But, praise the Lord, perilous places are past, and the scene changes. We pass out of the Wady Kelt, and lo, the broad valley, the sacred river, and the Salt Sea burst upon our vision! These things within themselves are not so attractive to the eye, but, compared with the hill-country behind us, they are as beautiful as “apples of gold in baskets of silver.” For ten miles above the Dead Sea the Jordan valley is fourteen miles wide, and is divided by the river which flows through its centre. This part of the valley west of the river is called the Plain of Jericho, while that portion beyond the river is known as the Plain of Moab. So the valley, practically level, stretches out for seven miles on either side of the river. Then on either side of the river, seven miles from it, and parallel with it, there rises up a frowning wall of rock whose savage grandeur might well typify ruin and desolation. For ages the winter torrents have been coursing down their sides, until now they are seamed and furrowed, cut and scarred in every possible manner, and the mountains seem to writhe in pain and agony! But we have left the hills. We are now in the valley, and here before us, seven miles from the river, at the edge of the plain and at the base of the mountain, stands Jericho, old hoary-headed Jericho—“The City of Palm Trees.” She is venerable, indeed! It was Jericho that Moses looked down upon from the heights of Nebo. It was Jericho that furnished shelter to the “young men” who came from Israel’s camp to “spy out the country.” It was Jericho that Joshua first attacked “after crossing over the Jordan.” Her fortifications then were strong, her walls high. Her people thought “Our castle’s strength will laugh a siege to scorn.” But the bold spirit of Joshua was undaunted. It was God’s to command and his to obey. He surrounded the city. He sounded the tocsin. The walls fell! Now, reader, let us realize that when God commands you or me to do anything, we should move forward though confronted by walls of adamant! What is opposition to us? We move in obedience to the behest of Him who could besiege a city with “trumps of Joshua,” and route a host with the “lamps of Gideon!” After Joshua’s day, Herod the Great rebuilt the city on a grander scale than ever. Stately castles were erected, marble palaces arose on every hand. Great wealth was lavished upon the city. She was robed in rich apparel and decked with “rubies rare.” Here Herod held high carnival. Here he ruled and reveled, and “All went merry as a marriage Bell.”