ (our Joshua) has given us victory and rest.
 l. Joshua's Call q :1.2).
 Moses, Gods servant, is dead, but e rp,1Ic frn nr n his work by calling others to take it up, though he buries his workers. Joshua, no doubt, was sorrowful over the loss of his master, but there Is no time for mourning. The best way to cure our griefs and sorrows Is to take up courageously the burdens and re- responsibilities which our leaders have laid down.
 II. God Renews His Promise of the Land to Israel Ia, Al.
 The promise had been made to Abraham, and renewed to Isaac, Jacob and Moses. It Is now renewed to Israel when they are about to en- ter upon its possession. The borders of the land were quite large (v. 4) ''from the wilderness and this Leb- anon. even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea to- ward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast" The nearest it was ever possessed was during the reigns of David and Solomon. though not then fully realized. This country still be- longs to the Jews. and in Gods own time they shall possess 1t. Their get ting possession of this land was due entirely to themselves. God promised them, that wherever their feet set upon the land 1t was theirs. If they failed to secure possession It was be- cause they failed to claim 1t. We would all enjoy larger blessings if we would claim them.
 III. Gods Presence Promised to Joshua q :5).
 Joshua was entering upon a peril ous and difficult enterprise, but the Lord said as he was with Moses so would he be with him. The difficult tieS Delofe nm were:
 1. The Jordan river (v. 2. It was now at its flood 3:15). making it i'm possible for armies tS cross.
 2. In the land the people were liv. ing in walled cities. Notwithstanding this, Gods help insured success. CD 'I will not fail thee nor forsalle thee" (2) There shall not any man be able to stand before thee" (3) AS was with Moses, so will be with thee"
 W. Conditions of Blessings in the Land q ;6-9).
 l. Be strong and of good courage" (v. O. His mission was to go in and divide the land among the tribes for an inheritance. God could not bless him if he should play the coward.
 ?. Unwavering obedience to the word of God (v. D. In a land of ldolatry it requires much courage to obey the true God. The prosperity and good success was conditioned upon uaswerving obedience to Gods commands. In all his work he must conform his life to the law of God. To pass from the path outlined there in would bring disaster and -uin. In order to accomplish this the law of the Lord must constantly oe In hls mouth. He was to meditate therein day and night. If we are to prosper in our Christian experience there must be that regular and rAverent study of Gods Word. Joshua rem ders prompt obedience. He did not stop to cavil, but at once gave orders for the march. God made the plan and gave the directions. His respon- sibility was to go forward without doubting, taking possession of the in- heritance.