be used to-day, drawn from our
every-day experience. God certainly meant that we should use their
story in this way, for in the New Testament we read that the things
which happened to them were as ensamples for us. The word "ensample"
means type, or figure, or illustration.

To appreciate this text and the story of the five imprisoned kings we
must go back a little bit to the place where the leadership of Moses
had been transferred to Joshua. God is never at a loss for a man; his
plans are never frustrated. If Moses is to be set aside Joshua is in
preparation for his position. Doubtless Joshua may have felt somewhat
restrained, as he was kept in a position of not very great prominence,
but he certainly realized when he stood as the leader of the children
of Israel that all things had been working together for the good of his
leadership, and doubtless he praised Jehovah for his goodness to him.
There are many incidents in connection with the immediate story of the
children of Israel which should be mentioned here.

When they were ready to move towards Canaan Joshua told them that when
the soles of the feet of the priests touched the water of the Jordan
the water would stand on either side before them and they could pass
dry shod into Canaan. Suddenly the marching began. They stood within
three feet of the waters, which ran the same as they had been running
for years; then two feet, then one, and then six inches, but there was
no parting of the waters before them. Let us remember that God had
said, "When the soles of the feet of the priests touch the water they
shall separate." And it was even as he said, and on dry land the
children of Israel passed over to the other side. It is a perfectly
natural thing for one who is unregenerate to say, "Why insist upon
confession, and the acceptance of Christ, and how can the mere
acceptance of the Savior save me from the penalty and the power of
sin?" But a countless multitude will rise to-day to say, "It was when
we stepped out upon what we could not understand and what seemed as
impassable and impossible as the parting of the waters of the Jordan
that God gave us light and peace."

When once they were in Canaan what an interesting story that is in
connection with Rahab of Jericho! The spies had entered her home and a
mob outside was seeking them that they might put them to death. Rahab
promised them deliverance, only she exacted from them a promise in
return that t