- A GROUP
of five kings in the south of Canaan fought the Israelites before the
walls of Gibeon, and Joshua was the victor. Joshua did not give his
enemies time to form a line, but fell upon them so suddenly that they were
confused, and fled before the men of Israel. Joshua followed his enemies
as they fled and killed many of them. In their flight, the kings were
overtaken by a hail storm. The stones were so large that many soldiers
were killed by them. At this time Joshua prayed to the Lord to give him
time to finish his victory. God allowed the light of day to remain longer
than usual. It seemed as if the sun and moon stood still. In this way
Joshua defeated the Canaanites.
- This battle was very
important, for on that day the land was won by the people of the Lord. If
Israel had been defeated instead of Canaan, then the worship of the true
God would have been stopped, and the world might have worshiped idols.
- After this victory .Joshua
turned to the north, and led his army by a swift march against the kings
who had united there to fight the Israelites. As suddenly as before, he
fell upon these kings and their armies and won another great victory.
Everywhere the tribes of Canaan were made to obey the Israelites, until
all the mountain country was under Joshua's rule.
- The Children of Israel
were divided into twelve tribes, each tribe being named after one of
Jacob's sons. The chief tribe was that of Judah, from which the Savior was
to come, according to the prophecies. Joshua divided Canaan among the
tribes of Israel. Only the tribe of Levi, which was that of the priests,
was not given any land. The priests were allowed to live among the other
tribes and were to be supported by them.
- Joshua had finished the
work for which God had chosen him. He died at the age of one hundred and
ten years.
- Love, Tia Célia
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