The National tribune., 1888-10-04
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above
SuBJEcr: THE CROSSING OF THE JORDAN
RIVER BY THE IsRAELrTEs, LED BY JOSHUA
1. Tine
The great event about which we study this
week happened in the year 1858 A. NJ. 1t was
in the first month of the year, to w.t. in the
month Abb, and on the 10th day thereof
"a 10; l Chrou., ~: 49, It was in the time
of the barley harvest. Thirty three days had
passed since the death of Moses, 30 of which
were spent in formal period of mourning
over the decease of their late leader. We find
from 1 /: IL that Joshua told the people they
were to cross the river within three days"
A better rendering would be after three days"
and would agree with the vulgate. The He
brew allows such o. translation. It is plain the
crossing did not occur until three DAYS after
Gods interview with Joshua for the purpose of
encouraging and instructing him in the work
of leading the Israelites. In all probability
God appeared to Joshua just after the expiTa-
tion of the 80 days mourning. At once Joshua
sent two spies to reconnoiter the eastern side
of the Jordan, and they returned in three days.
e: 81 Then 3 2 shows that, after three days,
arrangements were made for crossing the river.
On the day after crossing, to wit, the 14th of
Nissan, the Passover was celebrated.
Just before crossing. the IsraeIites were east
of the Jordan opposite Jericho The eneamp-
ment extended from Abel sittim north TO Beth
jeshimoth south (Nu., SO: 49) On the east
side, in line with Jericho was Bethabara.
The word Bethabara means the house Of pass
age. (St. John, l :29) 1t is thought that
place derived its name from the crossing OF the
river by the Israelites. Abel-sittim was east
of the Jordan, say Is miles from Bethabara,
while Beth-jesimoth was, say, 10 miles south,
on the eastern boundary of the Dead Sea- The
Israelitish camps spread all along the banks
and reached back some distance on the plains
of Moab. They presented face of perhaps 20
miles.
g. The Crossing.
The number to cross must have been from
two to three millions of men, women and chill
dren. All crossed except the wives and chill
dren of the tribes of Reuben and Cad and the
half tribe of Manaseh. a.: 12) The men
(sodiers) of these last tribes crossed and helped
the rest to gain possession, but, of course, re-
turned to their families. About 40, 600 of these
three tribes crossed. "a: 49,
The River Jordan was wide and deep. Kits
lin Land of Promise" p. 81 states it was
1920 feet wide and Ia feet deep. In early
times, when the country was not so inhabited
as it became to be after the Israelites settled
there, forests covered the hills and the over
flowing would be much greater. The dashing
body of water came largely from the mountains
Of Lebanon, the source of the Jordan. The
river is very rapid stream. Indeed, it Sc
cured its name from this fact, the word Jordan
meaning the descender. The depression from
the Sea of Galilee to the place named in Christs
day Bethabara was about 1000 feet Swift
rapids and deep cascades interviewed. Its cur
rent when swollen is fearful. Men may try to
account for the crossing of the tongue of the
Red Sea by imagining shallow place, but
there is no room for such hypothesis in the
case of the crossing of the Jordan.
The width of the opening extended north to
the city Adam aud south not far probably from
the mouth OF the Dead Sea. 1t is difficult after
thousands of years have elapsed to locate GER
tain places exactly. 1t is thought Adam was
about 80 miles north. Opinion is more firm as
to the locality Of Zaretan. 1t was below Jez-
reel Il XII. A.: A. 1t is plain the opening
was wide Possibly no water was in sight to
the north. 1t was as though there was no
river. (P5., II4:3.)
The priests took position in the middle of
the opened channel on the side looking north,
seemingly forming barrier against the return
of the waters. They held the ark in plain
sight of the people. The ark was symbol of
Gods presence and help. The procession was
to march with the right-hand line 1000 feet
from the ark when opposite it. Thus the peo-
pie had a cleared space between them and the
enter the former channel. The time required
to cross would depend ON the width Of the pro-
cession. Keil calculates that if the face of the
procession were one mile wide it would require
one-half of day.
Tradition says Zoroaster used to pass rivers
miraculously. We recall the story of Neptune
| drying up Inachus. Bat when Xerxes wanted
to cross the Hellespont he was obliged to con-
struct temporary bridges. No miracle awaited
Washington when it was so necessary for him
to reach Che opposite side of the Delaware.
d. The Crossing acas Miracle
!. There was no aid of wind, and no sub
sidence of tide could serve, as in passing over
the Red Sea.
2. A notice of three days was given in adj
vance. (See 1:2)
| 3. The crossing was in midday.
| A. The water was at its highest point.
5. There were witnesses. The whole host OF
| the Israeites could not be deceived. Then the
| enemies who were interested in covering M
| the incident saw the wonderful proceeding,
| and all admitted the fact.
| 5. Objects Of the Miracle
! 1. To cross tho river. There was no other
practical way to the opposite side, and it was
| very important they reach the territory on the
west side.
q To strike fear in the hearts of the Canaan
| ties. 1t was we'll the enemies of the Israelites
| became dazed and somewhat demoralized
/ They thus he'd less heart to resist the incoming
of the millions of apparent intruders.
| 8. To magnify Joshua in the eyes not only Of
| Canaanites but of his own people. He was their
leader, and that in critical, trying days Moses
| had had their hearts. 1t was necessary their
| trust and confidence be transferred to Joshua
| (3:7)
f. To magnify God. There were gods many
in those times, and he generally had the great
est following who was most mighty in the eye.
| Of the people. Jehovah would retain the faitf
of the people in him, and keep them from be
coming allied to the heather gods of the ma
tions in and about Canaan.
5. To give Israeltes bravery, courage and
fortitude for the many perious scenes aud try
ing times through which they were to pass. Il
| was much for them to realize Jehovah was on
their side and opposed to their enemies.
6. TO give cheer to the Church in all aftel
ages. Tho event serves to quicken our faith
| We have the same God and meet similar trials
Hence the utility of studying the incident
and of teaching it to our children. We rank
the mi racle among theevideuces in proof of tn,
divinity of our holy religion. After its study
on Sunday every one should feel greater conf
dence in Christianity and greater comfort il
| its promises.
g. Suggestions.
1. We must do our part in religious work
| The people were obliged to prepare food il
readiness to cross. Q:11.l When the rive
was divided they were required to arrang,
| their columns Systematically and march. Goo