patriarchs and prophets-第124章
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had come under the dominion of Satan。 The archtraitor reiterated the
original charges that he had made against the divine government; and
repeated his complaints of God's injustice toward him。
Christ did not stoop to enter into controversy with Satan。 He might have
brought against him the cruel work which his deceptions had wrought in
heaven; causing the ruin of a vast number of its inhabitants。 He might have
pointed to the falsehoods told
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in Eden; that had led to Adam's sin and brought death upon the human race。
He might have reminded Satan that it was his own work in tempting Israel to
murmuring and rebellion; which had wearied the long…suffering patience of
their leader; and in an unguarded moment had surprised him into the sin for
which he had fallen under the power of death。 But Christ referred all to His
Father; saying; 〃The Lord rebuke thee。〃 Jude 9。 The Saviour entered into no
dispute with His adversary; but He then and there began His work of breaking
the power of the fallen foe; and bringing the dead to life。 Here was an
evidence that Satan could not controvert; of the supremacy of the Son of
God。 The resurrection was forever made certain。 Satan was despoiled of his
prey; the righteous dead would live again。
In consequence of sin Moses had come under the power of Satan。 In his own
merits he was death's lawful captive; but he was raised to immortal life;
holding his title in the name of the Redeemer。 Moses came forth from the
tomb glorified; and ascended with his Deliverer to the City of God。
Never; till exemplified in the sacrifice of Christ; were the justice and the
love of God more strikingly displayed than in His dealings with Moses。 God
shut Moses out of Canaan; to teach a lesson which should never be
forgottenthat He requires exact obedience; and that men are to beware of
taking to themselves the glory which is due to their Maker。 He could not
grant the prayer of Moses that he might share the inheritance of Israel; but
He did not forget or forsake His servant。 The God of heaven understood the
suffering that Moses had endured; He had noted every act of faithful service
through those long years of conflict and trial。 On the top of Pisgah; God
called Moses to an inheritance infinitely more glorious than the earthly
Canaan。
Upon the mount of transfiguration Moses was present with Elijah; who had
been translated。 They were sent as bearers of light and glory from the
Father to His Son。 And thus the prayer of Moses; uttered so many centuries
before; was at last fulfilled。 He stood upon the 〃goodly mountain;〃 within
the heritage of his people; bearing witness to Him in whom all the promises
to Israel centered。 Such is the last scene revealed to mortal vision in the
history of that man so highly honored of Heaven。
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Moses was a type of Christ。 He himself had declared to Israel; 〃The Lord thy
God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee; of thy
brethren; like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken。〃 Deuteronomy 18:15。 God
saw fit to discipline Moses in the school of affliction and poverty before
he could be prepared to lead the hosts of Israel to the earthly Canaan。 The
Israel of God; journeying to the heavenly Canaan; have a Captain who needed
no human teaching to prepare Him for His mission as a divine leader; yet He
was made perfect through sufferings; and 〃in that He Himself hath suffered
being tempted; He is able to succor them that are tempted。〃 Hebrews 2:10;
18。 Our Redeemer manifested no human weakness or imperfection; yet He died
to obtain for us an entrance into the Promised Land。
〃And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant; for a
testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son
over His own house; whose house are we; if we hold fast the confidence and
the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end。〃 Hebrews 3:5; 6。
(481)
Chapter 44
Crossing the Jordan
The Israelites deeply mourned for their departed leader; and thirty days
were devoted to special services in honor of his memory。 Never till he was
taken from them had they so fully realized the value of his wise counsels;
his parental tenderness; and his unswerving faith。 With a new and deeper
appreciation they recalled the precious lessons he had given while still
with them。
Moses was dead; but his influence did not die with him。 It was to live on;
reproducing itself in the hearts of his people。 The memory of that holy;
unselfish life would long be cherished; with silent; persuasive power
molding the lives even of those who had neglected his living words。 As the
glow of the descending sun lights up the mountain peaks long after the sun
itself has sunk behind the hills; so the works of the pure; the holy; and
the good shed light upon the world long after the actors themselves have
passed away。 Their works; their words; their example; will forever live。
〃The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance。〃 Psalm 112:6。
While they were filled with grief at their great loss; the people knew that
they were not left alone。 The pillar of cloud rested over the tabernacle by
day; and the pillar of fire by night; an assurance that God would still be
their guide and helper if they would walk in the way of His commandments。
Joshua was now the acknowledged leader of Israel。 He had been known chiefly
as a warrior; and his gifts and virtues were especially valuable at this
stage in the history of his people。 Courageous; resolute; and persevering;
prompt; incorruptible; unmindful of selfish interests in his care for those
committed to his charge; and; above all; inspired by a living faith in God
such was the character of the man divinely chosen to conduct the armies of
Israel in their entrance upon the Promised Land。 During the sojourn in the
wilderness he had acted as prime minister
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to Moses; and by his quiet; unpretending fidelity; his steadfastness when
others wavered; his firmness to maintain the truth in the midst of danger;
he had given evidence of his fitness to succeed Moses; even before he was
called to the position by the voice of God。
It was with great anxiety and self…distrust that Joshua had looked forward
to the work before him; but his fears were removed by the assurance of God;
〃As I was with Moses; so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee; nor
forsake thee。 。 。 。 Unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance
the land; which I sware unto their fathers to give them。〃 〃Every place that
the sole of your foot shall tread upon; that have I given unto you; as I
said unto Moses。〃 To the heights of Lebanon in the far distance; to the
shores of the Great Sea; and away to the banks of the Euphrates in the
eastall was to be theirs。
To this promise was added the injunction; 〃Only be thou strong and very
courageous; that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law; which
Moses My servant commanded。〃 The Lord's direction was; 〃This book of the law
shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and
night;〃 〃turn not from it to the right hand or to the left;〃 〃for then thou
shalt make thy way prosperous; and then thou shalt have good success。〃
The Israelites were still encamped on the east side of Jordan; which
presented the first barrier to the occupation of Canaan。 〃Arise;〃 had been
the first message of God to Joshua; 〃go over this Jordan; thou; and all this
people; unto the land which I do give to them。〃 No instruction was given as
to the way in which they were to make the passage。 Joshua knew; however;
that whatever God should command; He would make a way for His people to
perform; and in this faith the intrepid leader at once began his
arrangements for an advance。
A few miles beyond the river; just opposite the place where the Israelites
were encamped; was the large and strongly fortified city of Jericho。 This
city was virtually the key to the whole country; and it would present a
formidable obstacle to the succ