Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

his determination to keep the truth in the middle of danger, he had
shown his fitness to be the next leader after Moses.
Joshua looked to the work before him with great anxiety, but
the assurance of God removed his fears: "As I was with Moses, so I
will be with you: I will not leave you nor forsake you. ... To this
people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to
their fathers to give them." "Every place that the sole of your foot
will tread upon I have given you." "Only be strong and very
courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law
which Moses My servant commanded. ... This Book of the Law
shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day
and night." "Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left. ... For
then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have
good success."
"Arise," had been the first message of God to Joshua, "go over
this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to
them." Joshua knew that whatever God would command, He would
make a way for His people to carry out. With this faith, the
courageous leader immediately began preparations for an advance.
Just across from the Israelites' camp was the strongly fortified
city of Jericho, the key to the whole country. It would present a
major obstacle to Israel. So, Joshua sent two young men as spies to
learn something about its population, resources, and strength of
fortifications. The people in the city, terrified and suspicious, were
on the alert, and the messengers were in great danger. But they were
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