The Jasper news., 1919-03-20
IMPROVED uNIroRM INTERNATIONAL
SUND6YSQnOOL
LESSON
By REV. P. B. -FITzwATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1919. by Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR MARCH 20
ISRAEL WARNED AGAINST COM.
PROMISE.


(May be used with Temperance Applica-
tions.)
LESSON TEXT-Joshua 23:1-16.
GOLDEN TEXT-Evil companionships
corrupt good morals,-1 Corinthians 1928.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL - Numbers
s3:50-5s; Joshua 9:3-27; Judges 2:1-3; 3:1-e;
Colossians 2:S.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Loving and obeyins
God.-Joshua H:16-2S.
JUNIOR Notwithstanding up for the
right.
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC = Dangerous
company.
Joshua, knowing that his life was
drawing to close, summoned the
leaders of Israel to appear before him.
He knew the tendencies which the ma
ton was developing and the peril
which faced 1t as his leadership was
coming to an end. His jealousy for
God and solicitude for them prompted
him to assemble them and point out
the great dangers which confronted
them.
!. A Review Of What God Had Done
(23:3, ~.
1. God had fought Israel's battles
". 81. He gave them victory over the
strong nations which inhabited Ca.
naan. Striking evidences of this are
the capture of Jericho and victory at
Gibeon when the sun stood still at
Joshua's command. This victory had
been secured quickly, which indicates
that God had interposed In their be-
half.
2. God by the hand Of Joshua had
apportioned the land among the tribes
". ~ for an inheritance. In chapter
"a Joshua rehearses the wonderful
things God had done for the nation
extending from Abraham down
through the ages.
u. Points Out the Promises as Yet
UnfuiHIIed (23 $40.
1. "He shall expel them before you
". 81. The actual possession which
God had given was the pledge that he
would give them full possession. Gods
promise was the guarantee of this. In
view Of Gods faithful performance
Of all his promises there should be
no room for doubt.
2. Zone man of you shall chase
thousand" ". 10Y. The reason of this
was because the Lord God would fight
for them. To have the Lord fight for
us is to have the assurance Of victory
regardless Of how few or how many.
8. The condition upon WHICH these
promises would be realized. O "Be
very courageous" ". O.. At time
like this 1t required courage to look to
God for all the nations needs. (2)
Keep and do all that is written in
the law of Moses" ". 81. Fidelity to
Gods law was essential. Turning
aside in any particular would forfeit
their claims upon him. (3) keep
aloof from the Canaanites" ". y.
This separation was to obtain with
reference to (a) marriage among them
(b) idolatrous customs. (4) Cleave
wholly unto God ". 81.
III. Solemn Warnings Issued (23
11-1e).
I. Take good heed that you love God
sincerely ". 1D. Love to God is the
sum total Of duty toward him.
2. Refrain from intermarriage among
the Canaanites ". 12). For Gods peo-
pie to intermarry among the heather
is to set In motion influences which
would issue In confusion and disaster.
3. God will make the heather
snares, traps and scourges instead Of
giving victory over them ". 13).
4. Evil things will come upon them
just as good things had been done for
them even to their destruction ". 15).
s. The wrath Of God klndled against
them ". 16).