The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-03-16
THE MARYLAND BIBLE SOCIETYS CORNER
''The Word of Our God Shall Stand Forever

The Book of Joshua tells the story
of the conquest of Canaan. 1t is a
record of high endeavor and noble
achievement, the fruitage of reasona-
BILE self-confdence and sublime faith
in the promises of God.
Joshua entered Canaan by direct,
divine command, recorded in the Sec
ond verse of the first chapter of this
book, and was couched in the follow
ing language: "Moses my servant is
dead; now therefore arise, go over
this Jordan, thou, and all this people,
unto the land which do give to them,
even to the children of Israel. Every
place that the sole of your foot shall
tread upon, that have I given unto
you, as said unto Moses"
The Book of Joshua was probably
written by this first great Judge and
leader of the Hebrews after their en-
trance into Canaan. Its key thought
is summed up in the first chapter,
verses 8 and 9, and may be simply
stated as 1.-THE Rule of Success in the
Battle of Life"
Canaan, the land of promise, so
long desired by Israel, was tiny
country, probably 100 miles long by
40 wide. It was at the crossroads of
the ancient world. Caravans from
Egypt, Ninevah, Babylon, Persia,
Greece, Rome, passed through this
land. Here the civilizations of an
tiquity met and influenced each other.
But the religion of Israel was the
dynamic that finally changed the
course of all ancient civilizations.
Among the neighbor nations the
Phoenecians, Immediately to the north
of Canaan, whose principal cities
were Tyre and Sidon, are of very
great interest to us because of their
contributions to universal knowledge
and our common human welfare.
They were peaceable people, inclined
to commerce, being indeed the out
standing traders and navigators of
their time. Perhaps their noblest
achievement was the invention of the
alphabet. From Phoenecia the alpha
bet was carried to Greece, thence to
Rome, thence to the Germans and so
on to the world.
Joshua was of the tribe Of Eph-
rain. He stood by Moses on Sinai,
and was one of the twelve spies sent
to bring a report of the land before
entrance was attempted. He showed
the spirit of Caleb, who, in spite of
the gigantic size and ferocious as
pect of the Zamzumims said: "Let
US go up and possess the land, for we
are we'll able to overcame it" Joshua
was great warrior and understood
the necessity and value of military
discipline; nevertheless he relied upon
prayer and trusted God for victory.
1t is commonly accepted truism
among us that a country's battles are
won by youth. However, Joshua was
so years old when he took command
and for period of thirty years gov
erned the land, consolidating the ter
ritory reduced by him, and establish
ing the worship of Jehovah. He be-
gan his work in the land by causing
the people to enter into solemn COW
enant that they would not serve idols.
He closed his task of seven years by
renewing the covenant. Almost a
quarter of a century was occupied in
settling the tribes and establishing
their hold upon the land.
The command to destroy the Ca
naanites may seem at first blush a
cruel and needless sacrifice; but when
we consider the eternal values in
volved in this conquest, and realize
the power of an evil environment,
there could have been no other course
to save Israel from idolatry. IF the
Jews became idolatrous, then God
might just as we'll not have nation.
If the Canaanites remained in the
land Israel would be sure to absorb