are the inspired pages in which Josue relates how he crossed the Jordan at the head of the embattled Tribes—God’s Ark and the priestly bands leading the way, while the waters of Jordan stood still. Then the half-peaceful, half-military processions around the walls of Jericho (chap. vi.); the terrible punishment of the avaricious and hypocritical Achan (vii.); the utter extermination of a people given body and soul to the abominable idolatry of which even modern science is ashamed, and the purification by fire of the very site of the polluted cities; the sublime scene offered in the beautiful vale of Sichem by the victorious Israelites, when they solemnly dedicate themselves to Jehovah (viii.); the miraculous prolongation of daylight to enable Josue to complete his victory over God’s enemies:
"Move not, O Sun, toward Gabaon!
Nor thou, O Moon, toward the valley of Ajalon!”
In seven years Josue completed the work of conquest. “And the land rested from the wars.” Then the venerable chief of God’s people enters upon the more difficult task of allotting to each tribe a portion of the national territory. Here occurs a heroic incident deserving of everlasting remembrance. Caleb demands that Hebron and its territory be allotted to him in fulfillment of a previous promise made by God through Moses, and because the city itself and the mountainous district around it were then the abode of a race of gigantic warriors (Anakim or Enachim), giants not only in stature but in wickedness. He takes on himself and his sons the task of driving out this evil brood, three tribes or families of whom held the place and seemed to render it impregnable. “Give me therefore this mountain, which the Lord promised, in thy hearing also, . . . if so be the Lord be with me. And Josue blessed him and gave him Hebron in possession. And from that time Hebron belonged to Caleb, . . . until this present day: because he followed the Lord the God of Israel.”
Josue himself emulated this splendid example of his friend: he asked and received from the nation another of these mountain-strongholds, situated on the confines of the hostile heathen nations who held the sea-coast, the possession of which must oblige his posterity to be perpetually in arms for the defence of their country and their religion.
His last solemn appearance before assembled Israel was in the Vale of Sichem, near the tomb of Joseph, on the spot hallowed so long before by Abraham and Jacob, looked upon not only as the birthplace of the nation but as “the sanctuary of the Lord” (xxiv. 26). To the people over whose welfare he has watched so long and so faithfully the venerable leader, now one hundred and ten years old, delivers a prophetic message from the Most High, rehearsing briefly the History of His own providence over Abraham and his descendants, from the calling of the great patriarch in Chaldæa to the present hour of triumph and blissful security amid their predestined inheritance. Again this most privileged race are challenged by their Divine Benefactor to use their free will. “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him with a perfect and most sincere heart . . . But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your choice . . .
