What sacred memories cling to that section of the river Jor'dan! Five hundred and fifty years after the parting of the waters for the passage of Is'ra-el they were again divided. The waters parted for E-li'jah and E-li'sha just before E-li'jah was carried to Heaven in a fiery chariot, and again for E-li'sha as he journeyed back to his work on the west side of the river. Then, many hundreds of years later, the Sav'ior was Baptized somewhere within this vicinity.
After the two stone memorials had been erected, the Is'ra-el-ites moved to a place called Gil'gal, about six miles west of the river, and within a mile of the city of Jer'i-cho. Here the Tabernacle was erected, and the tents of Is'ra-el were set up in the usual order. Gil'gal was to be the camping place of Is'ra-el for many months.
On the fourteenth day of the month, just four days after the crossing of the Jor'dan, the Pass'o-ver was celebrated in all the camps of Is'ra-el. This was the third time that Is'ra-el engaged in the Pass'o-ver feast, the first time in E'gypt, and the second at Si'nai. It had been neglected for thirty-nine years in the wilderness while Is'ra-el was living in disobedience to the Covenant which they violated by not entering Ca'naan when at Ka'desh-Bar'ne-a the first time.
The harvest season was at hand when Is'ra-el began the conquest of Ca'naan. The people went into the fields, and vineyards, and orchards to gather food, and this marked the end of the manna. For thirty-nine years this food had fallen from Heaven, but now it was no longer needed.
In the course of his preparations for an attack upon Jer'i-cho, Josh'u-a walked around the walls of the city on a tour of inspection. He was met by a Heavenly Messenger who appeared to be an Angel, but who in reality was the Son of God, who many centuries later came into the world as a Sa'vior for all mankind. The same Divine Personage had appeared to Ja'cob hundreds of years before at the ford of Jab'bok, and to Mo'ses in the burning bush in the wilderness. He came to strengthen the faith of Josh'u-a, and to give him courage for the battles which lay just ahead.
In His appearance to Josh'u-a He called Himself "Captain of the Host of the LORD," suggesting that His presence made Holy the ground on which they stood, and advising him that Jer'i-cho would be conquered through the power of the LORD. Josh'u-a bowed before Him with great reverence, and humbly accepted the solemn charge placed upon him.
All the Ca'naan-ites and Am'o-rites living west of the Jor'dan had been smitten with terror by the sight of the great Host of the Is'ra-el-ites. They had heard of the conquest east of the Jor'dan, and their hearts melted with fear and cowardice as they thought of the power which God gave to His chosen people. The gates of Jer'i-cho had been closed, and no one was permitted to go out. There seemed to be no thought of attacking the Is'ra-el-ites, who were encamped just one mile away.
Is'ra-el's plan of attack against this walled and strongly fortified city was very strange, yet its results were truly miraculous. More than five hundred thousand soldiers marched silently around the outer walls of the city once a day for six days in succession. The Ark of the Cov'e-nant was carried by the priests in the front section of this great army. In the vanguard were picked soldiers, probably the forty thousand men of the tribes of Reu'ben, Gad, and Ma-nas'seh. They marched ahead of the priests who bore the Ark, while the rest of the army marched behind it. Seven priests marched before the Ark, each of them carrying a trumpet, and they all blew upon the trumpets as a signal for the march.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Story 60: The Dividing Of The Waters Of Jor'dan, And The Collapse Of The Walls Of Jer'i-cho l
After hearing the report of the two men who had spied upon Jer'i-cho, Josh'u-a directed the children of Is'ra-el to prepare for an immediate removal to the banks of the Jor'dan. The people took down their tents and rolled them up, then gathered their flocks and herds for the march. The priests took down the Tabernacle, and prepared it for removal. The furnishings and holy vessels of the Tabernacle were also packed in such a way that it would be easy to carry them. The Ark of the Cov'e-nant was covered with curtains, and two staves were run through the golden rings on each side so that it could be carried by the priests.
Josh'u-a gave orders that those who carried the Ark were to march in front of Is'ra-el, being careful to remain about half a mile ahead. The people were warned not to come any nearer to the Ark than that.
Josh'u-a then told the people to dedicate themselves anew to the LORD, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." On the next morning he directed the priests to take the Ark of the Cov'e-nant upon their shoulders and to march down into the waters of the Jor'dan. The people were to follow, carefully observing the rules already given.
As the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the waters of the Jor'dan, a very miraculous thing took place. The fast running currents of the river were suddenly stopped and piled up like a wall clear across the river, while the waters in front ran swiftly on toward the Dead Sea. In a little while there stretched across the entire Jor'dan river-bed a vast, dry highway, the waters to the north forming a great wall held back by an invisible dam.
The priests who were bearing the Ark moved out into the center of the river-bed, then waited there until the entire host of Is'ra-el had crossed to the other side. Only the women and children of the tribes of Reu'ben, Gad, and Ma-nas'seh, with about seventy thousand men who had been left to protect them and to help in caring for the cattle and sheep, remained on the east side of the Jor'dan.
What a startling sight the He'brews must have presented to the Ca'naan-ites on the west side of the river! Nearly five hundred and fifty thousand soldiers armed for battle, about two million women and children, and countless thousands of sheep and cattle moved in one continuous caravan across the Divinely prepared highway for more than eight hours.
After they all had reacht the west side of the river, Josh'u-a ordered twelve men, one from each tribe of Is'ra-el, to gather twelve large stones from the river-bed where the priests had stood with the Ark. With these stones he set up a monument which was to remind Is'ra-el at all times of the power of God in providing a way for them to cross the Jor'dan. A second memorial for the same purpose was built in the river where the priests had stood with the Ark. Then the waters of the river began to flow rapidly toward the Dead Sea, just as they had before the miracle took place.
Josh'u-a gave orders that those who carried the Ark were to march in front of Is'ra-el, being careful to remain about half a mile ahead. The people were warned not to come any nearer to the Ark than that.
Josh'u-a then told the people to dedicate themselves anew to the LORD, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." On the next morning he directed the priests to take the Ark of the Cov'e-nant upon their shoulders and to march down into the waters of the Jor'dan. The people were to follow, carefully observing the rules already given.
As the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the waters of the Jor'dan, a very miraculous thing took place. The fast running currents of the river were suddenly stopped and piled up like a wall clear across the river, while the waters in front ran swiftly on toward the Dead Sea. In a little while there stretched across the entire Jor'dan river-bed a vast, dry highway, the waters to the north forming a great wall held back by an invisible dam.
The priests who were bearing the Ark moved out into the center of the river-bed, then waited there until the entire host of Is'ra-el had crossed to the other side. Only the women and children of the tribes of Reu'ben, Gad, and Ma-nas'seh, with about seventy thousand men who had been left to protect them and to help in caring for the cattle and sheep, remained on the east side of the Jor'dan.
What a startling sight the He'brews must have presented to the Ca'naan-ites on the west side of the river! Nearly five hundred and fifty thousand soldiers armed for battle, about two million women and children, and countless thousands of sheep and cattle moved in one continuous caravan across the Divinely prepared highway for more than eight hours.
After they all had reacht the west side of the river, Josh'u-a ordered twelve men, one from each tribe of Is'ra-el, to gather twelve large stones from the river-bed where the priests had stood with the Ark. With these stones he set up a monument which was to remind Is'ra-el at all times of the power of God in providing a way for them to cross the Jor'dan. A second memorial for the same purpose was built in the river where the priests had stood with the Ark. Then the waters of the river began to flow rapidly toward the Dead Sea, just as they had before the miracle took place.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Story 59: Josh'u-a's Preparations For The Conquest Of Ca'naan lll
The spies knew that she had saved their lives, and recognized her faith in God, so they promised that no harm would come to her or any member of her family when the city was captured by Is'ra-el. Then they took a cord of deep scarlet color and said, "When our men come to take the city, hang this cord from the window of your house. We pledge our lives that no one will be harmed in the building from which there hangs this scarlet cord."
Ra'hab's house was built on top of a wall of Jer-i'cho, and was a part of the fortifications. It was built of huge basalt rocks, with walls three or four feet thick. She hung a rope from one of the windows outside of the wall, and the two men climbed down the rope and made their way back to the river. Then they swam across the Jor'dan again and arrived safely at the camp of Is'ra-el. They told Josh'u-a how frightened the people were in Jer-i'cho, and said, "Surely the LORD has given us this land, and the people dare not oppose us."
Later, when the Is'ra-el-ites captured the city of Jer-i'cho and destroyed all its people, Ra'hab and her family were spared. She turnt fully to the He'brew religion, married one of the princes of the tribe of Ju'dah, thereby becoming an ancestor of the Savior. She is mentioned with honor in the New Testament.
Ra'hab's house was built on top of a wall of Jer-i'cho, and was a part of the fortifications. It was built of huge basalt rocks, with walls three or four feet thick. She hung a rope from one of the windows outside of the wall, and the two men climbed down the rope and made their way back to the river. Then they swam across the Jor'dan again and arrived safely at the camp of Is'ra-el. They told Josh'u-a how frightened the people were in Jer-i'cho, and said, "Surely the LORD has given us this land, and the people dare not oppose us."
Later, when the Is'ra-el-ites captured the city of Jer-i'cho and destroyed all its people, Ra'hab and her family were spared. She turnt fully to the He'brew religion, married one of the princes of the tribe of Ju'dah, thereby becoming an ancestor of the Savior. She is mentioned with honor in the New Testament.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Story 59: Josh'u-a's Preparations For The Conquest Of Ca'naan ll
After receiving full directions from the LORD for the immediate conquest of Ca'naan, Josh'u-a sent officers through the camps of Is'ra-el to prepare the people for this new venture. "Within three days," said Josh'u-a, "we shall begin our march against the Ca'naan-ites. Prepare yourselves to cross Jor'dan, and take possession of the land which God has given us." He reminded the members of the tribes of Reu'ben and Gad that the agreement which they had made with Mo'ses must be faithfully kept, and they responded heartily to his order for all the men to join in this march.
It took great courage to cross the river Jor'dan, which separated the Is'ra-el-ites from Ca'naan, for it was a swift stream without bridges or fords. The low lands on either side were narrow, only three to five miles at the widest points. Back of these low lands, on the west side, the hills and mountains rose almost perpendicularly to great heights. At the season when Josh'u-a gave the order for crossing, the narrow banks of the river were flooded by waters from the snow-capped mountains in the north and by rain from the mountains on both sides. The Is'ra-el-ites had no boats to use in crossing this wide, dangerous river, but they had faith that God would help them to carry out the orders of Josh'u-a.
Looking across the Jor'dan from the camp of Is'ra-el, they could see Jer-i'cho, a strongly walled and fortified city of one of the tribes of Ca'naan.
Josh'u-a thought it wise to send two brave, reliable men across the river to spy upon Jer-i'cho. They were to study the city carefully, noting its fortifications and points of weakness, and looking for safe ways of approaching the city. They were also expected to mingle with the people, and to find out whether they were terrified by the possibility of an attack by the Is'ra-el-ites, or whether they were confident that they could defend themselves.
Two men chosen by Josh'u-a swam across the Jor'dan, and thoroughly inspected the surroundings and walls of Jer-i'cho. Then they entered the city to examine its defenses, but were discovered and pursued by officers. They sought refuge in the home of a woman named Ra'hab, and she hid them on top of her flat-roofed house, covering them with stalks of flax. When the officers searched the house of Ra'hab they were unable to find the two Is'ra-el-ites, and reported to the king that they had escaped from the city.
Ra'hab evidently knew something about the miraculous dealings of God with the enemies of Is'ra-el, and how He had delivered the Is'ra-el-ites from bondage in E'gypt. She is said to have hidden these spies because of her faith, even though she may have been superstitious and afraid. After the officers had given up their search of her home, she said to the Is'ra-el-ites,
"The people of this city know that your God is mighty, and that He has given you this land. They have heard of His mighty works for you, and are in a state of terror at the thought of your coming into the land. I believe in you God, and would like to serve Him. I beg you to spare my life, and that of my father and mother and brothers and sisters, when you take Jer-i'cho."
It took great courage to cross the river Jor'dan, which separated the Is'ra-el-ites from Ca'naan, for it was a swift stream without bridges or fords. The low lands on either side were narrow, only three to five miles at the widest points. Back of these low lands, on the west side, the hills and mountains rose almost perpendicularly to great heights. At the season when Josh'u-a gave the order for crossing, the narrow banks of the river were flooded by waters from the snow-capped mountains in the north and by rain from the mountains on both sides. The Is'ra-el-ites had no boats to use in crossing this wide, dangerous river, but they had faith that God would help them to carry out the orders of Josh'u-a.
Looking across the Jor'dan from the camp of Is'ra-el, they could see Jer-i'cho, a strongly walled and fortified city of one of the tribes of Ca'naan.
Josh'u-a thought it wise to send two brave, reliable men across the river to spy upon Jer-i'cho. They were to study the city carefully, noting its fortifications and points of weakness, and looking for safe ways of approaching the city. They were also expected to mingle with the people, and to find out whether they were terrified by the possibility of an attack by the Is'ra-el-ites, or whether they were confident that they could defend themselves.
Two men chosen by Josh'u-a swam across the Jor'dan, and thoroughly inspected the surroundings and walls of Jer-i'cho. Then they entered the city to examine its defenses, but were discovered and pursued by officers. They sought refuge in the home of a woman named Ra'hab, and she hid them on top of her flat-roofed house, covering them with stalks of flax. When the officers searched the house of Ra'hab they were unable to find the two Is'ra-el-ites, and reported to the king that they had escaped from the city.
Ra'hab evidently knew something about the miraculous dealings of God with the enemies of Is'ra-el, and how He had delivered the Is'ra-el-ites from bondage in E'gypt. She is said to have hidden these spies because of her faith, even though she may have been superstitious and afraid. After the officers had given up their search of her home, she said to the Is'ra-el-ites,
"The people of this city know that your God is mighty, and that He has given you this land. They have heard of His mighty works for you, and are in a state of terror at the thought of your coming into the land. I believe in you God, and would like to serve Him. I beg you to spare my life, and that of my father and mother and brothers and sisters, when you take Jer-i'cho."
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Story 59: Josh'u-a's Preparations For The Conquest Of Ca'naan l
We have already learnt many times over in these stories that God sometimes uses man to carry out His plans, but is never dependent upon any one man. When Mo'ses died, Josh'u-a was already prepared to take his place, and to carry forward the conquest of Ca'naan by the Is'ra-el-ites.
And so, after the death of Mo'ses, the Is'ra-el-ites were still encamped on the east side of the Jor'dan, the LORD appeared to Josh'u-a with a stirring message. He was commanded to lead the children of Is'ra-el across the Jor'dan at once, and to conquer the land which had been promised to their fathers.
The LORD then outlined to Josh'u-a the extent of the land which had been set aside for Is'ra-el. From north to south, it was to begin in the regions of the great river Eu-phra'tes, reaching down to the borders of the land of E'dom and Mo'ab, looking toward E'gypt. From east to west, it was to extend from the great Syr'i-an desert to the shores of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an Sea. all this territory, with its many types of soil and vegetation, its beautiful mountains and fertile plains and valleys, its rivers and lakes, its wide forests and unlimited natural resources, was to be conquered as the permanent home for a great nation.
The entire area, except that part east of the Jor'dan which had already been taken from the Am'o-rites, Am'mon-ites, and Mid'i-an-ites, was then held by various heathen tribes. It was not held by one united people, nor ruled by one king; there were many small nations occupying different sections of the country, each of them ruled by its own king. In most cases, the capital of these small tribes would be in a fortified town or city, with the surrounding territory used for farming or stock-raising. These tribal nations were often engaged in wars among themselves. The task of conquering the land was therefore much easier, since there was no probability of united opposition from the various tribes which hated one another.
The LORD not only commanded Josh'u-a to conquer the entire land of Ca'naan, but assured him of His presence. He urged him to be strong and of good courage, and to have confidence of victory and success. The laws given by Mo'ses were to be read constantly, and to be carefully obeyed by Josh'u-a and the people. The duties of religion must never be neglected. The LORD cautioned Josh'u-a that he and all Is'ra-el must maintain loyal to God and to His teachings, and that true religion must always hold a central place in the national life of the country.
The war which Josh'u-a was commanded to wage against the heathen tribes of Ca'naan was to be one of extermination. These people who had defied God, worshiped false gods and idols, who were given over to the lowest forms of wickedness, and for whom there was no hope of civilization or moral reform, were to be completely destroyed. Such was the will of God, and such were the orders given to Josh'u-a and to all Is'ra-el. Any failure to carry out these instructions would result in punishment from God and great trouble for Is'ra-el.
And so, after the death of Mo'ses, the Is'ra-el-ites were still encamped on the east side of the Jor'dan, the LORD appeared to Josh'u-a with a stirring message. He was commanded to lead the children of Is'ra-el across the Jor'dan at once, and to conquer the land which had been promised to their fathers.
The LORD then outlined to Josh'u-a the extent of the land which had been set aside for Is'ra-el. From north to south, it was to begin in the regions of the great river Eu-phra'tes, reaching down to the borders of the land of E'dom and Mo'ab, looking toward E'gypt. From east to west, it was to extend from the great Syr'i-an desert to the shores of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an Sea. all this territory, with its many types of soil and vegetation, its beautiful mountains and fertile plains and valleys, its rivers and lakes, its wide forests and unlimited natural resources, was to be conquered as the permanent home for a great nation.
The entire area, except that part east of the Jor'dan which had already been taken from the Am'o-rites, Am'mon-ites, and Mid'i-an-ites, was then held by various heathen tribes. It was not held by one united people, nor ruled by one king; there were many small nations occupying different sections of the country, each of them ruled by its own king. In most cases, the capital of these small tribes would be in a fortified town or city, with the surrounding territory used for farming or stock-raising. These tribal nations were often engaged in wars among themselves. The task of conquering the land was therefore much easier, since there was no probability of united opposition from the various tribes which hated one another.
The LORD not only commanded Josh'u-a to conquer the entire land of Ca'naan, but assured him of His presence. He urged him to be strong and of good courage, and to have confidence of victory and success. The laws given by Mo'ses were to be read constantly, and to be carefully obeyed by Josh'u-a and the people. The duties of religion must never be neglected. The LORD cautioned Josh'u-a that he and all Is'ra-el must maintain loyal to God and to His teachings, and that true religion must always hold a central place in the national life of the country.
The war which Josh'u-a was commanded to wage against the heathen tribes of Ca'naan was to be one of extermination. These people who had defied God, worshiped false gods and idols, who were given over to the lowest forms of wickedness, and for whom there was no hope of civilization or moral reform, were to be completely destroyed. Such was the will of God, and such were the orders given to Josh'u-a and to all Is'ra-el. Any failure to carry out these instructions would result in punishment from God and great trouble for Is'ra-el.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Story 58: Josh'u-a Appointed To Succeed Mo'ses; The Death Of Mo'ses ll
When Mo'ses reached the top of the mountain he looked down upon the lands east of the Jor'dan which had been conquered and then allotted to the tribes of Reu'ben and Gad. Lifting his eyes far to the north, he gazed with joy upon the land of Gil'e-ad, which was now held by Ma-nas'seh. Turning to the west, he saw the deep torrents of the Jor'dan as its waters rushed into the Dead Sea just south of his gaze. Far out over the western horizon he beheld the hills, mountains, and valleys of the Promised Land soon to be conquered by Is'ra-el under the leadership of Josh'u-a. Stretching his sight to the blue waters of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an still further toward the sunlight, the fertile plains of the western shore brought a glow of joy to his heart.
What a glorious spot for a man of Mo'ses character and career to make his journey into the glories of the world beyond! Surely, no such glorious scenes have ever passed before the dying eyes of another man. The entire landscape of the Promised Land swept before his eyes as he went up into the presence of God. He had once ascended Si'nai to commune with Je-ho'vah, to receive from Him comfort and strength and a renewed commission of service; now he ascends Ho'reb to die. Not an untimely death, for he knew how to die as he had known how to live.
There was yet another glorious scene passing before the dying vision of this saintly man which must have greatly cheered his heart. On the plains of Mo'ab his eyes turnt to his people Is'ra-el; three million souls compacted into a powerful community, united in spirit and in purpose, ready to cross Jor'dan at the word of the LORD, and armed for the conquest of the Promised Land. This Mo'ses realized that his work would go on.
It is said that Mo'ses was buried by the LORD, and that no man has ever known the last resting place of his body. May it not be that if it was left there on top of Mount Ne'bo at all, it was only for a short time? Is it too much to believe that, like E-li'jah in later history, and like E'noch in times before, Mo'ses was carried bodily into Heaven? Did he not appear in transfigured glory when two Heavenly visitors talked with Je'sus as He was transfigured before three apostles on another mountain?
What a glorious spot for a man of Mo'ses character and career to make his journey into the glories of the world beyond! Surely, no such glorious scenes have ever passed before the dying eyes of another man. The entire landscape of the Promised Land swept before his eyes as he went up into the presence of God. He had once ascended Si'nai to commune with Je-ho'vah, to receive from Him comfort and strength and a renewed commission of service; now he ascends Ho'reb to die. Not an untimely death, for he knew how to die as he had known how to live.
There was yet another glorious scene passing before the dying vision of this saintly man which must have greatly cheered his heart. On the plains of Mo'ab his eyes turnt to his people Is'ra-el; three million souls compacted into a powerful community, united in spirit and in purpose, ready to cross Jor'dan at the word of the LORD, and armed for the conquest of the Promised Land. This Mo'ses realized that his work would go on.
It is said that Mo'ses was buried by the LORD, and that no man has ever known the last resting place of his body. May it not be that if it was left there on top of Mount Ne'bo at all, it was only for a short time? Is it too much to believe that, like E-li'jah in later history, and like E'noch in times before, Mo'ses was carried bodily into Heaven? Did he not appear in transfigured glory when two Heavenly visitors talked with Je'sus as He was transfigured before three apostles on another mountain?
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Story 58: Josh'u-a Appointed To Succeed Mo'ses; The Death Of Mo'ses l
While Is'ra-el was encamped at A'bel-Shit'tim, and just before the death of Mo'ses, the LORD directed Mo'ses and Josh'u-a to enter the Tabernacle for a special message. In the sanctuary of the LORD arrangements were made for the departure of Mo'ses, and for the appointment of Josh'u-a as his successor. Mo'ses already knew that he would not be permitted to enter Ca'naan, and he received with perfect calmness the LORD'S announcement of his approaching death. He was now one hundred and twenty years of age, but robust in health, full of vigor, and his eyesight undimmed. But the appointed hour for his death was at hand, and he accepted it with the same faith which had marked his entire career. His work was finished, and he was ready to go. There was nothing for him to fear as the future peace and happiness of his soul was concerned. His only thought was for the future security and prosperity of Is'ra-el.
Mo'ses did not seek the appointment of a successor from his own family; he asked the LORD to make the choice. When the LORD appointed Josh'u-a as his successor, Mo'ses gladly gave his approval, and prayed that Josh'u-a would be anointed with Divine courage and strength for the very trying work to which he was called.
Josh'u-a was well qualified for the responsible position to which he was Divinely appointed. He had been closely associated with Mo'ses throughout the period since Is'ra-el was delivered from E'gypt, and had loyally served as his minister. At Si'nai he had been chosen to accompany Mo'ses to the Holy Mountain, and had faithfully waited for him during the forty days in which he was alone with God. It was his heroic leadership which had brought victory to Is'ra-el in the war with Am'a-lek-ites, and he was one of the two spies who reported that Is'ra-el was able to possess the land of Ca'naan when they first stood on the border at Ka'desh-Bar'ne-a. It was under his leadership that the heathen tribes east of the Jor'dan had been conquered.
Josh'u-a was officially placed in office by the priestly services of anointing and the laying on of hands. The people accepted his Divine appointment, and publicly declared to be the successor of Mo'ses. He was solemnly charged with the duties of his office, and given strength by the assurance of God's presence with him. Success in the conquest of Ca'naan and in the settlement of Is'ra-el in that land which was promised by the LORD.
Not far from the place where Is'ra-el was encamped on the plains of Mo'ab there rose high into the heavens a series of mountain ranges. One of the highest points among these ranges was called Ne'bo. From this high peak one may look out over much of the entire land of Ca'naan.
The LORD directed Mo'ses to ascend this mountain alone. With stately step, fearing not, confident of the rest which awaited him, and fully surrendered to the will of God, Mo'ses walked out from the camp of Is'ra-el and climbed to the top of Mount Ne'bo. The Is'ra-el-ites watched him with sorrow, for he had told them that he was going into the mount never to return.
Mo'ses did not seek the appointment of a successor from his own family; he asked the LORD to make the choice. When the LORD appointed Josh'u-a as his successor, Mo'ses gladly gave his approval, and prayed that Josh'u-a would be anointed with Divine courage and strength for the very trying work to which he was called.
Josh'u-a was well qualified for the responsible position to which he was Divinely appointed. He had been closely associated with Mo'ses throughout the period since Is'ra-el was delivered from E'gypt, and had loyally served as his minister. At Si'nai he had been chosen to accompany Mo'ses to the Holy Mountain, and had faithfully waited for him during the forty days in which he was alone with God. It was his heroic leadership which had brought victory to Is'ra-el in the war with Am'a-lek-ites, and he was one of the two spies who reported that Is'ra-el was able to possess the land of Ca'naan when they first stood on the border at Ka'desh-Bar'ne-a. It was under his leadership that the heathen tribes east of the Jor'dan had been conquered.
Josh'u-a was officially placed in office by the priestly services of anointing and the laying on of hands. The people accepted his Divine appointment, and publicly declared to be the successor of Mo'ses. He was solemnly charged with the duties of his office, and given strength by the assurance of God's presence with him. Success in the conquest of Ca'naan and in the settlement of Is'ra-el in that land which was promised by the LORD.
Not far from the place where Is'ra-el was encamped on the plains of Mo'ab there rose high into the heavens a series of mountain ranges. One of the highest points among these ranges was called Ne'bo. From this high peak one may look out over much of the entire land of Ca'naan.
The LORD directed Mo'ses to ascend this mountain alone. With stately step, fearing not, confident of the rest which awaited him, and fully surrendered to the will of God, Mo'ses walked out from the camp of Is'ra-el and climbed to the top of Mount Ne'bo. The Is'ra-el-ites watched him with sorrow, for he had told them that he was going into the mount never to return.
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