Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 51 To promote the assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required. Concerning the first tithe, the Lord had declared, “I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel.” Numbers 18:21. But in…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 50 In the Hebrew economy one tenth of the income of the people was set apart to support the public worship of God. Thus Moses declared to Israel: “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 49 This chapter is based on Joshua 23 and 24. The wars and conquest ended, Joshua had withdrawn to the peaceful retirement of his home at Timnath-serah. “And it came to pass, a long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 48 This chapter is based on Joshua 10:40-43; 11; 14-22. The victory at Beth-horon was speedily followed by the conquest of southern Canaan. “Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale…. And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time,…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 47 This chapter is based on Joshua 9 and 10. From Shechem the Israelites returned to their encampment at Gilgal. Here they were soon after visited by a strange deputation, who desired to enter into treaty with them. The ambassadors represented that they had come from a distant country, and this seemed…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 46 This chapter is based on Joshua 8. After the execution of the sentence upon Achan, Joshua was commanded to marshal all the men of war and again advance against Ai. The power of God was with His people, and they were soon in possession of the city. Military operations were now…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 45 This chapter is based on Joshua 5:13-15; 6; 7. The Hebrews had entered Canaan, but they had not subdued it; and to human appearance the struggle to gain possession of the land must be long and difficult. It was inhabited by a powerful race, who stood ready to oppose the invasion…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 44 This chapter is based on Joshua 1 to 5:12. 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,…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 43 This chapter is based on Deuteronomy 31 to 34. In all the dealings of God with His people there is, mingled with His love and mercy, the most striking evidence of His strict and impartial justice. This is exemplified in the history of the Hebrew people. God had bestowed great blessings…

Patriarchs and Prophets—Chapter 42 This chapter is based on Deuteronomy 4 to 6; 28. The Lord announced to Moses that the appointed time for the possession of Canaan was at hand; and as the aged prophet stood upon the heights overlooking the river Jordan and the Promised Land, he gazed with deep interest upon the…