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THE KING’S BUSINESS
thou for us or for our adversaries?” (God or devil’) “Nay,” was the response, “but as captain of the host of the Lord (“Je hovah’ ) am I now come.” “Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship,” for this Captain was none other than “the captain of our salvation” (Heb. 2:10) come to destroy the works of the Devil (Heb 2:14). This was “T h e W ord ” who became Hesh; who appeared to Abraham (Gen 18- ; AS); W (Exod. 3:1-6); to Paul (Acts 9.3-6). ‘What saith my lord unto his servant?” Joshua immediately asked. So did Paul (Acts 9:6), for it is to be pre- sumed that the Captain „ever manifests Himself to one unless He has something for him to do. 3. The Captain's Orders. Verse 6-1 is a parenthesis; 6:2-5 is the Lord’s'answer to Joshua, and His plan of attack against Jer- V. T h e F all of J ericho (6:6-27). (vs X ?mStZuge Maneuvers of the Host the text ' ThCSe afe fUlIy described o f't h J r / T 1Z eStrUCU0n and De^tion of the City (vs. 21, 24, 26). Her l ke , f arj kular ^ s c u e of Rahab and Her Family (Vs. 22, 23, 25). 4. Principles to be Noted. i t ) In giving Jericho without- fighting, God- indicated that He was giver of the Dear Lord; I thank Thee, Who hast m; the earth sd bright, So full of Splendor and of joy, Strength and delight; So many glorious things are here, Noble and right. I thank Thee, too, that Thoii hast made Joy to abound; So many gentle thoughts a:nd deeds Enfold us round; That in the darkest spot of earth , Some love is found.
whole land, though they should fight. It is not our striving but God’s grace that overcomes in us and through us. (2) “Faith is the victory.” Only faith could rely on so apparently foolish a method (1 Cor. 1:22-25). (3) “Patience hath her perfect work.’’ To persist day after day in so seemingly1 foolish and fruitless a. course, was the^ height of obedient faith. (4) The earth is the Lord’s and He can take from one and give to another as He pleases. (5) By their vile idolatry and incorrigible wickedness the Canaanites deserved, and were doomed to, destruction-. (6) Even the remnant Israel disobedient ly spared in later conquests so contami nated them that Israel apostatized. To have spared them all would have defeated God’s purpose to save the world. (7) God in His providence continues to destroy such nations. (8) They could all have been saved for the asking, like Rahab. (9) Let us keep on blowing the ram’s horn, the walls of Jericho will soon fall. ' (10) Let every penitent and believing sinner trust the blood-red cord and be at ease, like Rahab he shall be saved when judgment falls, and take his part in the kingdom of God. I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou has kept The best in store; I have enough, yet not too much • To long for more; A yearning for a deeper peace Not known before. I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls, Though amply blest, Can never find, although they seek A perfect rest— Nor ever shall, until they lean On Jesus’ breast.
‘‘Thanksgiving’’ A d e l a id e P ko cto r
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