The presence of common peril forced the nations of Canaan to combine for self-preservation. Would that the various sections of the visible Chure!: might see their way to a similar policy in view of the ey!i in the world!

Gibeon lay five miles north of Jerusalem. The name means “built on a hill.” The Church has suffered more from the wiles of the devil than from his attacks. The deceitfulness of sin is most to be dreaded. Better to

meet Caiaphas than Judas, and a black devil than a white one.

How often we act without asking the counsel of God! Yet when once an oath is taken which does not absolutely conflict with morality, God holds us to it, 2 Sam. 21:1. By this impressive instance we are taught to wait on God before making our decisions, which are apt to become irrevocable, Psa. 127: 2.

Joshua 9:16-27. The faith of these people was so far rewarded that, while their deception was punished by their reduction to the most menial tasks, yet their lives were spared; and, to a certain degree, they were incorporated with Israel and associated with the service of God’s house. This position made them as unlikely as possible to seduce Israel from loyalty to Jehovah.

Joshua 10:1-14. The honor of Israel was implicated in this attack on their confederates, and Joshua went to their assistance. The deception which had been practised on him did not alienate his help. Before he started he was assured of victory, but this did not make him slothful. See verse 7. But it was by his faith, courage and obedience that this and other victories were won. What may not one man do when God is with him! Paganini once broke all his strings but one; then, holding up his violin, he said, “One string and Paganini.”

A terrific storm burst on the fugitives as they crossed the high ridge of Beth-horon and descended in full flight to the plain. We are not called upon to explain the miraéle of the sun and moon. The prolongation of daylight was probably due to some cause like that which

yields the after-glow of sunset and the optical refractions seen in high latitudes.