The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1919-03-07
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For forty years the Israelites camp
ed in the Sainatic Wilderness and
lived on the mama which God gave
them. During that time all who came
up out Of Egypt over twenty years
old had died, save Caleb and Joshua
Aaron and Moses had died. God had
taken Moses to the Summit Of Mount
Nebo, and had given him view OF
the promised land, but would not al
low him to enter 1t, because in his an
ger he had not honored God when he
drew water from the rock.
The Israelites are now encamped on
the banks Of the Jordan opposite Jeri-
cho. It is at the season when the Jor-
dan overfows It's banks, from the
melting Of the snow on the mountains
Of Lebanon. God had chosen Joshua
as the successor of Moses as comman-
der-in-chief of the hosts Of Israel The
lesson is Gods charge to Joshua. He
had been in training for forty years.
He was one of the twelve spies who
with Caleb made the minority report.
They declared that though there were
giants in the land and walled cities,
yet God would give them the victory,
because he had promised to do so.
Now, Joshua has the honor of leading
his people into the land and Of divid-
ing II among them. And always hon
ors the faith Of his people, and he al
so honors those that exercise faith in
him. Farther on in the story we learn
that Caleb had the honor Of capturing
the strong hold of the giants, who
gave him such terror to the ten spies
and through them to the Israelites,
and their lands became the portion
given to Caleb's family. 1t pays to
honor God. Him that honoreth Me
will honor, and he that dispiseth Me
shall he lightly esteemed"
The promotion of Joshua was the
result Of forty years Of training. He
had been intimately associated with
Moses during all this time We might
call him his private secretary. He
was also his military leader. and had
won the battle with the Amelikites.
He went with Moses when he received
the tables of stone from the hands of
God He had witnessed the displays
Of divine power in the plaques Of
Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the
wilderness. Other miracles are to be
brought if the Israelites possess the
land of Canaan. The natives that in
habitated the land must be conquered
before these could possess it, and from
human standpoint they were not
equal to the task, unless God gave
mighty aid they must fail. The first
obstacle was the swollen Jordan
There were no pontoons. How should
they get over? Gods command was
for the priests to bear the ark and
march into the stream. That looked
hazardous. But as their feet touched
the water the river divided as did the
Red Sea, and they passed over dry
shod.
Leadership is essential to the sue
cess Of all great enterprises. Men
will follow courageous leader any
where he will lead them.
Let us note here that the worlds |
greatest leaders have been men of |
high character, that is the men that |
have lifted the world to higher levels |
and started 1t to greater achievements.
Alfred, the Great. is still looked upon
as England's greatest King because of
uio cSditcu CHdidCteT anu HIS Wise
and benefcient craftsmanship. The
same is true of Washington and Lin
,oln, and from present indications the
nan in the White House will rank
with them for the same reasons. (
But all men cannot be great as the
world calls greatness. But the gos-
pei has a plan to make every man
great in the sight Of God. IF any
among you would be great let him be
he servant Of ALL" =
1t is only by his service to mankind
hat any man can become great. It is
he work Of the Sunday School to
rain leaders for the Kingdom of God
Let this thought be kept in mind. The
church must have leaders as we'll as
he army. Let us see to 1t that this
work is not neglected, else our work
will fail.