Can Prayer Save America?

   During the Civil War, a friend of Abraham Lincoln was a visitor at the White House. "One night I was restless and could not sleep... From the private room where the President slept, I heard low tones. Instinctively I wandered in, and there I saw a sight which I have never forgotten. It was the President, kneeling before an open Bible. His back was toward me. I shall never forget his prayer: 'Oh, Thou God that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me...I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without Thy help. Hear me and save this nation.'"
   When the leaders of our country assembled to write the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin proposed each session be opened with prayer. Franklin said, "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth-that God governs the affairs of men."
   Our nation is great because it was founded upon God's Word and prayer. But today prayer has been replaced by political intrigue, materialism, and a mistaken notion that our private and national affairs can be run without God.
   But here and there throughout American voices are heard, as individuals and groups begin to call on God in prayer. But this whole nation must be moved to prayer. So great are the dangers, so grave the perils, so tremendous the problems, that it is imperative that we lay hold upon the LORD God in prayer for His will.
   Prayer can save America. There is only one way out, and that is up! If we do not turn to God, we will be overcome by the godless. It is either revival or ruin! It is now or never! The answer will not be found by the UN or NATO. The answer will be found only when we call upon the LORD God. Spiritual values must be restored.We must return to the faith of our Father, and to family prayer, and the Bible.
   But we cannot really lay hold upon a Holy God until we come to know Him as our Father. The Bible says that we have all sinned and are separated from God. By His death on the cross, God's Son Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
   Christ's death and resurrection make it possible for you to have victory over sin and a vital relationship with God. Only then can He hear and answer prayers...both for America and your own personal needs. Receive Him today. For as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name."
   Then you can claim God's promise: "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land."
                                               THE AMERICAN"S CREED
   I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established on those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
   I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies (and to pray for its leaders.)
 

Story 69: Jeph'thah's Vow And The Sacrifice Of His Daughter lV

   The word which Jeph'thah used in making his vows was frequently employed in ancient Is'ra-el in the dedication of lands, tithes, or other valuable possessions to the LORD. The object offered in such a ceremony was thought to be so entirely devoted to the LORD that it could belong to no one else. Such an offering did not necessarily require the slaying and burning of the object offered, and certainly would not require the murder of a human being in defiance of one of the Ten Commandments. For these reasons it may well be that Jeph'thah's vow was fulfilled without staining his hands with the blood of his own precious child.
   Soon after Jeph'thah's victory over the Am'mon-ites, certain men of the tribe of E'phra-im showed a very ugly spirit. They were jealous of the honor to which Jeph'thah had risen, of the superior courage displayed by the Gil'e-ad-ites, and of their triumph over such powerful foes. Twice before this tribe had shown a haughty, envious spirit toward other tribes of Is'ra-el; first, when the land was allotted by Josh'u-a, and then when Gid'e-on won a great victory over the Ca'naan-ites of the north.
   Because of the superior blessing conferred upon their ancestor E'phra-im by his grandfather Ja'cob, the E'phra-im-ites were ambitious to rule over the tribe of Ma-nas'seh, and regarded them as their inferiors. The Gil'e-ad-ites were descendants of a powerful family of Ma-nas'seh, and therefore were especially envied by the men of E'phra-im.
   The E'phra-im-ites took advantage of Jeph'thah's victory to show their hatred for the clan which was rising so rapidly among the tribe of Ma-nas'seh. They pretended that their rank had been ignored because they were not asked to take part in the war against the Am'mon-ites, and threatened to destroy Jeph'thah by burning his house. A large company crossed the Jor'dan and prepared for the civil war at Za'phon, which was a small town in the territory of the tribe of Gad. Jeph'thah disproved their charges by reminding them that they had refused to join him in battle, that there was no just cause for their complaint, and that they should be grateful because the land was free from all oppressors.
   The men of Gil'e-ad resented the proud attitude of the E'phra-im-ites, and engaged them in a fierce battle. Thousands of them were slain, and the others were forced to flee in confusion. Those who escaped from the battle sought to flee across the Jor'dan to their own territory, but were trapped by a clever plan of the Gil'e-ad-ites.
   Jeph'thah placed guards at the fords of the Jor'dan to intercept all the E'phra-im-ites who tried to escape into their own land. In order to tell the tribal membership of those who wished to cross the river, they were required to pronounce the Hebrew word "Shib'bo-leth," which means "an ear of corn." The E'phra-im-ites could not pronounce this word as the tribes east of the Jor'dan did, but could only say "Sib'bo-leth," and in this way was known that they were enemies.
   The entire length of Jeph'thah's rule was six years. Peace and prosperity prevailed among the tribes east of the Jor'dan after the defeat of the Am'mon-ites and the civil war with the E'phra-im-ites.
  

Story 69: Jeph'thah's Vow And The Sacrifice Of His Daughter lll

   Lifted far above his natural courage, strength, and wisdom by the anointing of the spirit of God, Jeph'thah raised a large army from the tribes of Ma-nas'seh, Gad, and Reu'ben, and marched against the Am'mon-ites. His army was assembled at Miz'pah, sacred in the history of Is'ra-el as the place where Ja'cob and La'ban had made a covenant of lasting peace, as one of the forty-eight Le-vit'i-cal cities, as a City of Refuge, and as the capital of Gil'e-ad. Here Jeph'thah made a solemn vow to God that if He would give him victory over the Am'mon-ites, he would offer Him as a sacrifice whatever came forth to meet him on his return from the field of victory.
   In the battle which followed, the LORD enabled Jeph'thah to win a crushing victory over the Am'mon-ites. Many of the invaders were slain, and those who escaped death fled from the land. Twenty cities formerly held by the Am'mon-ites were captured by Jeph'thah's army. The land of Is'ra-el was completely delivered from oppression, and Jeph'thah was made Judge over the tribes east of the Jor'dan.
   Jeph'thah had in his home an only child, a lovely young daughter. He loved her very dearly, and she was tenderly devoted to her brave and heroic father. On his return from the great victory over the Am'mon-ites she ran out to meet him, singing for joy, and dancing on praise of her father's triumph over the enemies of Is'ra-el. Jeph'thah was smitten with anguish when he saw her, for he remembered the vow which he had made with God. His heart was filled with grief at the thought of laying his only child, his beloved and cherished daughter, on the altar of sacrifice to the LORD. Calling upon all the heroism of his noble character, he told his daughter of the vow which he had made with to God. He solemnly declared, "I have made this pledge to the LORD, and I cannot take it back."
   Without pausing for a moment to reflect upon what her words might mean to her and her father, Jeph'thah's daughter said, " Do to me according to that which thou hast vowed." She then asked permission to spend two months in the mountains surrounding Miz'pah that she might "mourn her virginity." To give up the privilege of being a wife and a mother was a supreme sacrifice for an Is'ra-el-it-ish woman. Every Jewish woman hoped, in becoming a mother, that she might give to the world the promised Mes-si'ah of Is'ra-el.
   When the two months had passed, Jeph'thah's daughter returnt to her home, and the Bible narrative says, "He did with her according to his vow." Some earnest readers of the Bible believe that Jeph'thah did not put his daughter to death on an altar of sacrifice, for the Scriptures do not say that he actually offered her as a burnt offering to the LORD.
   It may be that the sacrifice which Jeph'thah's daughter made was that of giving her life entirely to the service of God, giving up all thought of marriage, and thereby causing the house of her father to pass away without leaving some descendant to bear his name. Such a sacrifice would require both father and daughter to give of their best to the LORD, and would carry out the spirit in which Jeph'thah made his vow unto the LORD.

Story 69: Jeph'thah's Vow And The Sacrifice Of His Daughter ll

   There had formerly lived in Gil'e-ad a man of great physical strength, boldness, and courage named Jeph'thah. He was the bastard son of a man named Gil'e-ad, and because of the circumstances of his birth was not entitled to dwell in the land of his father's inheritance, but was cast out by his half-brothers. It also appears that Jeph'thah may have been disliked by other members of his clan because he held strictly to the religion of the True God. They may also have been jealous of him because of his bold, enterprising spirit.
   Jeph'thah went into a land called Tob, which was in Syr'i-a on the borders of Gil'e-ad to the north or northeast. Because of his adventurous spirit and ability as a leader of men, there soon gathered about him a band of warriors who made frequent raids upon the heathen settlers, including the Am'mon-ites who had plundered the Is'ra-el-ites.
   Having learnt of Jeph'thah's success and great skill as a warrior. the elders of Is'ra-el invited him to lead his nation in war against the Am'mon-ites, offering to make him the permanent ruler if he succeeded in driving the invaders out of the land. After a series of conferences in which it was admitted that Jeph'thah had been unjustly treated by his brothers, he accepted the commission.
   The first act of Jeph'thah was to send a deputation to the Am'mon-ites with a proposal to settle their differences without a war. This proposal was scornfully rejected, and Jeph'thah sought again for a friendly settlement of the strife between the Am'mon-ites and his people. The Am'mon-ites sought to justify their hostile attitude toward Is'ra-el on the grounds that their lands had been taken by this nation, and that they had the right to win them back even by the force of arms.
   In reply to this argument Jeph'thah reviewed the history of Is'ra-el's dealings with the E'dom-ites, Mo'ab-ites, and Am'mon-ites. He reminded them that Si'hon, king of the Am'o-rites, had been the one who had taken their lands, and that God enabled the Is'ra-el-ites to defeat him, and to take possession of all his territory. The Am'mon-ites refused to yield to the argument of Jeph'thah, and forced an immediate war upon Is'ra-el.

Story 69: Jeph'thah's Vow And The Sacrifice Of His Daughter l

   Toward the end of the rule of Ja'ir, Is'ra-el appears to have fallen into a state of idolatry much worse than at any previous time. The worship of false gods became widespread and varied. They forsook the worship of Je-ho'vah, and adopted the gods of Syr'i-a, Si'don, and Mo'ab, and of the Am'mon-ites and Phi-lis'tines.
   The gods of Syr'i-a, or A'ram, are not named, but the chief idol among them was called Rim'mon, a symbol of the sun-god. The gods of the Zi'don-ians or Phoe-ni'cians, were Ba'al and Ash'ta-roth; the first being known as the sun-god, while the second was called the moon-goddess. The chief god of the Mo'ab-ites was Che'mosh, which represented the planet Sat'urn. The national god of Am'mon was Mo'loch, Mil'com, which seems to have been another name for Che'mosh, and to have represented the planet Sat'urn. The chief god of the Phi-lis'tines was Da'gon, the fish-god, or god of increase.
   There were striking similarities in the rites and ceremonies practiced in all of these false religions, and all were demoralizing to the moral and social life of the Is'ra-el-ites, leading to a complete breakdown in their worship of the True God.
   As a result of the moral and spiritual shortcomings of Is'ra-el, the LORD permitted them to be oppressed by the Am'mon-ites and Phi-lis'tines for a period of eighteen years. The Am'mon-ites afflicted the tribes on the east side of the Jor'dan, while the Phi-lis'tines oppressed the tribes of Ju'dah, Sim'e-on, and Ben'ja-min. In the course of the eighteen years the Am'mon-ites having plundered the land east of the Jor'dan, crossed the river to afflict the tribe of Ju'dah, attacking them from the east while the Phi-lis'tines oppressed them from the west.
   Is'ra-el was brought low again; the people confessed their sins and cried to the LORD for deliverance from their oppressors. They concealed nothing, but frankly admitted that they had deserted the True God to worship images of Ba'al and other false gods. The LORD appeared to be unmoved by their cries, and chided them for their ingratitude in leaving Him after the many blessings which their nation had received in the past. Is'ra-el then humbly accepted the punishment as just, overthrew idolatry throughout the land, and renewed the pledge of loyalty to God. Once again the LORD extended His mercy, and deliverers were raised up under Divine Providence.
   When Is'ra-el began to turn away from the false gods of the various peoples in Ca'naan and the surrounding countries, the Am'mon-ites prepared for war against the tribes east of the Jor'dan. Members of these tribes led by their captains to a place called Miz'pah, Is'rael proposed that any hero who was willing to lead them against the Am'mon-ites should be made the permanent ruler of the land.

Story 68: The Story Of Gid'e-on And His Three Hundred Men V

   As the morning light broke upon the fleeing hordes of Bed'ou-ins, the princes of Mid'ian tried to lead the retreat along the valley eastward to Beth'shan, and then down the Jor'dan valley toward Jer'i-cho, where they might cross the river. In the meantime, however, the nine thousand seven hundred men of Gid'e-on who had not been privileged to take part in the midnight attack massed along the route of escape and slew thousands. Gid'e-on sent messengers to the E'phra-im-ites, ordering them to gather at the ford of the Jor'dan in order to slay all who might try to cross the river. The three hundred selected, courageous, and loyal men had created and brought a mad dispersion to an army of one hundred and thirty-five thousand Mid'ian-ites; but to conserve the results and to make the victory complete all Is'ra-el must now co-operate. In the final outcome every one had part in crushing these enemies.
   Two Mid'ian-ite princes sought refuge, one in the cavern of a rock, and the other in the vat of a wine-press, but both were captured and slain. Two other princes managed to cross the river, but were later pursued and slain by Gid'e-on.
   Thus the plunderings and oppressions by the Mid'ian-ites were brought to an end, and for the next forty years there was a period of peace in the land of Is'ra-el. Gid'e-on ruled the land wisely, overthrew idolatry, promoted the worship of the True God, and led the people in ways of righteousness and justice.

Story 68: The Story Of Gid'e-on And His Three Hundred Men lV

   All the men who had been careless were placed in one group, and the three hundred who had proved themselves to be alert were placed in another. The nine thousand and seven hundred were sent away, and Gid'e-on was ordered to attack the vast armies of Mid'ian with the three hundred warriors who remained. Outnumbered nearly five hundred to one, any victory which they might gain would surely be given by the LORD.
   Then the LORD ordered a strategy even more strange than the method which had been used to reduce Gid'e-on's army from thirty-two thousand to a mere three hundred. Gid'e-on was told to divide his men into three separate columns, and to approach the enemy from three different directions, thus giving the impression of an attack by three armies. The time set for the attack was in the middle watch of the night. Ancient Is'ra-el divided the night into three watches: from sunset to ten, from ten to two in the morning, and from two until sunrise. It was probably about midnight when Is'ra-el surrounded the camps of the Mid'ian-ites.
   Each of Gid'e-on's three hundred men was given a trumpet, an earthen pitcher, and a lamp which was to be hidden in each pitcher. The small band of Is'ra-el-ites then marched upon the camps of their sleeping enemies from three different directions, At a signal from Gid'e-on the pitchers were broken, the lamps were held aloft in blazing flames, and the trumpets were sounded in loud, shrill blasts. Each man carried out these actions in perfect unison, and then the entire three hundred cried out together, "The sword of the LORD and of Gid'e-on!"
   In the deep silence of the midnight hour these three hundred trumpets pierced the air with their shrill blasts, resounding throughout the camps of the enemy like the battle-calls of vast armies. In the dense darkness which shrouded the plain the three hundred lamps flashed like lightning darts from Heaven. The thousands of Mid'ian-ites, Ish'ma-el-ites, and Am'a-lek-ites thought that they were being attacked by huge armies. Fear and confusion seized the multitudes of heathen warriors, and terror swept the plain on which they were gathered like a mighty whirlwind from the surrounding mountains. In the mad scramble for safety they became suspicious of one another, and slew thousands of their own men.
   Was there ever a battle like this, or such a notable victory? Between one hundred and thirty-five thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand of the cruel invaders were routed by three hundred unarmed Is'ra-el-ites. The battle-field was strewn with thousands of the enemy who were slain in confusion by their own men. Wives and children, cattle and camels, tents and baggage-in fact, everything which the invaders possessed-was left behind to become spoils of war for the victors! Not a single man was lost of Gid'e-on's three hundred. There was really no battle, for the men of Is'ra-el simply stood still and watched the salvation by the LORD. It was a miraculous route of the enemy, complete and overwhelming.

Story 68: The Story Of Gid'e-on And His Three Hundred Men lll

   After the LORD assured him of His presence, and of victory over the Mid'ian-ites, Gid'e-on asked for a sign by which he might know that the Speaker was indeed the LORD. And so, when he had brought food for the Stranger, the Angel Je-ho'vah touched it with the end of the staff which He carried in His hand, and it was immediately consumed by fire from Heaven. The Angel then quietly departed, and Gid'e-on built an altar and sacrified unto the LORD.
   Acting under special directions from the LORD, Gid'e-on took ten men and destroyed the altar to Ba'al and the grove to A-she'rah which his father had built as a center of idolatrous worship by the entire clan. He then built an altar to the LORD on the same spot, and offered burnt sacrifices.
   When this act of Gid'e-on was discovered by the men of his father's clan, their anger and threats against the life of his youngest son caused Jo'ash to realize the folly of idol-worship, and he turnt to the LORD, supporting Gid'e-on in his new position as the deliverer of Is'ra-el.
   While these things were taking place, and possibly aroused by news of Gid'e-on's stand for the LORD, the Mid'ian-ites and Am'a-lek-ites gathered in large numbers on the plains of Jez'reel. For seven years they had plundered this garden spot of Is'ra-el, which was capable of supporting one hundred thousand people. It was here that Sis'e-ra's hosts had been destroyed forty-seven years before, and it was fitting that Gid'e-on should rout the Mid'ian-ites on this famous battlefield.
   Gid'e-on was moved by the spirit of God to sound a clarion call for soldiers. His father's household and the entire clan of the A-bi-ez'rites rallied to his support at once. Messengers were sent throughout the tribes, and the men of Ma'nas-seh, Zeb'u-lun, A'sher and Naph'ta-li responded heartily. Thirty-two thousand soldiers answered the call, and Gid'e-on began to plan an attack upon the hosts of Mid'ian and Am'a-lek on the plains of Es-dra-e'lon.
   The army marched down into the valley of Ki'shon, which was south of the plains where at least one hundred and thirty-five thousand of the Mid'ian-ites and Am'a-lek-ites could be seen. At the sight of so great an army many of the Is'ra-el-ites began to feel faint-hearted, for they were outnumbered four to one.
   Then the LORD said to Gid'e-on, "The people with thee are too many." The battle which they faced was in the LORD'S keeping, and He could give victory to the many or to the few. He wished to have it clearly shown that the vast armies of the Heavens to be defeated by His power alone, so He directed Gid'e-on to permit all who were craven-hearted to leave the army. Twenty-two thousand of the Is'ra-el-ites immediately took advantage of this offer.
   The LORD spoke again to Gid'e-on, saying, "Even though the ten thousand men that you have left are courageous and unafraid, there are yet too many." He then commanded a strange test for determining which of the men were worthy to take part in the defeat of the Mid'ian-ites. Fully equipped for battle they were to march across a stream of water on their way toward the camps of the enemy, and were to pause for a drink of water. Nine thousand seven hundred of them laid aside their weapons, knelt down at the edge of the brook, and took up water in both hands to quench their thirst. Only three hundred kept their weapons in one hand, watched carefully for signs of the enemy, and dipped water from the brook with one hand, lapping it as a dog drinks.
 

Story 68: The Story Of Gid'e-on And His Three Hundred Men ll

   When Is'ra-el finally realized that these raids were permitted by the LORD as punishments for their sins, they turnt to Him in penitence and prayer. Again we have the glorious story of God's tenderness and grace. As soon as the people gave proof that their repentance was genuine, He released them from their oppressors.
   This time, however, the LORD first sent a prophet to reprove Is'ra-el for her backslidings, and to deepen the conviction of sin among the people. They had shown signs of repentance, but must have a more thorough work of grace in their hearts before a deliverer could be given.
   When the LORD searched the land of Is'ra-el for a hero capable of delivering the people from the Mid'ian-ites, His choice fell on a man named Gid'e-on. His father, whose name was Jo'ash, lived at Oph'rah, a secluded town in the rugged hill country of southwestern Ma'nas-seh near She'chem. He was the chief of a clan called A-bi-ez'rites, and had shown his idolatry by building an altar to Ba'al and a grove to A-she'rah, who was the moon-goddess.
   Gid'e-on secretly worshiped the True God, and his heart was burdened by the idolatry and wickedness of his people, and by the calamities which had been brought upon them by the raids of the Mid'ian-ites. His father's household had been plundered by them, and two of his brothers had been captured and slain in the valley of Jez're-el by Mid'ian-ite princes.
The fear of being discovered by roving bands of Mid'ian-ites led him to thresh wheat in wine-presses deep in a rocky cave, instead of doing this work on a threshing-floor out in an open field.
   While Gid'e-on was engaged in this work he was visited by the "Angel Je-ho'vah," sometimes called the "Angel of the Cov'e-nant," and better understood as the Mes-si'ah before He came into this world as a man. The visitor, disguised as a man, was not recognized at first as an Angel.
   In His approach to Gid'e-on, the Angel spoke as follows: "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." To this true Is'ra-el-ite the voice of even a stranger raised in Honor of the True God struck a responsive chord. He had often longed for some congenial friend with whom he could speak freely about the low moral state of his people, and about the hope of a great spiritual revival throughout the land of Is'ra-el.
   Gid'e-on therefore answered the Angel with words which came from his heart. He said: "Oh, sir, how can you say that the LORD is with us when we are cast away, when desolation reigns over the land, when we are in the grasp of marauding bandits, when our people are brought to such terror that they hide in caves and dens like animals?" Gid'e-on fully believed that the LORD was able to solve any problem, that He could overcome the strongest and fiercest enemy, and that, if He was truly with them, His people would be saved by miracles like those which had been performed in the past.
   The LORD then gave Gid'e-on a solemn commission to go forth in his might for the deliverance of Is'ra-el from the grasp of the Mid'ian-ites. In his reply Gid'e-on addressed the Angel as the LORD, and acknowledged his faith in the ability of the Speaker to deliver Is'ra-el. But he hesitated to accept so great a work, not from any lack of faith, but in modesty and distrust of his own ability. He said, "My tribe is one of the weakest, my family is poor, and I am the least of my father's household. I am wholly unprepared for such a tremendous undertaking."
 

Story 68: The Story Of Gid'e-on And His Three Hundred Men l

   After the deliverance of their land from the tyranny of Ja'bin, the Is'ra-el-ites lived in peace and prosperity for a long time. Forty years passed before the beginning of the next oppression. The influence of Deb'o-rah and of the thousands who had not yielded to idolatry during the latest religious decline spread throughout the land, raising the people to a higher level of religious and national patriotism. The triumph of Ba'rak over Sis'e-ra and his powerful army brought great fear to the idol-worshippers within the borders of Is'ra-el, and to the heathen nations in surrounding lands.
   The death of Deb'o-rah, however, was followed by the same old story of backsliding and idolatry. Once again the children of Is'ra-el fell away from God and followed the false religions of the land. They turnt away from the superior light and privileges which Heaven had granted, disregarded the truths constantly taught by Divine revelation, forgot the experiences of God's past dealings with them, and ignored the sacred obligations of the Covenant which they had made with God.
   The story of another decline in the spiritual life of the nation is followed by Divine punishments, of repentance, and of the raising up of another deliverer. This time the nation was afflicted for seven years by the roving bands of warlike Mid'ian-ites from the east. They were descendants of one of the sons of A'bra-ham and Ke-tu'rah, a wandering people who lived principally in the desert lands east of Ca'naan, and in A-ra'bi-a to the south. They had no settled national home, but roamed from place to place, and made their living by plundering and robbing the more civilized people of surrounding lands.
   These theiving prowlers brought their own herds of cattle and camels into Ca'naan to eat up the pastures of the Is'ra-el-ites. They took the best of the rich crops of grain, drove the sheep and cattle of the land into their own herds, demanded heavy tribute in money, and plundered the people of all their valuable possessions.
   For two hundred and sixty years the Mid'ian-ites had carried in their hearts an old grudge against Is'ra-el. This was caused by the crushing blow which Mo'ses had inflicted upon them at the LORD'S command after they had lured thousands of Is'ra-el-ites into sin. The falling away of Is'ra-el from True Religion, and the temporary withdrawal of God's protection for this reason, seemed to provide an excellent opportunity for revenge.
   In their plundering of the land they were joined by hordes of Ish'ma-el-ites and Am'a-lek-ites, whose habits were much the same. They had no intention of conquering the country, or of making subjects of the inhabitants. Their sole object was robbery, and acts of violence took place only when their banditry was resisted. They would strip the entire country during the harvest season, drive off the cattle and sheep, and sell the stolen goods to caravans of traders on their return to the desert. The Is'ra-el-ites were forced to plant new crops, grow more fruit, and raise more stock; then the invaders would return the next year for similar plundering. The land was so terrorized by them that many of the people were compelled to hide their produce in caves and dens, and no one dared to make war upon the bandits.

Story 67: The Triumph Of Deb'o-rah The Prophetess And Ba'rak The Warrior lll

   Ba'rak and his men were so greatly inspired by Deb'o-rah that all doubts and fears were cast from their hearts, and they swept down upon Sis'e-ra's army like a thundering avalanche from the skies. The LORD confused the forces of Sis'e-ra, bewilderment swept through their camps. Before the iron war chariots could be put into action, or the soldiers properly arrayed for battle, Ba'rak and his ten thousand men swooped down upon them like a whirlwind from the top of Mount Ta'bor. In addition to this fierce attack, the LORD sent a dreadful thunderstorm upon the enemies of Is'ra-el, and heavy hailstones beat upon their faces. The river Ki'shon, which runs across the plain of Es-dra-e'lon, overflowed its banks and checked the movement of soldiers and equipment. Sis'e-ra and his great army were overwhelmingly defeated, the few who escaped slaughter fled in despair, and the cry rang out:
   "Let us flee from the face of Is'ra-el, for the LORD fighteth for them against the Ca'naan-ites."
   Sis'e-ra himself fled before the armies of Ba'rak in his war chariot. When hard pressed by his pursuers, however, he was forced to alight from the chariot and to seek refuge on foot. Coming to a tent in which a Ke'nite family lived, he was invited to come in by a woman named Ja'el. She seems to have been on friendly terms with the Ca'naan-ites, but at heart was a true Is'ra-el-ite who hoped to aid Ba'rak in his final defeat of their foes. She gave milk and butter to Sis'e-ra, told him to lie down and sleep, and offered to hide him from his pursuers. When he was sound asleep she took an iron tent-peg and drove it through his temples with a hammer. Then she saw Ba'rak searching for the heathen general, so she called him to see how Sis'e-ra had been slain. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Deb'o-rah that the honor of the victory should be given a woman.

Story 67: The Triumph Of Deb'o-rah The Prophetess And Ba'rak The Warrior ll

   Ten thousand men, most of whom were from the tribes of Naph'ta-li and Zeb'u-lun, were called to arms by Ba'rak. Many of these soldiers came from the ranks of Ja'bin's slave-workers in the war chariot factories at Ha'zor and in the timber regions of that territory. Armed with axes, hatchets, iron-working tools, and such other weapons as they could gather, the ten thousand men gathered on Mount Ta'bor. From this elevation they could look down upon the great host of Sis'e-ra encamped on the plains of Es-dra-e'lon. With Ba'rak at the head of the Is'ra-el-ite army, and with Deb'o-rah as the guiding spirit of the war, these men prepared to rush down upon the huge army of Sis'e-ra.
   Determined to crush the hopes of Is'ra-el for independence, and to press his conquest deeper into their land, Sis'e-ra had gathered a vast army from northwestern Ca'naan. His forces were vastly superior in numbers and equipment to the army of Is'ra-el, but there was one very important factor which Sis'e-ra neglected. "The captain of the LORD'S host" was at the head of Is'ra-el's selected army; the LORD God was fighting for His chosen people.
   When all was in readiness for the battle to begin, Deb'o-rah was led by the Holy Spirit to tell Ba'rak when the moment had arrived for decisive action against the enemy. Speaking in the name of the LORD, she declared that the God who had performed so many miracles for Is'ra-el in the past would now lead them to victory. With fiery enthusiasm, with courage and faith flashing from her eyes, Deb'o-rah stood before the army of Is'ra-el like an angel sent by the LORD.

Story 67: The Triumph Of Deb'o-rah The Prophetess And Ba'rak The Warrior l

   We are not told how long E'hud lived to rule over Is'ra-el, but his death probably took place toward the close of the period of eighty years of peace which followed his notable defeat of the Mo'ab-ites. We do know, however, that after his death there began another lapse into idolatry which increased in its evil influence upon the life of Is'ra-el until another great affliction was brought upon them by the invasion of a mighty force of Ca'naan-ites from the north.
   Prior to the invasion of the Ca'naan-ites from the north, there was a local uprising of the Phi-lis'tines in the coastal cities of western Ca'naan. A hero named Sham'gar organized a group of farmers and crushed this revolt, thereby preventing a war which might have spread throughout the land. Armed only with an ox goad, Sham'gar and his followers slew six hundred Phi-lis'tines in one heroic feat, and thus broke up the disturbance. The ox goads used in those days were eight feet long and about six inches in circumference, and had a sharp prong at one end for driving cattle.
   Before long the tribes occupying the northern section of the land were conquered by the Ca'naan-ites, who had reoccupied the city of Ha'zor. This city had been captured by Josh'u-a more than one hundred and fifty years before. Another king of the same name as the one conquered and slain by Josh'u-a had extended his rule over a large area in the northern part of the country, holding several strong coastal towns. For twenty years Ja'bin severely oppressed the people of Naph'ta-li and Zeb'u-lun, forcing the men to cut and hew timbers in the forests for transport to the port of Zi'don. His chief ambition was to win back all the territories which had been taken from his ancestors by Josh'u-a. He stationed a large army in the plains of Jez're-el-also called Es-dra-e'lon and Me-gid'do-in which there were nine hundred war chariots of iron and thousands of well trained soldiers.
   Sympathizing with the people of the two tribes who were oppressed by Ja'bin, and realizing that the entire country was in danger from the invasion, all Is'ra-el resorted to prayer. Twice before, under the same circumstances, the nation had turnt to God in repentance and prayer-first, in the time of the Syr'i-an oppression, and later when crushed under the iron heel of the Mo'ab-ite king-and both times God had raised up a deliverer.
   This time the LORD had ready for the emergency a noble woman called Deb'o-rah, who already held a place of honor in the nation. She was famed as a prophetess, a sweet singer, and a capable judge, and was a heroine fully prepared for the dangers of war. So noted was she for giving good advice that all Is'ra-el looked to her for counsel. She was a woman of unfaltering faith in God, believed in His Covenant with the chosen people, and relied upon His promises for help.
   Having been stirred to the heart by the impulse to overthrow Sis'e-ra and his mighty host, Deb'o-rah called upon Ba'rak, a military leader of renown, to raise an army of ten thousand men from the tribes of Naph'ta-li and Zeb'u-lun for an attack upon the armies of the Ca'naan-ites on the plains of Es-dra-e'lon. Barak felt unworthy of such an appointment, and accepted it only on condition that Deb'o-rah would go with him into the battle. Deb'o-rah granted this request, but told Barak that because of his lack of faith and courage the honor of the victory over Sis'e-ra would be given to a woman.

Story 66: Oth'ni-el And E'hud, Two Heroes Of Is'rael lll

   This time He used the Mo'ab-ites to scourge Is'ra-el. For nearly a century these neighboring heathens had looked with envy upon the growth of a people for whom they had a deep hatred. Struck with awe by the power of God which so often aided Is'ra-el, and long having been too weak to attack them, they had patiently awaited an opportunity of gaining vengeance. Finally, when Is'ra-el began to show weakness through neglect of God's Law, the time seemed opportune. Eg'lon, the king of Mo'ab, invited the Am'mon-ites and Am'a-lek-ites to join him in an invasion of the land. In some strange way Divine Providence caused the schemes of Eg'lon to succeed, while failure and disaster attended every effort of the Is'ra-el-ites to defend themselves.
   The invaders brought the entire land under their control, plundered the country of its products, and oppressed the people with heavy tribute. For eighteen years Is'ra-el was under the iron heel of the combined heathen nations. The city of Jer'i-cho, which had been delivered into their hands by a miracle, was made a Mo'ab-ite stronghold to guard the passes across the Jor'dan, and to force Is'ra-el into subjection. The children of Is'ra-el refused to serve God with the corn and wine and oil which He gave them in abundance, but were forced to include these things in their tributes to the oppressors.
   Once again the Is'ra-el-ites were brought to their knees through suffering, and fled to their only refuge in penitence and prayer. The LORD heard their cry, and raised up another deliverer. His name was E'hud, a valiant man of the tribe of Ju'dah who was more skilled in the use of his left hand than he was with his right.
   The first duty imposed upon E'hud by the LORD was the removal of Eg'lon, the Mo'ab-ite king who had a palace in Jer'i-cho. Eg'lon was a glutton, very fat, and indolent. He had directed his people in seizing the property of the Is'ra-el-ites, and in many oppressive acts filled the homes of the land with misery and wailing. For such cruelty he was doomed by the LORD to a shameful death, and E'hud was chosen to bring it to pass.
   The man of God called upon Eg'lon to pay the tribute which the Mo'ab-ites demanded of Is'ra-el. Then he returnt to the palace, telling the guards that he had a private message for the king. He was admitted to the king's room, where he was left alone with the man he was to destroy in the LORD'S name. The guards had not noticed his sword, for he carried it where a right-handed man could not reach it. He then approached the king with the announcement of God's judgment upon him, and suddenly thrust his sword through Eg'lon's body. Locking the parlor door from inside, E'hud escaped through an unguarded porch and fled to the mountains of E'phra-im. The guards of the palace finally unlocked the door, but were too late to revive the king.
   Terror spread quickly through all the encampments of the Mo'ab-ites, for God had provided a way to confuse and alarm all the people of this heathen nation. E'hud sounded a trumpet to summon Is'ra-el to battle, and the army descended upon the Mo'ab-ites at the fords of the Jor'dan. Nearly ten thousand men were slain, and not one Mo'ab-ite escaped death. The land of Is'ra-el was completely freed of the heathen invaders, and there followed a period of peace and prosperity which lasted for eighty years.

Story 66: Oth'ni-el And E'hud, Two Heroes Of Is'ra-el ll

   These long years of punishment worked out the purposes and mercy of God toward Is'ra-el. They were severely afflicted, not merely for the sake of punishment, but in order to correct and reform them. God was seeking to turn them back to Himself. He was seeking to cure them of the dreadful disease which had done so much harm among them. When these purposes were fully accomplished, He raised up from among them a leader who delivered them from the rule of Chu'shan and restored peace and prosperity to the land. When Is'ra-el repented of their sins and cried in righteous sorrow to the LORD, He came to their help as quickly as He had so many times in the past.
   In choosing the man of the hour, who must be capable of organizing the Is'ra-el-ites for war against their foreign masters, and of leading them in breaking the yoke of a cruel king who had terrified the people for eight years, the LORD laid His hand on a veteran named Oth'ni-el. He was a member of the family Ke'naz, was closely related to Ca'leb, and had won honor in the early wars of Is'ra-el in Ca'naan. In the notable victory at De'bir his name had risen as a star of the first magnitude in the military skies of Is'ra-el.
   Oth'ni-el was a man of ripe experience, being fully eighty-five years of age when he was called to judge Is'ra-el. He had learnt long before that Is'ra-el's hope of victory in war depended upon faith in God, and that their defeats were always the result of unbelief and departure from the Laws of God. He was a deeply religious man, and to him the honor of God's name was more precious than anything else in the world. He attacked the armies of Chu'shan in the name of the all-powerful God, and at the same time used all his own skill as a leader. All the resources at his command were faithfully employed, and, with practical endurance and perfect trust in God, he accomplished what appeared to be impossible. The Syr'i-ans were driven from the land, and Is'ra-el was given forty years of rest from all enemies.
   After the deliverance of Is'ra-el from the oppression of the Syr'i-ans, the worship of God was resumed throughout the nation, and idolatry was overthrown. Civil justice was restored, and the laws and ordinances of God were now fully resumed.
   Upon the death of Oth'ni-el, however, the children of Is'ra-el once again fell into idolatrous practices and evils of various kinds. Again the LORD visited them with severe punishments for their sins. He afflicted them to show that He cannot violate His own Holiness by allowing His people to worship false gods, that sin is always a deep offense to Him, and that He will not let His own people engage in things which undermine their character and destroy their happiness.

Story 66: Oth'ni-el And E'hud, Two Heroes Of Is'ra-el l

   It hardly seems possible that a people who had been so greatly honored by the LORD, and who had made such strong pledges of loyalty to Him, would soon fall into disgraceful idolatry and heathen wickedness. And yet this is exactly what happened within twenty or thirty years after the death of Josh'u-a. A people, chosen of God, highly privileged and well trained, became treacherous in heart and wicked in life. A nation which had been founded by special acts of Divine Providence and blessed with the noblest leaders of any age suddenly forgot the favors of God, fell into a state of idolatry, and disobeyed the known Will of God.
   Instead of driving the idolaters out of the land, the Is'ra-el-ites mingled with them even to the point of worshiping their false gods. The Covenant which they had solemnly made with God was rejected, the fear of God was cast off, His Laws were scorned or forgotten, and the worship which belonged to Him was given to lifeless images.
   Is'ra-el had avoided the danger of war with the heathens among them by forming sinful alliances, by accepting them as good neighbors, by entering into marriages which the LORD had forbidden, and by lowering their standards of religion. Because of these sins the LORD brought upon them a strong enemy from outside the land of the Is'ra-el-ites.
   Chu'shan-Rish-a-tha'im, who was king of Syr'i-a on the Eu-phra'tes, and who was a terror throughout the east, invaded the land of Is'ra-el with a great army. His name stood for lawlessness, violence, and cruelty, and he was called "the crime-committing Chu'shan." He ruled the rich country of Mes-o-po-ta'mia, which lay between the Ti'gris and Eu-phra'tes rivers, and dominated neighboring countries for hundreds of miles around.
   Traversing a distance of four hundred miles, this cruel king invaded the land of Is'ra-el from the east, and there followed one of the most tragic stories of the weakness caused by sin. The powerful host of God's people, before whom the armies of the Am'o-rites and Am'mon-ites had melted away like snow under a burning sun, trembled in fear of the invader from the far northeast. The mighty army which had routed more than thirty kings in Ca'naan quailed in dismay, and the soldiers turnt their backs in fright at the appearance of a single chieftain and his army from far away Syr'i-a.
   For eight years the Is'ra-el-ites were forced to live under the oppression of Chu'shan. They were treated  as though they were slaves, were beaten and tortured, and forced to pay heavy tribute to their masters. it was a period of terrible sufferings, of broken hearts and bruised limbs, and of unspeakable anguish as the people bowed under the iron rule of the dark prince of the house of Ham, notorious for his "double-wickedness." For their abandonment of God's Covenant they were abandoned by God, and were left to reap the natural result of their idolatry and wickedness.
  

Story 65: Josh'u-a's Closing Years; His Farewell Messages To Is'ra-el lV

   To this challenge the people of Is'ra-el responded with pledges of absolute loyalty to God, declaring that they would never forsake Him, or serve other gods. Thinking of all the Mighty works He had performed for them, they said, "There is no god like our God." With hearts full of gratitude for all that He had done for them, the people declared that they did not belong to themselves, to do as they pleased, but that they belonged to the God who had redeemed them as His very own.
   Josh'u-a then warned them that they could not serve God and at the same time worship idols. He declared, "Our God is Holy and jealous, and will not give or divide His glory with any other. You cannot serve Him in a half hearted manner, nor can you serve Him in your own strength."
   Although these words of Josh'u-a appeared to suggest that complete loyalty to God was beyond the strength of man, the Is'ra-el-ites replied, "Yes, but we will serve the LORD." They clung to their determination to be true to God and to refrain from every vestige of idolatry even more strongly and persistently than at first.
   This declaration of faith and loyalty to Him was accepted by the LORD on condition that the Is'ra-el-ites immediately put out of their hearts every tendency to serve other gods. Josh'u-a reminded them once more that God is jealous, and will accept no divided services of any kind. Truly, God is jealous of His own Glory, of the righteousness of His children, of the Supremacy of His Kingdom in the hearts and lives of His people, and of the influences which His people have over others. This jealousy is wholly unselfish, and is all-important in the happiness and welfare of God's children.
   After receiving these solemn pledges of constant allegiance and loyalty to God, Josh'u-a made a Covenant with the people. He also erected by the side of the Tabernacle in She'chem a stone memorial to the promises which had been given him. This monument was to serve as an everlasting reminder of the pledges given to God on this memorial occasion, and as a witness against Is'ra-el if they departed from the LORD.
   The people of Is'ra-el were sent back to their tribal homes, and soon afterwards Josh'u-a died and his body was buried on the border of Tim'nath. E-le-a'zar, the High Priest, died a short time later, and one by one the elders of Is'ra-el who had been associated with Josh'u-a also passed away. But Josh'u-a, though dead, continued to speak. His unselfish and holy life became an abiding power to hold those he had faithfully served steadfast in the faith. Through the gloom and heaviness caused by his death the radiant brightness of his noble character continued to shine.

Story 65: Josh'u-a's Closing Years ; His Farewell Messages To Is'ra-el lll

   Josh'u-a began his address by reminding the Is'ra-el-ites of their humble origin. Their ancestors before the Flood had been idol-worshipers. A'bra-ham's father was an idolater, but he had been chosen of God and called out of a land of idolatry. Under the grace and protection of God he had sojourned in the land of Ca'naan, and God had promised this land as a national home for his descendants. The patriarch's I'saac and Ja'cob had dwelt in the land of Ca'naan, and with each of them God had renewed the Covenant which he had made with A'bra-ham. Josh'u-a presented these facts as the basis of an appeal for humility, gratitude, and loyalty.
   He then spoke briefly of the two hundred fifteen years in E'gypt, and of the slavery into which the Is'ra-el-ites had fallen toward the end of that period. He reminded them of the love of God in giving them Mo'ses to lead them out of bondage in E'gypt, and to impart to them the Laws of God; of God's favor in giving them Aa'ron to direct their worship; and of the miraculous way in which God had cared for them and guided them during their forty years in the wilderness. It had been through God's help that they were delivered from the armies of E'gypt, from the superior forces of the Am'a-lek-ites, from the scheming of Ba'lak and the greed of Ba'laam, and from the powerful tribes of the Am'o-rites.
   The marvelous manner in which God had enabled them to conquer the warlike nations of Ca'naan was quickly reviewed. Strong enemies which might easily have defeated them had they been left to their own strength were overthrown by the LORD. Thirty-one strong heathen nations east of the Jor'dan had been subdued, and their lands and cities given to the Is'ra-el-ites for an inheritance. Under the gracious Providence of God they were now living in houses which they had not built, gathering fruits from orchards which they had not planted, enjoying the finest of grapes from vineyards on which they had bestowed no labor, and living in security under His continued Blessings.
   With these proofs that God had chosen as His people, with the record of four hundred and fifty years of miraculous favors from God in the past, and with the blessings which they now enjoyed as the basis of His appeal, Josh'u-a urged Is'ra-el to serve God with perfect sincerity. They were called upon to avoid every form of idolatry, and to serve and worship only the True God. Declaring his own allegiance to God, Josh'u-a challenged the faith of the others in these words, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve."
  

Story 65: Josh'u-a's Closing Years; His Farewell Messages To Is'ra-el ll

   Looking to the future of Is'ra-el, he urged these leaders to be very courageous in doing all that God had commanded them, and assured them that the same God who had enabled them to conquer so much of the land would give them strength to drive out the heathens yet remaining within their borders. He earnestly warned them against joining in the idol-worship practiced by the heathens in their midst and in the neighboring countries. Just as their victories of the past had been won by holding fast to God, so their future triumphs would depend upon their obedience to Him and to His Commandments.
   Josh'u-a spoke very plainly in his warnings against any social or domestic alliances with the heathen families not yet driven out of Ca'naan. The Is'ra-el-ites must avoid the "snares and traps" of associating with such people, for, once they were ensnared by them, "scourges" would pierce their sides, and "thorns" would pluck out their eyes.
   Setting forth the love of God for them, he warned the people that love sinned against may be turnt into fierce anger. Mercy rejected has its counterpart in cold, stern justice. Transgression of the Holy Laws of God demands righteous indignation against the transgressor. Josh'u-a solemnly warned Is'ra-el that those who disobeyed God's Law would perish quickly.
   After delivering this message to the leaders of Is'ra-el, Josh'u-a lived quietly in his home for a few months before death finally came to him. He lived long enough to deliver a second and final message to all Is'ra-el. In his first message he had spoken in a personal and private manner, but in the second he spoke under direct inspiration from God. This address was delivered before the whole house of Is'ra-el as they assembled at She'chem, which was the exact center of the Holy Land.
   It was fitting for the last assembly of Is'ra-el to hear the voice of Josh'u-a to be held at She'chem. It was here that the Covenant was first given to A'bra-ham four hundred and fifty years before. It was in this vicinity that God appeared to Ja'cob in a vision by night and renewed the Covenant, and it was under an oak tree near this city that Ja'cob cast out the strange gods from his family. Twenty-three years before this assembly Josh'u-a had gathered all Is'ra-el on this sacred spot for the renewal of the Covenant which God had made with A'bra-ham and I'saac and Ja'cob, and for the public reading of all the laws of Mo'ses. Her God had promised to this generation the inheritance of the whole land of Ca'naan, and here the people had solemnly pledged their obedience to all His laws. How fitting, for Is'ra-el to be in a place of so many Holy memories to hear Josh'u-a's farewell address!

Story 65: Josh'u-a's Closing Years; His Farewell Messages To Is'ra-el l

   After all the tribes of Is'ra-el had been allotted their territories, and the borders of each had been clearly defined, a special inheritance was given to Josh'u-a. He had been foremost in the service of his country, but was last to receive a reward. Not until he had brought the whole nation into rich possessions would he accept a home for himself. The same meek spirit which had dominated his entire service in the wars of Is'ra-el prevailed in the division of the land which had been conquered.
   He asked of the High Priest E-le-a'zar and of the people that he be given the city of Tim'nath, an obscure place in the heart of the mountains of E'phra-im. Its chief fame in history is that it was founded and built by Josh'u-a, and that his body was buried in its vicinity.
   With the smile of God upon him, with the satisfaction of having done his work well, and with the gratitude of Is'ra-el for his faithful services, Josh'u-a retired to this quiet mountain home to spend his declining years. He was then about ninety-three years old, and for forty-seven years all his energy had been devoted to the welfare of Is'ra-el. Grown old at last, and weakened by the toils and hardships of the war in Ca'naan, he was entitled to rest. He had built a nation for Is'ra-el, and now under the kindly Providences of God he was permitted to build a humble city for himself. His strength was renewed, and so much of his former vigor restored that he lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and ten.
   Then his strength began to fail so rapidly that he knew the hour of his departure was near. In these moments of physical weakness his faith in God grew stronger, and his interest in the future welfare of Is'ra-el became more intense. He sent out an invitation for the elders, the princes and judges, and the leaders of various ranks in all the tribes to come to his home for a special message. A prompt response was given to this invitation, and a group which represented all Is'ra-el gathered to hear his message. He spoke not of the perpetuation of his own honor, but only of the preservation of Is'ra-el's integrity and faithfulness to God.
   In recounting his past services for Is'ra-el he boasted of nothing which he had done, but called attention to the miraculous manner in which God had fought for Is'ra-el. Nowhere in his message was there a word of self-esteem or self-praise. He spoke of himself only as a servant of God, and gave all honor to God as the Captain of the host of Is'ra-el. Every victory he had won was credited to the guidance and power of God. He had done nothing, but God had done everything.

Story 64: The Division Of Ca'naan Among The Twelve Tribes Of Is'ra-el VI

   Reu'ben, as the eldest son of Ja'cob, was entitled to the first rank among the tribes, and to a double share in the inheritance of Ca'naan. But he had lost those privileges by committing a great sin, and by leading a life which did not do him credit. Ja'cob therefore predicted that Reu'ben's descendants would hold a place of little importance in the inheritance of the twelve tribes.
   The territory allotted to Reu'ben by Mo'ses was on the east side of the Jor'dan and the Dead Sea, extending from the borders of Gad on the north to the land of Mo'ab on the south, and was about thirty miles wide. it was mountainous and well watered. Although the section lying along the Dead Sea was useless for human habitation or for pasturage, the remainder of this territory was well adapted to stock-raising, and was given to the tribe of Reu'ben because of these advantages.
   Two hundred and fifty years before the occupation of Ca'naan by the Is'ra-el-ites, Ja'cob had predicted that the tribe of Le'vi would be scattered throughout all the other tribes of the nation. Then, forty years before Is'ra-el entered the Promised Land, Mo'ses had directed that the male members of this tribe should be set apart for religious services as assistants to the priests, and that no inheritance or allotment be given to them. So, in the division of Ca'naan by Josh'u-a, no allottments were made to this tribe.
   Provision was made for them, however, in the appointment of forty-eight cities throughout the various tribes for their residence. While these cities were not owned by the Le'vites, nor occupied by them alone, enough houses were set aside to meet their needs. Provision was made for their support by requiring  the people of all the tribes to present tithes from their products of the land and from the increase of their sheep and cattle. Thus these religious workers were distributed throughout the land of Is'ra-el, and their needs were provided for so that all the people could be served by them.
   Having completed the allotments of territory for all the tribes of Is'ra-el settled west of the Jor'dan, and having confirmed the allotments made by Mo'ses east of the river, Josh'u-a solemnly warned the people that the Ca'naan-ites must be completely driven out of the territory allotted to each tribe. He then sent all the tribes to the territories to which they had been assigned, and took up residence in the special allotment which had been provided for him. He had faithfully served the interest of the Nation under Mo'ses for forty years; and for seven years he had led Is'ra-el in a continuous war in conquering much of the land of Ca'naan. He retired to a well earned and much deserved period of rest.

Story 64: The Division Of Ca'naan Among The Twelve Tribes Of Is'ra-el V

   According to the prophecies of both Ja'cob and Mo'ses, the descendants of Naph'ta-li were to be noted for vivacity, timidity, and mildness in manner. From them were to come men and women gifted with eloquence in both prose and poetry. Ba'rak was descended from this tribe, and most of the apostles of our Sav'ior who preached the Gospel with such power came from this region. To this tribe, with its 53,400 men over twenty, Josh'u-a allotted a large inland area north of Is'sa-char, with Zeb'u-lun and Ash'er on the west, and bordering on the river Jor'dan to the east. The southern projections and foot-hills of the famed Leb'a-non mountains extended into this area, giving it richness and fertility. Ha'zor, the capital city of Ja'bin, who led in the unsuccessful league against Is'ra-el, was located in this territory. On its southeastern border was the sea od Chin'ne-roth, later known as the sea of Gal'i-lee, around which the Sav'ior spent much of His public ministry.
   Ja'cob and Mo'ses had predicted that the tribe of Ash'er would enjoy great worldly prosperity. Their land was to be one of plenty, providing not only necessities, but dainties of the richest kind. At the time the allotments were made, Ash'er numbered 53,400 men over the age of twenty. To them was assigned a strip of territory along the coast of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an extending from Mt. Car'mel on the south to the city of Tyre on the north, and extending eastward for fifteen to twenty-five miles. This area was made up of low mountains and rich plains, well adapted to growing the finest grains. The mountains were rich in valuable minerals and oil. The whole country was covered with olive orchards, gardens of tropical fruits, and broad fields of wheat. It was from this rich district that Sol'o-mon, several centuries later, supplied food for his friendly neighbors in Tyre and Si'don. Ac'cho, the best seaport on the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an coast, was situated at the southern end of Ash'er, and was the center of sailing and commerce by men from the tribes of Ash'er and Zeb'u-lun.
   The prophetic statements of Ja'cob and Mo'ses concerning the descendants of Gad indicated that these people were to be patient and persevering,  capable of strong resistance in war. They were also skilled in the occupation of stock-raising. To them Mo'ses had assigned a large territory east of the Jor'dan, extending from the borders of Reu'ben on the south near the northern end of the Dead Sea to the southern borders of Ma'nas-seh on the north near the southern end of the sea of Chi'ne-roth.. This tract was about thirty miles wide. It was well watered and adapted to stock-raising, and was so situated that the Gad'ites could join the people of Ma'nas-seh in resisting invasions of the wandering tribes of the Syr'i-an desert east of the borders of Is'ra-el.

Story 64: The Division Of Ca'naan Among The Twelve Tribes Of Is'ra-el lV

   The tribe of Ma'nas-seh, descendants of the other son of Jo'seph, had grown in numbers much more rapidly than the tribe of E'phra-im, and its male population over the age of twenty totaled 52,700. Its members had also prospered in flocks and herds, and were noted for skill and bravery in war. To half of this tribe Mo'ses had allotted the territory east of Jor'dan known as Gil'e-ad. To the other half Josh'u-a gave a section of the best territory of Ca'naan lying north of E'phra-im, extending from the Jor'dan to the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an Sea. Even with these two large areas, the tribe of Ma'nas-seh complained that they needed more land. Josh'u-a told them to help the other tribes in taking some of the cities yet unconquered, and that the cities which they took outside of their allotment would belong to them.
   The tribe of Is'sa-char was one of the larger of the twelve, having an adult male population of 64,300. It had been predicted that they would be an agricultural people, content with the fruits of peace and industry, and having no desire for the adventures of war. Material prosperity was their chief object in life, yet they did not have enterprise enough to avoid paying tribute to other nations which were stronger. They were given a rather small area just north of Ma'nas-seh, with the Jor'dan forming the eastern boundary, extending north for about thirty miles, and west for about the same distance. The land was mountainous, but within its borders there were many fertile plains, rich valleys, and several important towns. The main road leading from the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an to the interior of Ca'naan passed through the southern part of the territory.
   It had been predicted that the descendants of Zeb'u-lun would become a great maritime people. This tribe had increased greatly in numbers, having a male population over the age of twenty of 60,500. The people were chiefly interested in commerce and industrial growth. They received a comparatively small district immediately northwest of Is'sa-char, and bordering on the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an Sea for a distance of about fifteen miles. The land was less mountainous than much of Ca'naan, and there were many fertile plains and valleys. On the west was a part of the plains of Me-gid'do, famed as a battlefield in both ancient and medieval times, and over which passed the road from the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an to the interior of the country.

Story 64: The Division Of Ca'naan Among The Twelve Tribes Of Is'ra-el lll

   The tribe of Sim'e-on was the smallest in numbers, having only 22,200 warriors. It had been predicted that this tribe would be closely associated with the tribe of Ju'dah, and dependent upon them in many respects. Sim'e-on was therefore given a territory south of the allotment of Ju'dah, bordering on the deserts of E'dom. The soil was poor in quality, the climate very dry for most of the year, and the country was unable to sustain even this small tribe. For this reason a number of cities within the borders of Ju'dah were assigned to Sim'e-on.
   It had been predicted that Ben'ja-min would be a tribe given to conquest, and in the wars of Ca'naan its members had been noted for courage and bravery. In occupation and habits, the people of this tribe were very much like those of Ju'dah. Since it was comparatively small in numbers, having only 45,600 able bodied men over twenty, there was no need for a large area. Ben'ja-min therefore received a small mountainous territory north of the eastern half of Ju'dah, and not far from the future ruling powers of the nation.
   The tribe of Dan was destined for a position of leadership in culture, political power, and the development of crafts. Numbering 64,400 warriors, it was allotted a comparatively small area just north of Ju'dah, and east of the territory given to Ben'ja-min and E'phra-im. This small tract however, was capable of supporting a large and growing population, for it embraced the wide and fertile plains of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an.
   Special favors had been promised to the tribe of E'phra-im because its members were descendants of one of the sons of Jo'seph. They had shown great courage during the wars of Is'ra-el, and had become prosperous in flocks and herds. Although the tribe at this time numbered only 32,500 men above the age of twenty, it had been promised a multitude of descendants; E'phra-im therefore received a very large area in central Ca'naan. This territory extended from the Jor'dan on the east to the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an on the west, and was north of Ben'ja-min and Dan. Most of this area was very mountainous, but the soil was rich and fertile, and fresh streams of water flowed in abundance. It was, in many respects, the best part of Ca'naan. Within its borders were the mountains of E'bal and Ger'iz-im, where the Covenant had been renewed by Is'ra-el soon after entering Ca'naan; the sacred city of She'chem, and other places memorable in the lives of A'bra-ham, I'saac, and Ja'cob.

Story 64: The Division Of Ca'naan Among The Twelve Tribes Of Is'ra-el ll

   Throughout his faithful ministry Josh'u-a had repeatedly been promised by the LORD that he should cause the Is'ra-el-ites to inherit the Promised Land. One of his greatest desires was to see each of the tribes settled in the territory which was to be allotted, to have the whole land divided among them according to the directions of God. And so the LORD directed him to cease from war, and to divide the land. After this, he was to retire, leaving the conquest of all unpossessed lands and cities entirely in the hands of the various tribes.
   God also directed him to remove the Tabernacle from Gil'gal, where it had stood for nearly seven years, to a place called Shi'loh in the mountainous region which was to be allotted to the tribe of E'phra-im. This city was situated in the geographical center of the land of the Is'ra-el-ites, and remained the central place of worship for the whole nation for more than three hundred years. The Ark of the Covenant was thus placed at a point which was convenient for all the people, and the He'brews from every part of the land, including the tribes east of the Jor'dan, were required to go up to Shi'loh for special sacrifices and religious festivals.
   Before moving the Tabernacle from Gil'gal to Shi'loh, Josh'u-a made allotments for the tribes of Ju'dah and Sim'e-on. After setting up the Tabernacle at Shi'loh he called the entire house of Is'ra-el into an assembly for allotting the remaining territory of Ca'naan to the other seven tribes, and to the half tribe of Ma'nas-seh which had so far received no land. A commission of thirty-six men, three from each of the tribes of Is'ra-el, was appointed to make a complete survey of the land not yet allotted, and to set the boundaries for the allotments which were about to be made. After devoting about six months to a survey of these lands, the commission reported its findings to Josh'u-a, and the allotments were made.
   In making these allotments great care was taken to follow the prophecies which Ja'cob had made concerning each tribe two hundred and fifty years before, and which had been confirmed by Mo'ses in his farewell address. Each tribe was given the territory best adapted to its own habits and occupations, and to the place which it would hold in the future history of the entire nation.
   The tribe of Ju'dah was the largest in numbers, there being 76,500 men above the age of twenty who were able to bear arms. It had been honored with the position of leadership, and from it would be born the future kings of the nation and the promised Mes-si'ah. This tribe was therefore given a large mountainous area west of the Dead Sea and extending to the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an. This tract was filled with fertile valleys and hills, and abounded in fruitful vineyards and green pastures.

Story 64: The Division Of Ca'naan Among The Twelve Tribes Of Is'ra-el l

   For nearly seven years after the Is'ra-el-ites entered the land of Ca'naan under the leadership of Josh'u-a they were engaged in unceasing war. Several invasions were made in various parts of the land, and the whole country was subdued. The Is'ra-el-ites had succeeded in breaking the power of all the idolatrous nations which formerly occupied the land of Ca'naan.
   Before the death of Mo'ses the Mo'ab-ites, Am'mon-ites, and Am'o-rites had been routed from their lands east of the Jor'dan, and this territory had been given to the tribes of Reu'ben and Gad, and to half of the tribe of Ma'nas-seh.
   In the southern section of Ca'naan west of the Jor'dan the Am'a-lek-ites, Ke'nites, and E'dom-ites had been overcome by Josh'u-a, and their lands were allotted to the tribes of Ju'dah and Sim'e-on.
   In the mountainous central regions west of the Jor'dan the combined forces of Is'ra-el had completely defeated the Hi'vites, Ca'naan-ites, Hit'tites, Per'iz-zites, and Je'bu-sites, and their lands were assigned to the tribes of Ben'ja-min and E'phra-im, and to the other half of the tribe of Ma'nas-seh.
   The northern section of the land west of the Jor'dan was taken from the Am'or-ites, Ca'naan-ites, and Gir'ga-shites, and their lands were given to the tribes od Is'sa-char, Zeb'u-lun, and Naph'ta-li.
   The Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an coastal region had been occupied by the Phi-lis'tines, Ca'naan-ites, and Zi'don-ians, but these strong nations had been subdued by Josh'u-a. The lands in this district were assigned to the tribe of Ash'er on the northwest, to the tribe of Dan in the west central part of the land, and parts of these grants were added to the territory of E'phra-im and Ma'nas-seh.
   Within the territories taken from all these heathen nations there remained many towns and settlements which were not conquered in the general war led by Josh'u-a. Although Josh'u-a was nearly one hundred years old, and his strength was failing, he felt it his duty to go on with the conflict until every city was won and no land was left unpossessed by Is'ra-el.
   But the LORD directed him to bring to a close the general war, and to divide the land west of the Jor'dan among the nine tribes of Is'ra-el which had not yet received their allotments, and to provide for the other half of the tribe of Ma'nas-seh. The conquest of the cities and lands which were still unsubdued was to be placed in the hands of the various tribes in whose territory they were situated.

Story 63: The Conquest Of Northern Ca'naan; Ca'leb Wins Honor ll

   In making the allotments of land to the twelve tribes of Is'ra-el, one man of the tribe of Ju'dah had shown great ability. It was Ca'leb, who was the only man among the Is'ra-el-ites, except Josh'u-a, who was past sixty years of age when they crossed the Jor'dan into the land of Ca'naan. He was honored in a special manner because of his faithfulness as one of the spies sent out by Mo'ses. The giants which had caused a spirit of fear and cowardice among the Is'ra-el-ites lived in the vicinity of He'bron. In making their report to Mo'ses, Ca'leb and Josh'u-a had said, "We are well able to subdue these mighty people." For forty-five years Ca'leb had waited to make good that statement, and to occupy the city of He'bron which had vividly remained in his memory.
   When the time arrived for the land of Ca'naan to be divided among the families of Is'ra-el, Ca'leb came to Josh'u-a and said, "I was forty years old when Mo'ses sent me to spy out this land, and though I am now eighty-five, I am as strong as I was in the day that Mo'ses commanded us to inspect the land of Ca'naan. I am fully capable for the most strenuous demands of warfare with the strongest peoples of these mountainous regions. The LORD promised me that I should have this part of the land, and now I ask that He'bron and the mountains occupied by roving giants be given to me."
   This bold request proved the heroic spirit of Ca'leb. In his bravery, however, he counted upon the favor of God for future victories over these strong enemies, and he confessed, "If the LORD shall be with me, then shall I be able to drive out these giants," The request of Ca'leb was granted by Josh'u-a, and a special blessing was pronounced upon him.
   A few miles southwest of He'bron there was a place known as De'bir, or Kir'jath-Seph'er, which was strongly fortified by one of the bravest of the tribes of giants. Ca'leb asked for a volunteer to lead in attacking and capturing this stronghold.
   Among the bravest men of his army was a captain named Oth'ni-el, who was in love with Ca'leb's daughter Ach'sah. Ca'leb hoped that his daughter would choose for her husband a man who was noted for honor, bravery, and zeal in the conquest of the land, so he proposed to give his daughter in marriage to the man who led in taking De'bir.
   Oth'ni-el offered to undertake this task, not only because he was willing to risk his life for the woman he loved, but because he was a man of superior courage and character. His bold attack upon the strongly defended place was successful, Ach'sah was given to him on marriage, and at her request Ca'leb bestowed a dowry more than was customary.
   After the death of Josh'u-a, Oth'ni-el was chosen as the first Judge of all Is'ra-el, and he served his nation for many years with honor and distinction.

Story 63: The Conquest Of Northern Ca'naan; Ca'leb Wins Honor l

   following the victory of Is'ra-el over the united kings of southern Ca'naan, and the conquest of all their cities and towns, Josh'u-a turnt his attention to the vast mountain regions of northern Ca'naan and the plains of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an. Only one year was needed in the conquest of southern Ca'naan, beginning with the overthrow of Jer'i-cho, but it took about five years to subdue the northern part of the Promised Land. We come now to the close of this period.

   On the way the LORD appeared to Josh'u-a in a vision, saying, "Tomorrow about this time I will deliver this great army into thy hands." It was the largest and best equipped army which Is'ra-el had been forced to meet, and for the first time they were to encounter cavalrymen and war chariots. It was only natural for the Is'ra-el-ites to be alarmed by these new dangers, so the LORD said to Josh'u-a, "Thou shalt smite their horses and burn their chariots with fire."

   In the battle on the plains of the waters of Me'rom, Josh'u-a and his army made the attack.

Aided by the LORD they descended upon the mighty army of northern Ca'naan with such force that the allied heathen soldiers were completely defeated. Thousands were killed, their horses were slain, and the war chariots were either captured or destroyed. The army of Ca'naan was driven from the field, and forced to retreat eastward toward the coastal city of Zi'don, and into the valley of Miz'peh. Is'ra-el pursued the Ca'naan-ites, burning their cities and slaying their kings. The entire country was conquered, and the heathen people were destroyed.

   On his return from these victories Josh'u-a paused long enough to destroy the city of Ha'zor and to slay its king. Even the giant-like people of the city of He'bron and the mountains of Ju'dah, who had been so terrifying to ten of the twelve spies who were sent out forty years before, were conquered and slain. Except for a few scattered towns, the entire land was brought under conquest.

   When seven years of continuous warfare had finally brought these victories to Is'ra-el, the LORD said to Josh'u-a, "Thou art old and stricken in strength, and their remaineth yet many isolated sections of the country to be conquered. These shall be given to Is'ra-el under My providence and by My power. But before you reach the end of your way, it is to be your privilege and duty to divide the land of Ca'naan among the twelve tribes." So Josh'u-a allotted certain territory to each tribe, and set the boundary lines. Towns and areas yet unconquered within any of the allotted territories were to be taken by the tribes to which they had been assigned.

Story 62: Josh'u-a Conquers Southern Ca'naan; The Sun And Moon Stand Still; Thousands Killed By Hailstones IV

   While the sun hung in the Heavens near the western horizon, and while the Am'o-rites who still lived were fleeing to a smaller town nearby, Josh'u-a made an earnest prayer to the LORD. He asked that the sun and moon in the Heavens be made to stand still, and the waning day prolonged, until the last of the enemies of Is'ra-el had been put to death. A poet has described the prayer and its answer in these words:
               "Sun, stand thou still upon Gib'eon;
               And thou, Moon, in the valley of Ai'ja-lon.
               And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed,
               Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies."
   It is said that the day was prolonged to twice its usual length, until the Is'ra-el-ites had slain every soldier of the five united kings. The kings themselves were captured in a cave where they had sought to hide, and were brought before Josh'u-a. They were forced to submit to a custom of the times which may seem cruel to us. Certain princes of Is'ra-el pressed their feet upon the necks of the kings, thereby showing that humiliating defeat was sure to be inflicted upon all who opposed the conquest of Ca'naan by the Is'ra-el-ites. Then the unhappy kings were hanged on a tree, and after the sun had gone down they were buried in the cave where they had hidden.
   Then followed a new series of battles and victories in which five other important cities were destroyed by the Is'ra-el-ites. Before this triumphant campaign ended, the entire southern territory of Ca'naan was conquered by Josh'u-a. Then Josh'u-a and his army returnt to Gil'gal, leaving the banners of conquest floating over the entire land from Ka'desh-Bar'ne-a on the south to Ga'za on the north, and from the low-lands of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an on the west to the city of Gib'eon on the east.

Story 62: Josh'u-a Conquers Southern Ca'naan; The Sun And Moon Stand Still; Thousands Killed By Hailstones lll

   The kings of these four cities agreed to the request, and there marched against the city of Gib'eon an army of five nations combined. This army was so much greater in numbers and strength that the forces of the Gib'eon-ites were in grave danger of complete destruction. Terrified by the superior forces of the five nations which gathered before the city, the Gib'eon-ites sent an urgent appeal to Josh'u-a for help.
   Josh'u-a's response was prompt and wholehearted. He immediately led the host of Is'ra-el against the armies of the five united kings, marching all night in order to make an attack early the next morning. The distance from Gil'gal to Gib'eon was eighteen miles, but by daybreak there was an Is'ra-el-ite army numbering at least four hundred thousand ready to go into battle at once. In the meantime the LORD appeared to Josh'u-a in a vision and promised him success, saying to him, "I have delivered them into thy hand." Thus victory was assured before a single blow had been struck.
   In the battle which followed, the Is'ra-el-ites fell upon the armies of the Am'o-rite kings like a mighty avalanche rolling down a mountain. The Am'o-rites were slaughtered by the thousands as they fled before the attack, and they were too greatly terrified and confused to make a firm stand. Soon they rushed in mad retreat down the western pass from Gib'eon, pursued by the Is'ra-el-ites, and constantly growing weaker. Then they fled up the steep mountain slopes leading to Beth-Ho'ron, a few miles to the northeast.
   The Am'o-rites thought that they had found a place of security in this little city, But the hand of God soon struck them a heavier blow than that which they had just received from Is'ra-el. The LORD caused a great hailstorm to fall upon them, some of the stones weighing as much as a pound, and it is said, "more were slain by the hailstones of the LORD than by the swords of Is'ra-el." Just as the fire and brimstone had fallen from Heaven upon their ancestors in Sod'om and Go'mor'rah, so deadly weapons of ice now poured down upon the idolatrous Am'o-rites.

Story 62: Josh'u-a Conquers Southern Ca'naan; The Sun And Moon Stand Still; Thousands Killed By Hailstones ll

   It appears that this treaty had the approval of the LORD, for Saul, who was king of Is'ra-el several hundred years before, was severely rebuked for slaying a group of Gib'eon-ites. Although God condemned them to slavery for their lying and deception, He honored their faith. The league which Josh'u-a and the princes of Is'ra-el had made with them was confirmed and made by the LORD.
   It also appears that the occupation of these four cities without warfare was a great advantage to the Is'ra-el-ites. The cities were midway between strong heathen nations to the north and to the south; by occupying them, Josh'u-a was able to thrust his army like a wedge into the center of the unfriendly nations of the country. Thus the alliance of the Ca'naan-ites was broken up almost before it had gotten under way.
   Among the stronger cities of southern Ca'naan there were five which were held by different tribes of Am'o-rites. These were as follows: Je-ru'sa-lem, about twenty miles southeast of Gil'gal; He'bron, one of the most ancient and important cities of the country, located about twenty-five miles south of Je-ru'sa-lem; Jar'muth, about fifteen miles southwest of Je-ru'sa-lem; La'chish, about thirty-five miles southwest of Je-ru'sa-lem; and Eg'lon, which was just north of La'chish. The people who lived in all these cities, and in the smaller towns which formed a part of each tribal territory, were noted for bravery and military skill.
   The king of Je-ru'sa-lem feared that he would be the next to be attacked by Josh'u-a, for his city and territory was nearest to the encampment of Is'ra-el at Gil'gal, and to the royal city of the Gib'eon-ites who had formed a league of peace with the Is'ra-el-ites. He sent an urgent request to the kings of all these other cities to join him in battle against the Gib'eon-ites, thinking that by conquering and occupying the cities of Gib'eon he and his allies would be in a better position to defend Je-ru'sa-lem. In asking for this alliance the king of Je-ru'sa-lem was moved by fear, and by a spirit of revenge. He felt that he was unable to defeat the Is'ra-el-ites, that the Gib'eon-ites who had allied with Is'ra-el should be punished as traitors to the cause of the heathen nations of the land, and that the best way to withstand the Is'ra-el-ites was to conquer their allies.

Story 62: Josh'u-a Conquers Southern Ca'naan; The Sun And Moon Stand Still; Thousands Killed By Hailstones l

   The news of Is'ra-el's great meeting on Mount E'bal and Mount Ger'i-zim was soon spread among the various heathen nations of Ca'naan, and they began to seek some way of acting together to keep the chosen people of God out of their land. All the heathen tribes agreed that the victories of Is'ra-el over the Am'o-rites east of the Jor'dan, and the conquest of the lands of Mid'i-an and Am'mon had been won through the favor of God upon the He'brews. They also felt that the destruction of Jer'i-cho and Ai would have been impossible without the LORD'S help. They knew that the Covenant meeting in the mountains was held for the purpose of dedicating all Is'ra-el to God, and that He had promised to give them the entire land. Their determination to fight Is'ra-el was also a rebellion against God, for in opposing His chosen people they defied His power and rule.
   Among the heathen peoples there was one tribe which was impressed by the righteous cause of Is'ra-el, and which was so greatly moved by the fear of God that they deserted the other nations and sought an alliance with Is'ra-el. These people, who were known as the Gib'eon-ites, or Hi'vites, were known to be strong and courageous, but they realized that power and bravery can avail nothing in a fight against God.
   For some reason the Gib'eon-ites did not wish to make themselves known in their offer of alliance with Is'ra-el, so they adopted a clever disguise. A group of their wisest and most able men pretended to be common laborers who had come from a distant land. Wearing old, ragged clothing, and carrying torn wine-skins and moldy bread, thay came to Josh'u-a begging for mercy.
   They professed to have faith in God, showed great respect for the miraculous power which had blessed and protected Is'ra-el, and expressed a strong desire to join the people who had been shown such favor by the LORD. They even suggested that they become servants of the Is'ra-el-ites, promising to do whatever tasks that might be given them.
   Josh'u-a was deceived by the request of the Gib'eon-ites. Without knowing who they were, he and the elders of Is'ra-el formed a league with them and agreed to spare the lives of their people. A treaty of peace was then made without seeking the advice of the LORD, and the princes of Is'ra-el gave their word to abide by it.
   Three days later the Is'ra-el-ites found out that the Gib'eon-ites were close neighbors, and that they occupied four large and important towns directly east of Is'ra-el's encampment at Gil'gal. Then the Is'ra-el-ites declared that they were no longer bount by a treaty which had been gaint by trickery, and that the lives of the Gib'eon-ites should not be spared. But Josh'u-a and the princes of Is'ra-el replied, "We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Is'ra-el; now therefore we may not touch them." The leaders of Is'ra-el felt that a solemn agreement should be kept, even though one of the parties to it has not acted in good faith.

Story 61: A'chan's Theft From God; The Defeat Of Is'ra-el At Ai lll

There is a great meaning in the fact that the mountains where this ceremony took place were exactly in the center of the land of Pal'es-tine. From Si'don, on the northern boundary, to Ka'deah-Bar'ne-a on the south; and from the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an Sea on the west to the top of the mountain range of Gil'e-ad on the eastern boundary, the mountains of E'bal and Ger'i-zim are exactly at the half-way point. The renewal of the Covenant of Is'ra-el with God at this central point, and at the beginning of the conquest of Ca'naan, was a sign that the children of Is'ra-el would finally take possession of the entire land. It was also a sign of complete obedience to the Laws of God in every part of the land which He had given them.
   For many centuries after this wonderful ceremony the vicinity of these two holy mountains was the chief place of worship for the children of Is'ra-el. It was at Shi'loh that the Ark of the Cov'e-nant rested for a long period. The prophets of later times often spoke of the sacrifices offered in this neighborhood. Even in the closing years of the He'brew monarchy the history, tales, and legends associated with Mount Ger'i-zim competed in glory with those of Je-ru'sa-lem. In the days of our Sav'ior upon earth, the woman of Sa-ma'ri-a, said "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain."
   After the close of the ceremonies on Mount E'bal and Mount Ger'i-zim, which probably lasted for several days, the Is'ra-el-ites returnt to their encampment at Gil'gal. Josh'u-a continued his preparations for further combat with the heathen tribes which then occupied various parts of Ca'naan, and for the conquest of the entire land in the name of the LORD.

Story 61: A'chan's Theft From God; The Defeat Of Is'ra-el At Ai ll

   When the finger of God pointed him out as the guilty one, A'chan frankly confessed his sin at once. He said, "I have sinned against the LORD, and my guilt has been discovered before Is'ra-el. I stole a royal garment woven entirely of gold, an ingot of gold shaped like a wedge, and several pieces of silver. All these are hidden in my tent."
   Josh'u-a sent men to search the tent, and there they found all the articles mentioned by A'chan. The value of the silver and gold was between seven and eight hundred dollars, and the royal garment was probably worth even more. A'chan had really stolen from the LORD, for it had been commanded that everything taken in Jer'i-cho should be consecrated to His service.
   All the members of A'chan's family had known of his theft, and had probably aided him in hiding the stolen goods. For this reason they all received the same punishment as A'chan: they were stoned to death, and their bodies were burnt. The place where they were put to death was called A'chor, which means "trouble," and it was marked with a pillar of stones as a warning to all future generations.
   All Is'ra-el now knew that the disgraceful defeat at Ai had not been caused by the superior strength of the enemy, but by the sin of A'chan. A golden wedge sinfully hidden in the camp of Is'ra-el was more to blame for their defeat than the many swords of the warriors of a heathen city.
   Greatly encouraged by a special message from the LORD, Josh'u-a now planned a new attack upon the city of Ai. Soldiers were placed in strongholds at different points around the city, and the men of Ai were tempted to come out for battle. While these men were pursuing one group of He'brew soldiers, another group entered the city and set fire to it. The armies of Is'ra-el then turnt against the men of Ai in a great battle, and slew every one of them. The king was captured, and was later hanged upon a tree.
   Under special permission granted by the LORD, all the cattle, sheep, and other property captured in the city of Ai were given to the soldiers who had take part in the attack.
   After the destruction of Ai, the children of Is'ra-el continued their march across the mountains of central Ca'naan until they came to a place near the ancient city of She'chem. Here Josh'u-a built an altar of stones, and offered burnt sacrifices to God. All the children of Is'ra-el took part in the prolonged service of consecration which was then held.
   At the high place where the Is'ra-el-ites gathered for this service two high mountains faced one another, with a narrow depression between them. The mountain to the north was called Mount E'bal, and the one to the south was called Mount Ger'i-zim. Josh'u-a divided the tribes of Is'ra-el into two groups, placing six tribes on Mount E'bal, and the other six on Mount Ger'i-zim. He then read to the assembled Is'ra-el-ites the Laws which had been given to Mo'ses. When he read the warnings of God against disobedience, and related the judgments to be imposed upon those who failed to keep God's Law, the children of Is'ra-el who stood on the slopes of Mount E'bal shouted, "Amen!" Then he read the promises and words of blessing for those who obeyed the Laws of God, and the Is'ra-el-ites upon Mount Ger'i-zim also joined in saying "Amen!"
  

Story 61: A'chan's Theft From God; The Defeat Of Is'ra-el At Ai l

   The next place which Josh'u-a planned to capture was a town of the Am'o-rites called Ai. It was situated about twenty miles northeast of Jer'i-cho on the main road leading to the mountainous regions of the interior of Ca'naan. Ai was not fortified like Jer'i-cho, but it was the home of about twelve thousand people, and it must be taken before an attack could be made upon other towns in the district.
   Spies were sent to inspect the defenses of Ai, and to find the best way of attacking the town. They soon informed Josh'u-a that there would be no need of sending a large force against it. For this reason only three thousand men were sent to take the town. The men of Ai met this small force of Is'ra-el-ites in battle, and inflicted a crushing defeat upon them. Many of the Is'ra-el-ites were slain, others were captured, and the rest were driven back to their camp.
   When the news of this defeat spread through the camps of Is'ra-el the people were struck with terror. Josh'u-a was disappointed and sore at heart. He said, "Is-ra-el has been humiliated before the Ca'naan-ites and A'o-rites, and they will scorn our efforts to take this land." He and the elders of Is'ra-el gathered in the Sanctuary of the LORD for prayer. They tore their clothing and threw dust upon their heads, for in those days these were the signs of great mourning. Josh'u-a cried to the LORD, "What shall we do when the children of Is'ra-el turn their backs before their enemies?"
   The LORD appeared to Josh'u-a and told him that Is'ra-el's defeat was not because of the strength of their enemies, but because of weakness which had been caused by sin. "Someone among the Is'ra-el-ites," said the LORD, "has taken of the spoils of the conquest of Jer'i-cho which should have been consecrated to the LORD, and has used it for himself." Then he added, "No victory for Is'ra-el is possible until the thief has been found and punished."
   The LORD knew who the guilty man was, but He wished Josh'u-a to point him out before the Is'ra-el-ites in such a way that everyone in the camp would be convinced of his guilt. There must be no doubt in the mind of anyone as to the cause of Is'ra-el's defeat at Ai. The criminal himself must be made to realize the terrible wrong which he had committed, and to confess that his punishment was just.
   It is not clear exactly how the guilty man was found, but we know that the discovery was made by casting lots. It was learnt that the criminal was a member of the tribe of Ju'dah, that he was a descendant of Za'rah, who was one of the five sons of Ju'dah; that he was a member of the household of Zab'di (also called Zim'ri,) and that he was a son of Car'mi. At last the lot fell upon A'chan. Thus the finding of the criminal was marked with terrible certainty, for the LORD had directed the entire process.

Story 60: The Dividing Of The Waters Of Jor'dan, And The Collapse Of The Walls Of Jer'i-cho lll

   After marching around the city once each day for six days, they made the circuit in a similar manner seven times on the seventh day. At the conclusion of the final march around the city, the entire army stood at attention while the trumpeters blew a long blast. Then all the people lifted their voices in one great shout. At once the foundations beneath the wall sank deep into the ground, and the walls crumbled into a flat mass of stone over which the Is'ra-el-ites could easily pass into the city.
   The strange plan of attack was completely successful; the army of Is'ra-el marched over the fallen walls into the city, the entire population was slain, and enormous spoils of war were taken. The city of Jer'i-cho was burnt to the ground, and Josh'u-a pronounced a special curse upon any person who should ever undertake to rebuild it on the same site. Many years later another city in that vicinity was called Jer'i-cho, but it was on a different site than the one which was utterly destroyed by Josh'u-a.
   Before the walls of Jer'i-cho were overthrown, Josh'u-a sent men to rescue Ra'hab and her family from the house in which she had sheltered his two spies. They were put in a safe place outside the camp of Is'ra-el until they had received the ceremonies of purification and adoption by which people who were not Is'ra-el-ites were admitted to the chosen race.
   Josh'u-a directed that all the gold and silver and other valuables captured in Jer'i-cho be dedicated to the LORD, and solemnly warned every man against taking anything for himself. One man disobeyed this order, and we shall learn of his punishment in our next story.
   In the strange manner in which the city of Jer'i-cho was overthrown the LORD required the trustful, obedient, and laborious service of His people, thereby showing that it is the power of God which brings victory in all the works of His Kingdom, The LORD not only conquered the Ca'naan-ites, but won the hearts of Is'ra-el unto Him in faith and love. The destruction of the people of Jer'i-cho, apparently cruel and vindictive, is an example of God's judgments against idolatry and wickedness.