PERIOD III.

FROM THE DEATH OF JOSEPH TO THE DEATH OF MOSES.

B.C. 1597-B.C. 1451. 146 YEARS.

Lesson 17. Bondage of Israel.

The Egyptians oppressed the Israelites and made them slaves. They also destroyed the male infants. The parents of Moses hid him for three months: they then placed him in an ark of bulrushes on the river. The daughter of the king found him, and brought him up. God appointed Moses to demand the release of the Israelites from bondage. Aaron

was the brother of Moses.

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Heb. xi. 24, 25.'

Lesson 18. The Plagues.

God sent plagues on Egypt. He turned the waters into blood-he covered the land with frogs-he sent lice on man and beast-he sent swarms of flies-a murrain on the cattle-boils on man and beast-he sent hail, rain, and fire he sent locusts and then a thick darkness. He then threatened to destroy all the first-born.

"He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham." Psalm cv. 26—35.

The Lord said unto Joshua; "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance. the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them." Joshua i. 5, 6.

PERIOD IV.

FROM THE ENTRANCE INTO CANAAN TO THE ANOINTING OF SAUL.

B.C. 1451-B.C. 1096. 355 YEARS.

Lesson 30. Joshua succeeds Moses. Jericho taken.

Of the 600,000 Israelites who left Egypt, Joshua and Caleb were the only two who entered Canaan. Joshua sent two spies to Jericho, they were concealed by Rahab, who assisted them to escape. The spies promised to save her and her family,

when the Israelites took the city. Joshua received directions from God about the taking of Jericho. The city was taken, and Rahab saved as the spies had promised.

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace." Heb. xi. 30, 31.

Lesson 31. Achan's Sin. Of the Gibeonites.

Achan coveted and hid silver and gold of the spoil of Jericho, and was stoned for his sin. The people of Gibeon made a league with the Israelites, and deceived them, and were made hewers of wood and drawers of water. Five kings went against Gibeon, because the people had made peace with Israel; they were conquered.

Jericho was dstroyed because of the wickedness of the inhabitants. The Israelites were commanded not to touch any of the silver or gold, but Achan disobeyed. When his sin was discovered Joshua meekly said to him, "My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him." Joshua vii. 19.

Lesson 32. The Conquest and Division of Canaan.

Joshua did not conquer the whole of Canaan. Forty-eight cities were given to the Levites. The tabernacle was set up at Shiloh; and Canaan was divided among the tribes by lot. The bones of Joseph were buried in Shechem. Before Joshua's death he reminded the Israelites of God's great goodness towards them.

In these forty-eight cities the Levites were dispersed; their duties were to instruct the people by their doctrine and example, to restrain idolatry, and to encourge the people in the worship of the True God.