patriarchs and prophets-第127章
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was made in the presence of all Israel； 〃Cursed be the man before the Lord；
that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho： he shall lay the foundation
thereof in his first…born； and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates
of it。〃
The utter destruction of the people of Jericho was but a fulfillment of the
commands previously given through Moses concerning the inhabitants of
Canaan： 〃Thou shalt smite them； and utterly destroy them。〃 Deuteronomy 7：2。
〃Of the cities of these people； 。 。 。 thou shalt save alive nothing that
breatheth。〃 Deuteronomy 20：16。 To many these commands seem to be contrary to
the spirit of love and mercy enjoined in other portions of the Bible； but
they were in truth the dictates of infinite wisdom and goodness。 God was
about to establish Israel in Canaan； to develop among them a nation and
government that should be a manifestation of His kingdom upon the earth。
They were not only to be inheritors of the true religion； but to disseminate
its principles throughout the world。 The Canaanites had abandoned themselves
to the foulest and most debasing heathenism； and it was necessary that the
land should be cleared of what would so surely prevent the fulfillment of
God's gracious purposes。
The inhabitants of Canaan had been granted ample opportunity for repentance。
Forty years before； the opening of the Red Sea and the judgments upon Egypt
had testified to the supreme power of the God of Israel。 And now the
overthrow of the kings of Midian； of Gilead and Bashan； had further shown
that Jehovah was above all gods。 The holiness of His character and His
abhorrence of impurity had been evinced in the judgments visited upon Israel
for their participation in the abominable rites of Baalpeor。 All these
events were known to the inhabitants of Jericho； and there were many who
shared Rahab's conviction； though they refused to obey it； that Jehovah； the
God of Israel； 〃is God in heaven above； and upon the earth beneath。〃 Like
the men before the Flood； the Canaanites lived only to blaspheme Heaven and
defile the earth。 And both love and justice demanded the prompt execution of
these rebels against God and foes to man。
How easily the armies of heaven brought down the walls of
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Jericho； that proud city whose bulwarks； forty years before； had struck
terror to the unbelieving spies！ Thy Mighty One of Israel had said； 〃I have
given into thine hand Jericho。〃 Against that word human strength was
powerless。
〃By faith the walls of Jericho fell down。〃 Hebrews 11：30。 The Captain of the
Lord's host communicated only with Joshua； He did not reveal Himself to all
the congregation； and it rested with them to believe or doubt the words of
Joshua； to obey the commands given by him in the name of the Lord； or to
deny his authority。 They could not see the host of angels who attended them
under the leadership of the Son of God。 They might have reasoned： 〃What
unmeaning movements are these； and how ridiculous the performance of
marching daily around the walls of the city； blowing trumpets of rams'
horns。 This can have no effect upon those towering fortifications。〃 But the
very plan of continuing this ceremony through so long a time prior to the
final overthrow of the walls afforded opportunity for the development of
faith among the Israelites。 It was to be impressed upon their minds that
their strength was not in the wisdom of man； nor in his might； but only in
the God of their salvation。 They were thus to become accustomed to relying
wholly upon their divine Leader。
God will do great things for those who trust in Him。 The reason why His
professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to
their own wisdom； and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His
power in their behalf。 He will help His believing children in every
emergency if they will place their entire confidence in Him and faithfully
obey him。
Soon after the fall of Jericho； Joshua determined to attack Ai； a small town
among the ravines a few miles to the west of the Jordan Valley。 Spies sent
to this place brought back the report that the inhabitants were but few； and
that only a small force would be needed to overthrow it。
The great victory that God had gained for them had made the Israelites
self…confident。 Because He had promised them the land of Canaan they felt
secure； and failed to realize that divine help alone could give them
success。 Even Joshua laid his plans for the conquest of Ai without seeking
counsel from God。
The Israelites had begun to exalt their own strength and to look with
contempt upon their foes。 An easy victory was expected； and three thousand
men were thought sufficient to take
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the place。 These rushed to the attack without the assurance that God would
be with them。 They advanced nearly to the gate of the city； only to
encounter the most determined resistance。 Panic…stricken at the numbers and
thorough preparation of their enemies； they fled in confusion down the steep
descent。 The Canaanites were in hot pursuit； 〃they chased them from before
the gate； 。 。 。 and smote them in the going down。〃 Though the loss was small
as to numbersbut thirty…six men being slainthe defeat was disheartening
to the whole congregation。 〃The hearts of the people melted； and became as
water。〃 This was the first time they had met the Canaanites in actual
battle； and if put to flight before the defenders of this little town； what
would be the result in the greater conflicts before them？ Joshua looked upon
their ill success as an expression of God's displeasure； and in distress and
apprehension he 〃rent his clothes； and fell to the earth upon his face
before the ark of the Lord until the eventide； he and the elders of Israel；
and put dust upon their heads。〃
〃Alas； O Lord God；〃 he cried； 〃wherefore hast Thou at all brought this
people over Jordan； to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites； to destroy
us？ 。 。 。 O Lord； what shall I say； when Israel turneth their backs before
their enemies！ For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall
hear of it； and shall environ us round； and cut off our name from the earth：
and what wilt Thou do unto Thy great name？〃
The answer from Jehovah was； 〃Get thee up； wherefore liest thou thus upon
thy face？ Israel hath 。 。 。 transgressed My covenant which I commanded
them。〃 It was a time for prompt and decided action； and not for despair and
lamentation。 There was secret sin in the camp； and it must be searched out
and put away before the presence and blessing of the Lord could be with His
people。 〃Neither will I be with you any more； except ye destroy the accursed
from among you。〃
God's command had been disregarded by one of those appointed to execute His
judgments。 And the nation was held accountable for the guilt of the
transgressor： 〃They have even taken of the accursed thing； and have also
stolen； and dissembled also。〃 Instruction was given to Joshua for the
discovery and punishment of the criminal。 The lot was to be employed for the
detection of the guilty。 The sinner was not directly pointed out； the matter
being left in doubt for a time； that the people might
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feel their responsibility for the sins existing among them； and thus be led
to searching of heart and humiliation before God。
Early in the morning； Joshua gathered the people together by their tribes；
and the solemn and impressive ceremony began。 Step by step the investigation
went on。 Closer and still closer came the fearful test。 First the tribe；
then the family； then the household； then the man was taken； and Achan the
son of Carmi； of the tribe of Judah； was pointed out by the finger of God as
the troubler of Israel。
To establish his guilt beyond all question； leaving no ground for the charge
that he had been unjustly condemned； Joshua solemnly adjured Achan to
acknowledge the truth。 The wretched man made full confession of his crime：
〃Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel。 。 。 。 When I saw among
the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment； and
