Part 3 (1/2)

Messengers were sent to his tent, who brought what Achan had hidden; and he, with his sons and daughters, his cattle, and all that he had, and the garment, silver, and gold, were taken to a valley near by, where the people stoned them, and burned them with fire; and then raised over all a great heap of stones, which remained as a memorial to warn others against sinning as Achan had done.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ACHAN CONFESSING HIS SIN.]

THE ALTAR ON MOUNT EBAL.

Before Moses died he called the Israelites together, and urged them to faithfully serve G.o.d; also directing that when they entered Canaan, they were to build an altar of rough stones, covered with plaster, on Mount Ebal, and to write the words of G.o.d's law upon this altar. Then six of the tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim, and six on Mount Ebal, and, in the hearing of all the people, the blessings for obedience and the cursings for disobedience were to be proclaimed.

Mounts Ebal and Gerizim are two rugged mountains that face each other in Samaria. When the Israelites advanced thus far, they remembered the words of Moses. Joshua built the altar as directed, on which he offered sacrifices to G.o.d, and wrote a copy of the law upon it. All Israel stood, ”half of them over against Mount Gerizim, and half of them over against Mount Ebal,” and Joshua read all the words of the law, ”the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.” Then the loud voices of the Levites were heard from the mountain sides, declaring, in the hearing of all the people, the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, as G.o.d had commanded.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE ALTAR ON MOUNT EBAL.]

THE CITIES OF REFUGE.

Revenge is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ, ”If thine enemy hunger, feed him,” says the Saviour; but among the Israelites and other eastern nations a different practice prevailed. If one slew another, the kinsman of him that was slain felt bound to avenge his relative, and to slay him that had done the deed. Sometimes people were killed by accident, when it was clearly unjust that he who had unwittingly killed another should be slain. To guard against the innocent thus suffering, G.o.d commanded that ”cities of refuge” should be appointed, to which the slayer might flee, ”which killeth any person at unawares.”

These cities were six in number: Kedesh, Shechem, and Kirjath-arba, on the west of Jordan; and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, on the east of that river. They were so arranged that a few hours' rapid flight would bring the slayer from any part of the land to one of the cities of refuge. Jewish writers say that the roads leading to these cities were always kept in good repair, and that guide-posts were placed at every cross road with ”Refuge! Refuge!” written upon them. But the man that wilfully killed another was not sheltered. He was given up to the avenger to be slain.

In our picture we see the slayer running to the city gate; the avenger close behind, shooting arrows at him. He has thus far escaped, and two or three more steps will place him in safety. But, once within the city, he must not quit its refuge until the death of the high priest.

If he do so and the avenger find him he may be slain. But upon the death of the high priest he will be allowed to return home, to dwell in peace again.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FLEEING TO THE CITY OF REFUGE.]

JOSHUA'S EXHORTATION.

Exhortation seems a hard word, but it simply means to strongly urge to good deeds, and this is what our artist shows Joshua to be doing.

Joshua is now an old man, and the Israelites are settled peaceably in Canaan. He has called them before him, with their elders, and heads, and judges, and officers. He tells them that he is old and about to die, and reminds them of the land that has already been conquered and divided among them, and of that which still remains to be conquered; urging them to be ”very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that they turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.” He bids them take good heed therefore unto themselves, that they love the Lord their G.o.d; and warns them that if they go back and do wickedly, the anger of the Lord will be kindled against them, and they will perish quickly from off the good land which G.o.d has given them.

In his address, Joshua said, ”Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one good thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your G.o.d spake concerning you; all are come to pa.s.s unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” How faithful is G.o.d!

He never fails in His promises: and we are told He is unchangeable, so that whatever He promises now He will fulfil, and whatever warnings He gives will surely come to pa.s.s. How good is it to have this holy and wise G.o.d for our Father, and to know that He promises abundantly to bless all those that trust in the Saviour, Jesus Christ. But let us take heed of the warnings against sin given in G.o.d's Holy Word.

[Ill.u.s.tration: JOSHUA EXHORTING THE PEOPLE.]

GIDEON AND THE FLEECE.

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites turned away from G.o.d, and served idols. Therefore the evils came upon them of which they had been warned by Moses and Joshua. But at different times G.o.d, seeing their distress, raised up ”judges” to deliver them from their enemies, and to judge over them. The first of these judges was named Othniel.