The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-03-21
'SUNlNSQ10OL
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 %
ISRAEL WARNED AGAINST COM
PROMISE.


PROMISE.
CMay be used with Temperance Applica-
tions.)
LESSON TEXT-Joshua 23:1-16.
GOLDEN TEXT-Evil .companionships
corrupt good morals-1 Corinthians 1923.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL - Numbers
:: ss:5O-56; Joshua s:s-27: Judges s:1-s;. 3l-S;
ColosSians 2:8.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Loving and obeying
.God.-Joshua 24:l6-2S.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Standing up for the
right
INTERMEDIARY TOPIC = Dangerous
company.
Joshua, knowing that his life was
drawing to a 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 it 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. r.
4. A Review Of What God Had Done
(23:3, ~. =. -
1. God had" fought Israel's battles
ly. 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 2. God ky the hand OF Joshua had
apportioned the land among the, tribes
fv. D-'for an Inheritance. In chapter
"a. Joshua rehearses the, wonderful
tlangst God had done for the nation
extending from Abraham down
through the:ages. -, - ...-
5 If Potnts Out the Promises as Yet
unfutfiited, rs :510). -
~ I. "He shall erpel them before you"
tx.S 81 = The actual possession which,
God. had given was the pledge that he
wodid give them full possession. Gods
premise was the guarantee Of this. In
view; Of Gods faithful performance
Of an his promises there should be
no room for doubt -. >, d, +
x aOnes man Of you shall chase q
thossandra a(v.fi0).' The reason Of this
was because the Lord God would ;hght
for them. To have.thG- Lord Ifght. for
IN Ii to have the assurance Of victory,
regardless Of how few or how many.
8. The condition upon which these
promises would be realized. tl) sBe
very courageous" ". .8.< At . time
like this 1t required courage to look to
God for all the nations needs ,(2)
= c"Keep and do all that Is written in
the law Of Moses" ". g.. 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.
I'll. Solemn Warnings Issued (2S:
11-16). .. - \
1. Take good heed that you love God
sincerely ". 11). 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.
8. God will make the heather
snares, traps and scourges instead OF
giving victory over them (y. 13).
4. Evil things will come upon them
Just as good things had been done for
them even to their destruction ". 15).
IS The wrath Of God kindled against
them (y. 16). ..,