30 lines
8.3 KiB
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30 lines
8.3 KiB
HTML
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<h2>105. CROSSING THE JORDAN</h2>
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<h3><a id="fem105-si1" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,'5-17');">JOSHUA 3:5-17</A></h3>
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<p>ISRAEL'S crossing the Jordan was a new epoch in their history. The wilderness with its zigzag path of unbelief was to be left behind, while Canaan with its abundant supply was about to be possessed. The typical teaching for the believer in Christ is, that when he sees the river of God's judgment rolling over his old sinful self, as the stones which represented Israel were placed in the bed of the Jordan (<a id="fem105-si2" onclick="return mV('Jos',4,9);">Jos 4:9</a>), and as he beholds himself seated with Christ in heavenly places, as illustrated in the stones which were placed in Gilgal (<a id="fem105-si3" onclick="return mV('Jos',4,20);">Jos 4:20</a>), then he is enabled to walk in newness of life (<a id="fem105-si4" onclick="return mV('Rom',6,4);">Rom 6:4</a>).</p>
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<p>1. <b>A Sanctified People</b> (<a id="fem105-si5" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,5);">Jos 3:5</a>). It was essential that the people should be sanctified, before the Lord could do wonders among them. The wonders of God's power are performed through a people who are separated to Himself; and the wonders of His grace are exhibited when He is sanctified as Lord in the heart (<a id="fem105-si6" onclick="return mV('1Pe',3,15);">1Pe 3:15</a>).</p>
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<p>2. <b>The Obedient Priests</b> (<a id="fem105-si7" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,'6-17');">Jos 3:6-17</a>). The priests acted according to the instructions given to them by Joshua. They were to take up the ark, pass over before the people, and stand in the bed of the Jordan till all the people had gone over. The priests in their priestly service were first and they were last. Thus, those who are believers in Christ are to remember that the priestly service of prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, and communion with the Lord come before more active service, and must come after it. As the ark of the covenant was seen by the people because it was on the shoulders of the priests, so Christ should always be seen in our work for the Lord.</p>
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<p>3. <b>An Honoured Leader</b> (<a id="fem105-si8" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,7);">Jos 3:7</a>). Joshua had been a faithful servant of the Lord, and now the Lord is about to honour him by working a wondrous miracle through him in causing the Jordan to roll back. Those who magnify the Lord by their loving obedience and praise (<a id="fem105-si9" onclick="return mV('Psa',34,3);">Psa 34:3</a>; <a id="fem105-si10" onclick="return mV('1Ch',17,24);">1Ch 17:24</a>), the Lord will magnify with His favour and power (<a id="fem105-si11" onclick="return mV('Jos',4,14);">Jos 4:14</a>; <a id="fem105-si12" onclick="return mV('1Ch',29,25);">1Ch 29:25</a>).</p>
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<p>4. <b>A Listening Servant</b> (<a id="fem105-si13" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,8);">Jos 3:8</a>). Joshua listens attentively to the voice of the Lord as He directs him what he is to do. We must wait before we run (<a id="fem105-si14" onclick="return mV('Isa',40,31);">Isa 40:31</a>), tarry (<a id="fem105-si15" onclick="return mV('Luk',24,49);">Luk 24:49</a>) before we are empowered (<a id="fem105-si16" onclick="return mV('Act',2,1,2);">Act 2:1-2</a>), receive before we can give (<a id="fem105-si17" onclick="return mV('Act',1,8);">Act 1:8</a>), be taught before we can teach (<a id="fem105-si18" onclick="return mV('Isa',50,40);">Isa 50:4</a>, R.V.), and listen before we speak (<a id="fem105-si19" onclick="return mV('Luk',10,39);">Luk 10:39</a>).</p>
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<p>5. <b>A Faithful Messenger</b> (<a id="fem105-si20" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,9);">Jos 3:9</a>). Having received the message, Joshua gives it to Israel. There were no deductions or additions, there was simply a reproduction. In like manner, when we receive the message of the Lord, as given in His Word, we must not add to it nor take from it (<a id="fem105-si21" onclick="return mV('Deu',12,32);">Deu 12:32</a>; <a id="fem105-si22" onclick="return mV('Rev',22,18);">Rev 22:18</a>). People are apt to do one of three things in connection with God's Word, namely, take from, add to, or alter. Notice that Eve did all three. She <i>took from</i> when she left out the word "freely" (see <a id="fem105-si23" onclick="return mV('Gen',3,2);">Gen 3:2</a>, and <a id="fem105-si24" onclick="return mV('Gen',2,16);">Gen 2:16</A>); she <i>added to</i> when she put in the word "touch" (see <a id="fem105-si25" onclick="return mV('Gen',3,3);">Gen 3:3</a>, and <a id="fem105-si26" onclick="return mV('Gen',2,17);">Gen 2:17</a>); and she <i>altered</i> when she said, "lest ye die" (<a id="fem105-si27" onclick="return mV('Gen',3,3);">Gen 3:3</a>), when God had said, "Thou shalt surely die" (<a id="fem105-si28" onclick="return mV('Gen',2,17);">Gen 2:17</a>).</p>
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<p>6. <b>The Almighty Conqueror</b> (<a id="fem105-si29" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,10);">Jos 3:10</a>). The living God was to be the One who would drive out their enemies. It was not a question of their skill or of their power, but of the Lord's doings. The one essential is to be strong in the power of His might (<a id="fem105-si30" onclick="return mV('Eph',6,10);">Eph 6:10</a>), and to have faith in Him to overcome (<a id="fem105-si31" onclick="return mV('1Jo',5,4);">1Jo 5:4</a>), then no giant can stand before us (<a id="fem105-si32" onclick="return mV('1Sa',17,45);">1Sa 17:45</a>).</p>
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<p>7. <b>The Symbolic Ark</b> (<a id="fem105-si33" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,11);">Jos 3:11</a>). The ark is the symbol of Jehovah's presence. Six times the ark is called "the ark of the covenant" (<a id="fem105-si34" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,3);">Jos 3:3</a>, <a id="fem105-si35" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,6);">6</a>, <a id="fem105-si36" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,8);">8</a>, <a id="fem105-si37" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,11);">11</a>, <a id="fem105-si38" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,14);">14</a>, <a id="fem105-si39" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,17);">17</a>); twice it is called "the ark" (<a id="fem105-si40" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,15);">Jos 3:15</a>); once it is called "the ark of the Lord" (<a id="fem105-si41" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,13);">Jos 3:13</a>); once it is called "the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth" (<a id="fem105-si42" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,11);">Jos 3:11</a>); and once there is the addition to the words "the ark of the Lord" of the expression, "The Lord of all the earth." "<i>The</i> ark" is so called because there is only one; "the ark of the <i>covenant</i>" is so called because it contained the law; "the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth" is so designated because He possesses all things; and "the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth," is so described because no power can stand before Him. All this can be applied to Christ.</p>
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<p>8. <b>Representative Men</b> (<a id="fem105-si43" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,12);">Jos 3:12</a>). The twelve men taken from the twelve tribes, from each tribe a man, signifies that these men were each acting in the place of the tribe. Christ is the Representative Man for the believer. He acts on our behalf (<a id="fem105-si44" onclick="return mV('hbr',9,24);">Hbr 9:24</a>).</p>
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<p>9. <b>The Supreme Power</b> (<a id="fem105-si45" onclick="return mV('Jos',3,'13-17');">Jos 3:13-17</a>). The waters of Jordan could not stand before the <i>fiat</i> and presence of Jehovah (<a id="fem105-si46" onclick="return mV('Psa',104,7);">Psa 104:7</a>); neither can the waters of judgment nor the waters of trouble (<a id="fem105-si47" onclick="return mV('Isa',43,2);">Isa 43:2</a>) immerse the child of God. "No condemnation" and "no separation" are the two pillars of the temple of truth. As long as we are behind the omnipotent power of Jehovah no force of earth, no might of hell, and no weapon forged by man can touch or harm us.</p>
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