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JOSHUA AND THE ANGEL.

AFTER Joshua and his army had made their miraculous passage over the river Jordan, having gained the plains of Jericho, they encamped in a place which thenceforward took the name of Gilgal, from the circumstance of the rite of circumcision, which had been for nearly forty years disused by the Israelites, being here renewed. Gilgal was about two miles from Jericho, and while Joshua was probably reconnoitring the latter city to ascertain how he might best direct the siege, a figure suddenly appeared before him in a hostile attitude, having a drawn sword in his hand. "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."* This is the moment chosen by the artist. Joshua has just recognized the divine messenger, in obedience to whose command he has cast aside his shield and is taking off his sandals, as Moses did on a similar occasion. Behind him, dimly seen in the distance, is the encampment of the Israelites. That the messenger was one endued with divine authority is evident from the command given by him to the Israelitish general. And, as it has been very justly observed by a learned Jew, "This angel who suffered himself to be worshipped, and by whose presence the place where he appeared was sanctified, so that Joshua was commanded to put off his shoes, was, no doubt, the very same whom all the angels of heaven worship."

[graphic]

THE WALLS OF JERICHO FALL DOWN.

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