Once when the Persian Empire was at the summit of its power, an attempt was made to discover the body of Moses. A countless host of Persian soldiers was sent to search Mount Nebo. When they had reached the top of the mountain, they saw the sepulchre of Moses distinctly at the bottom. They hastened to reach the valley, and then they clearly distinguished the tomb of Moses at the summit. Thus, whenever they were at the top, they saw it at the foot; and when they were at the foot, it appeared at the top; so they were forced to abandon the prosecution of their search.[1]
The incident of the contention of Michael with Satan for the body of Moses mentioned by S. Jude is contained in the apocryphal "Assumption of Moses," now lost, but which has been quoted by Origen and other Fathers.
XXXIII.
JOSHUA.
HITHERTO Israel had required a lawgiver, and they had been given one in Moses; now they needed a general, and they were provided with one in Joshua.
After the death of Moses and his brother Aaron, the children of Israel remained seven years in the wilderness, till the forty years were accomplished. Then God conferred on Joshua the function of prophet, and ordered him to lead the chosen people out of the desert and to attack the three cities of the giants.
Joshua was of the tribe of Joseph. He was the son of Nun, who was the son of Ephraim, who was the son of Joseph; and his mother was Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron.[2]
Before Joshua led the people of the Lord to the conquest of the Holy Land, Joshua sent three deputations into Canaan; of these the first proclaimed, "Let any one who will escape death, leave the country."
Then came the second deputation, and declared, "Let such people as will make an alliance with us, do so, and we will receive them."
Then came the third deputation, and cried, "Let those who persist in desiring war, prepare for it."
