New Mexico state record., 1919-03-07
ulPROVED UNIF0RM MTEaNATI0NAh
.SUNlYS0100L
LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH 8
JOSHUA, PATRIOT AND LEADER
(By Rev. p. b. FITZWATER. d. D..
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Cnion)

LESSON TEXT-Joshua l:1-9
GOLDEN TEXT-Be strong and Of a
good courage.-Joshua 1:9.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Joshua
l:lO-3:l7; 5:13-l5.
| PRIMARY TOPIC-A story of a brave
leader. Memory Verse-Joshua l:5
JUNIOR TOPIC-Follow the right lead
| er. Memory Verse-Deut. 1:7 5.
INTERMEDIATES TOPIC-When to bs
brave.
The hook OF Joshua is a history OF
the conquest Of the promised land and
its. appOrtionment among the tribes
of Israel. 1t takes its name from Its
principal character-JOshua. During
the wilderness journey he was Moses
minister, and captain Of his army
When Moses was denied the privilege
of going over the Jordan, Joshua was
appointed to the leadership Of Israel
Being so long faithful as II servant
he is now qualified to rule. Onl!
those who have themselves learned tC
obey are fit to rule. Moses, the repre-
sentative OF the law, brought Israel tC
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 Oul
schOOlmaster to bring us to Christ
but Christ (our Joshua) has given us
victory and rest.
|. Joshua's Call dip.
Moses, Gods servant, is dead but
Gods work must go on. He continues
his work by calling others to take il
up. though he buries his workers
Joshua, no doubt, was SOrrOwful over
the loss Of his master, but there is nc
time for mourning. The best way tC
cure our griefs and sorrows is to take
up cOurageOusly the burdens and re
sponsibilities which our leaders have
laid down.
u. God Renews His Promise Of the
Land to Israel (1:3. ~.
The promise had been made tC
| Abraham, and renewed to Isaac
Jacob and Moses. 1t is now renewed
to Israel when they are about to en-
ter upon its possession. The borders
of the land were quite large ". Al
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 1t 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 it. Their get
ting Possession of this land was due
entirely to themselves. God promised
them, that wherever their feet sci
upon the land it was theirs. If they
failed to secure possession 1t was be
cause they failed to claim it. W.
would all enjoy larger blessings Il
we would claim them.
III. Gods Presence Promised Il
Joshua Il 10y.
Joshua was entering upon peril
GUS and difficult enterprise but thu
Lord said as he was with Moses 81
would he be with him. The Difficult
ties before him were:
l. The Jordan river ". p. 1t wa!
now at Its food g 3:15), making it i'm
possible for armies to cross.
2. In the land the people were liv
ing in walled cities. Notwithstanding
this, Gods help insured success. Il
81 will not fail thee nor forsake thee.
(2) "There shall not any man be abl
to stand before thee" (3k "As
was with Moses. SO l will be witt
thee" Joshua had been with Nose
throughout their forty years expert
ences, from the Egyptian deliveranc
to the time of his death. Because h
believed that God was with his maste
he was willing and ready to cross tn
Jordan at its flood, and to meet cOur
ageously the enemies on the Othe
side. We should be willing to brav
our fOaming and raging JOrdans. t
meet our strong enemies face to face
for Christ has said, Il am with yO1
always"
". Conditions Of Blessings In tn
Land Il :G-9).
/. "Be strong and of a good courage
". @. His mission was to go in an,
divide the land among the tribes 70
an Inheritance. God could not bles
him If he should play the coward.
.. Unwavering obedience to tn
word Of God ". y. In land o
idOlatry II requires much courage t
obey the true God. The prosperit
and good success was cOnditiOne
upon answering obedience to God
commands. In all his work he mus
conform his life to the law of God
To pass from the path outlined there
in would bring disaster and ruin. Il
order to accomplish this the law o
the Lord must constantly be in hi
mouth. He was to mediate thereil
day and night. II we are to prospe
In our Christian experience ther
must be that regular and reveren
study of Gods Word. Joshua ren
ders prompt obedience. He did no
stop to cavil, but Mt once gave order
for the march. God made the pla,
and gave the directions. His respon
sibility was to go forward withOu
doubling, taking possession Of the In
heritance.
FaithfuIness Counts.
In the battle of life faithfulnes!