THE KING’S BUSINESS
$27
(2 Tim. 2:15, A. R. V. mrg.), stagger not (Rom. 4:20), waver not (James 1:6, 7). See 1 Kings 18:21, A. R. V. V. 8. “This hook,” etc. That was the I Pentateuch, specially Deuteronomy, which the critics taboo, but the Christ, the Joshua of the N. T., had often in His mouth. If in the “mouth" it came through the ear, in hearing; through the eye, in reading. The “mouth" must talk it, and tell it. “Medi tate,” i. e., study (2 Tim. 2:15); reason Isa. 1:18) ; search (John 5 :39) ; compare (1 Cor. 2:13). “That,” i. e., "in order that.” Ail use of the word is, “to do it.” What of the servant who knows and does not? (Luke 12:47). Who “observes to do” shall prosper. Be sure to see Deuteronomy LESSON Ps. 114. G olden T e x t : I. R eady for t h e C onquest . 1. Israel Was Now a Nation. They were equipped with code (constitution) and institutions; disciplined and welded by 40 years of trial, falls and recoveries. They had a large veteran and victorious army, and wanted only the land, on the last har rier to which they now encamped. 2. A Belated Advance. Forty years be fore^ redeemed and justified by the blood of the Passover, they were “baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” *(l Cor. 10:2) ; fourteen months later, at Kadesh Barnea, they refused through, unbelief, to enter on the conquest, and turned to the sad and fatal years of the wandering. Flee ing from the taskmasters of Egvpt they were driven into the sea, but their hearts were still with the “flesh pots” of Egypt. Now" all is changed; their hearts are in Canaan (“in the heavenlies”), (Eph. 1:3). Then Christ died for them; now they are ready to die with Him. This they should have been at the first, and we should never have heard of the crossing of Jordan. 3. The Common Experience. Such is the way with the majority of Christians. They are baptised “unto Moses,” to a sort of law keeping, a mending of .their
6:1-10; Psalms 1, 19, and 119; John 15, 16. When will men learn that God’s Word is in detail essential? IT is living and pow erful (Heb. 4:12) ; IT accomplishes and prospers (Isa. 55:11); IT quickens (Ps. 119:159) ; IT creates (Gen. 1) ; IT upholds all things (Heb. 1:3); IT builds up (Acts 20:32); IT conquers (Jer. 23:29). They called Judah the Maccabee, "Maccabeus” (“Hammer”), and Charles Martel, “Mar tel” (“Hammer”), because they conquered. V. 9. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” It takes courage to go by the .Bible,-^to be a Christian indeed ways, but their hearts are in the world, un til, through shameful and painful wander ings, “ups and downs,” they are baptised unto Jesus (Joshua) in Jordan (“the De scender”) by the Spirit, and know what it is to rise by the glory of the Father unto “newness^of life” (Rom. 6:4), "Dying w ith Jesus, by faith reckoned m ine; Diving w ith Jesu s th e new life D ivine.” II. T h e I nterview W it h R ahab (ch. 2 : 8 - 21 ). 1. Her Confession (vs. 8-11). (1) Ca naan is demoralized. (2) Jehovah’s judg ments are known. (3) He is God over all, and (4), has given the land to Israel. 2. Her Petition (vs. 12, 13). That she and hers should be saved. Agreed to oh condition: (1) Of loyalty to Israel. (2) Of the sign of the scarlet cord. (3) Of sheltering her friends behind the same sign. 3. significant Points. (1) Israel me diates salvation to Gentiles. (2) All fear judgment (v. 11; Rom. 1:18, 19; Heb. 10: 27); some, like Rahab, ask-mercy. (3) The red cord at the window was as the blood on the door-post .(Exod. 13:13). (4) Who soever will may come into the kingdom. (5) Anxious souls should be anxious for souls.
IX. — November 30.— C rossing the J ordan .— Joshua 3:1-7; Fear thou not, for I am with thee. —Isa. 41:10.
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter