Journey of the Israelites (Part VII)

Lesson Content

Crossing of Jordan The I sraelites encamped in various places. This speaks of different spiritual experiences and trials and temptations which lead us into a deeper life of sanctification. Ultimately, towards the end of their journey, they had to cross the river Jordan before entering into Canaan. Crossing the Red Sea is a shadow of water baptism in which we receive the experience of dying to the nature of sin. Thereafter we have to reckon ourselves dead to sin, throughout our lifetime. But the crossing of Jordan speaks of knowing the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, being made conformable unto His death (Phil.3:10). The dividing of the Red Sea was different from that of the Jordan. The waters of the Red Sea were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left (Exo.14:22). In the case of crossing the Jordan, when the priests stepped into the water, the waters which came down from above stood as a heap, while on the other side, the waters that came down towards the Salt sea, failed and were cut off (Josh.3:15,16). The p riests bearing the ark of the covenant speak of the consecrated servants of God who contend for the truth once and for all delivered unto them. Towards the end of our life’s journey, our trials shall be harder and greater like the waters which heaped up. W hen the Church called to partake of the sufferings of Christ, goes through such tribulations and fiery trials, the ministry of the consecrated servants of God who uphold the truth is needed, lest it perishes. After the children of Israel crossed the Jordan, Joshua commanded that one set of twelve stones should be taken from the Jordan, where the feet of the priests stood firm and carried over to the other side and placed in Gilgal (Josh.4:20). These stones speak of

our having endured the trials and come for th as victors, not counting our lives dear unto ourselves. Just as these stones were a memorial of what God did for the children of Israel at the waters of the Jordan, we have to remember how we are being kept by the power of God through faith in the midst of trials, while we go on to overcome all things to possess our inheritance (I Pet.1:5). Joshua set up another set of twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan where the priests stood (Josh.4:9). As the priests stepped out of the Jordan, the waters began t o flow again and flowed over these stones which are said to be there till now. These stones speak of our determination to stand firm for the truth, no matter what the trials or tribulations are, with the help of the servants of God having an apostolic consecration.

Moral

We should always stand by the servants of God who contend for the truth, ready to face the trials that come our way and overcome them.