The Holly chieftain., 1924-02-14

lOFO your SOQ opRk0 concerning you
Josh. 23:l<.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Lessons From the Life of Joshua
NYOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Joshua and the Conquest of Canaan.
The book Of Joshua, from which our
lesson II taken. is history Of the con-
quest of the Promised Land and its
apportionment among the tribes of Is
rael. 1t takes Its name from its princi-
pal character. Joshua. During the will
derness journey he was Moses minis
ter and captain Of his army. When
Moses was denied the privilege Of
going over the Jordan, Joshua was ap-
pointed to the leadership Of Israel.
Noses, the representative 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.
]. Joshua's Call (Josh. Il. p.
Moses was dead, but Gods work
by calling Joshua to take 1t up. Joshua.
no doubt. was sorrowful over the loss
Of his master, but there was now no
time for mourning.
II. God Renews His Promise Of the
Land to israel Gosh. 1 g, ~.
This promise had been given to
Abraham and renewed to Isaac, Jacob
and Moses. 1t is now renewed to Is
rael when they are about to enter
upon its possession. The borders of
the land were from the wilderness
and this Lebanon even unto the great
river. the river Euphrates, all the land
of the Hittites and unto the great sea
toward the going down of the sun" ".
~. The nearest 1t was ever possessed
was during the relgns Of David and
Solomon, though not then fully
realized. This land still belongs to
the Jews and in Gods own time they
shall possess 1t. Their possession of
this land was due entirely to them
selves. God promised them that wher-
ever their feet set upon the land, 1t
was theirs. If they failed to secure
possession, 1t was because they failed
to claim 1t.
III. Gods Presence Promised 70
Joshua (Josh. :5).
Joshua was entering upon a perilous
and difficult enterprise. but the Lord
said, as He was with Moses 80 He
would be with him. The difficulties be-
fore him were:
1. The Jordan River ". y. This
river was now at its flood Gosh. 8
'15), making 1t impossible for armies to
cross.
2. The People Were Living in Walled
Cities (Num. 1S 1857. Notwithstanding
this, God is ready to insure success.
~ II will not fail thee. nor forsake
thee" ". 81. (2) There shall not
any man be able to stand before thee
". 81. (8) "As I was with Moses, 10
will be with thee" Joshua had been
with Moses throughout their forty
years. experience. from the Egyptian
deliverance to the time of his death.
Because he believed that God was with
his master, he was willing and ready
to cross Jordan at its food and cour-
ageously meet the enemies on the
other side.
w. Conditions Of Blessings In the
Land Gosh. :6-9).
/. "Be Strong and of Good Courage
|. ". 81. His mission was to 60 in and
divide the land among the tribes for
an Inheritance. 1t required strength
and courage to do this.
nbodforon A.
Word Of God ". y. In a land of
idolatry 1t required much courage to
be true to God. Prosperity and success
are conditioned upon unswervins
obedience to Gods commands In all
his work he must conform his life to
the law Of God. To pass from the
path outlined therein would bring dis
aster and ruin. In order to accomplish
this, the law Of the Lord must be in
his mouth continually. He was to
mediate therein day and night. Joshua
rendered prompt obedience. He did not
stop to cavil, but at once gave orders
for the march. God made the plan
and gave the directions.
v. Joshua's Retrospect (Josh. 3:1-3).
AS his life was now drawing to a
close, he summoned the people and
rulers to give some farewell counsels
l. Rehearses Gods Goodness ". ~.
God had given rest unto Israel from
all their enemies.
2. All That Had Happened Was
Done by the Lord. God had fought
tor them. No one had been able to
'tand against them: therefore He
urges upon them fidelity.