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CHAPTER 5 : The Charge To Joshua - Despatch Of The Two Spies To
Jericho -Rahab.
(JOSHUA 1, 2)
A WIDE, rich plain at the foot of the mountains of Moab, carpeted with wild flowers
springing in luxuriant beauty, watered by many rivulets and rills, here and there covered
by acacia trees, where birds of brightest plumage carol, and beyond, to the south, by the
banks of streams, where scented oleanders rise to a height of twenty-five feet, their
flower-laden boughs bending like those of the willow - such is Abel-Shittim, "the
meadow of acacias." Beyond it are the fords of Jordan, and the western heights; in the
distance southwards, the hills of Judaea, on which the purple light rests. Climate and
vegetation are tropical, on the eastern even more than on the western banks of the
Jordan. Many memories hallow the place Somewhere here must Elijah have smitten the
waters of Jordan, that they parted, ere the fiery chariot wrapt him from the
companionship of Elisha. In this district also was the scene of John's baptism, where the
Savior humbled Himself to fulfill all righteousness. And on this "meadow of acacias"
did an early summer shed its softness when, about the month of March, forty years after
the Exodus, the camp of Israel kept thirty days' solemn mourning for Moses
(Deuteronomy 34:8). Behind them rose that mountain-top, from which "that saint of
God" had seen his last of Israel and of the goodly land, which they were so soon to
possess; before them lay the Land of Promise which they were presently to enter.
Such a leader as Moses had been would Israel never more see; nor yet one with whom
God had so spoken, "mouth to mouth," as a man with his friend. A feeling of loneliness
and awe must have crept over the people and over their new leader, Joshua, like that
which Elisha felt, when, alone, he turned him back with the mantle of Elijah that came
to him from heaven, to test whether now also the waters would divide at the bidding of
the Lord God of Elijah. And the faithful Covenant-God was with Joshua, as he waited,
not unbelievingly, but expectantly, in that mourning camp of Abel-Shittim, for a fresh
message from God. Though he had been previously designated by God, and set apart to
the leadership, it was well he should so wait, not only for his own sake, but also "that
the people might afterwards not hesitate gladly to follow his leadership, who had not
moved a foot without the leading of God."^59 And in due time the longed-for direction
came: not in doubtful language, but renewing alike the commission of Joshua and the
promises to Israel. Far as the eye could reach, to the heights of Anti-Lebanon in the
extreme distance, to the shores of the Great Sea, to the Euphrates in the East - all was
theirs, and not a foeman should withstand them, for God would "not fail nor forsake"
their leader. Only two things were requisite: that, in his loving obedience, the word and
commands of God should be precious to Joshua; and that in strong faith he should be
"very courageous." This latter command was twice repeated, as it were to indicate alike
the inward courage of faith and the outward courage of deed.
(^)