Daughter of Deliverance by Gilbert Morris Page A

arms and embraced them both. He was still a powerful, strong man, though a hundred twenty years old. He held them tightly and said, “My time is over, but your time is just beginning.”
    Joshua cried out, “Moses, my master, my teacher, I cannot bear the thought!”
    â€œEvery man serves God in his own generation. As our father Abraham did and our father Isaac and our father Jacob, so I have tried to serve the great and almighty Jehovah. Now, know of the special love I have had for you two.” For a long time Moses stayed with the two men, encouraging them, until he stopped and said, “I must go.”
    â€œLet me go with you, master,” Joshua cried.
    â€œYou are the new leader of Israel. One day you will join me, but now it is time for me to go meet with my God.”
    Moses turned from the two and left. Once he glanced back at the tabernacle, but he felt very low when he saw it, so he set his face and turned away.
    The entire congregation of Israel had gathered as Moses made his way, and cries went up from all the people, but Moses did not stop. He headed straight toward Mount Pisgah, and there the eye of every man and woman and young person in Israel watched as he ascended the mountain. The sunlight was pouring down in golden beams, and Joshua, Caleb, the high priest, and all the tribes watched as the powerful figure grew smaller.
    Joshua was trembling, for he knew what lay before him, and he wanted to cry out and run after the man who had been his master for so many years. But he knew he must not. At last the figure disappeared in the distance so that even the keenest-eyed Israelite could not see him.
    And then Joshua turned to Caleb, tears streaming down his face. “Never again,” he whispered, “will we see a man like Moses!”

Chapter 8
    Achan was running his stubby fingers over a cloth when Ardon appeared. Under his breath he muttered, “How unpleasant Ardon looks.”
    Othniel, who had just finished eating, was sitting cross-legged, his back against the tent pole. The weather was fine, so the sides of the tent were up, and he had been simply enjoying doing nothing. At Achan’s words he straightened up, got to his feet, and nodded. “Hello, Ardon. Good to see you.”
    Ardon stopped and gave Achan a brief glance, then put his eyes on Othniel. “I’m going to trade with those Amalachites at their village. We’re running low on grain. We need more for making bread.”
    â€œDo you want me to go with you?”
    â€œNo, but I want you to behave yourself while I’m gone. Stay away from women.”
    Othniel’s face flushed and he said nothing, only nodded.
    â€œYou’d better be careful,” Achan said. “I’ve done some trading with them—just a week ago, as a matter of fact. They’ll steal your eye teeth if you’re not careful.”
    â€œI’ll see to it they don’t.”
    Both Achan and Othniel watched as Ardon turned abruptly and strode away.
    â€œMy, he’s an unpleasant fellow!” Achan exclaimed.
    â€œHe’s all right. He’s just serious.”
    â€œHe takes his religion far too seriously if you ask me.”
    â€œThat’s a good thing. I think you and I could learn from him.”
    â€œNo, he could learn from us. You grew up with him and you know him. He wasn’t always like this.”
    â€œThat’s right, he wasn’t. He was the best playmate I ever had when we were children—we were just boys together. It was lots of fun. I don’t know why he started changing.”
    â€œIt happens. He got infected with God.”
    Othniel laughed, his teeth white against his bronze skin. “You make religion sound like a sickness. Something you can catch and suffer from.”
    â€œWhy, I never thought of it like that, but that’s close enough.”
    â€œYou’re a terrible fellow, Achan,” Othniel said, turning fondly toward his friend.