The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-11

THE SUNDAY-sCHO0L LESSON.
Oct. IL, 19O2-Crossing the Jordan
Joshua iii, 9-17.

England. behind her bulwark of the sea. could
not lie more complacent than the Canaanites. so
long as their natural barrier stood between
them and the Hebrew hosts. This river. APPLY
called the Descender, was running bank full
mile wide. and in depression 200 feet deep.
jeremiah afterward took this torrent as last
test of fortitude. saying: What wilt thou do
in the swelling of Jordan?''
True Joshua's spies had reported the wide
spread trepidation among the Canaanites. aptly
expressed by Rahab in the words: "our hearts
did melt" but when they saw these mighty
iegions going into camp where the river
running widest the natural Inference was that
they intended to tarry there until the flood sub
sided So they anticipated a considerable post
ponement of the invasion.
What must have been the CONSERVATION of
the native scouts and outposts as, from acacia
jungle or rocky watchtower. they saw their
enemies breaking camp! The tent-stakes are
drawn, the goodly curtains of the Lords taber-
nacle are folded UP and the tribes assume their
relative marching positions. But they face not
to the north, If they intended to make the
circuit of the headwaters of the river; to
the south, as IL their purpose was to march to
the Dead sea-they front squarely toward Jor-
dan itself.
And now a people schooled to maryels wit
ness one of the most stupendous miracles of
their whole history. A finishing stroke is given
to the small courage remaining In the heart Of
their enemy.
The ark OF the presence and covenant of God.
not wrapped in its curtains. as usual. but un-
covered and its golden surface glitterng in the
sunlght-nut carried by common Levites, as
was won't but by the holier hands of priests-is
borne not in the center OF the hosts, as Or
dinarily but a thousand yards in advance, and
SO in fullest view Of every eye. Under the
spreading wings Of the cherubim, with their
golden feathers Gods people safe from
food and foe alike. He covers them that day
with His feathers, and under His wings they
trust.
When the sacred saudaled feet of the priests.
bearing aloft the glittering palladium of Israel,
dipped into that trimming. foaming, impossible
torrent the floods stood still in the presence OF
their Maker Jordan between Israel and the
Canaanites availed the latter nothing. But the
ark between Israel and Jordan the safe
guard of the former. The floods of great waters
could not come nigh.
A river with average fall Of sixty feet &c
the mile surpassed In this respect by only one
other river in the world. would quickly empty
its channel. There was left bed of sand.
mixed with grayel-hard, clean and compare
lively dry and stretching southwark far as
the eye could reach
On that snowy, sparkling beach stood the
chosen priests, firm-footed, holding aloft the
glittering ark against the wall OF water tower
ing above them. Goodly, inspiring. significant
sight
And now that never-to-be forgotten march
through Gods viaduct began. Tribe after tribe
the Lion tribe judah In the van-women and
children, focks and herds. and all the impedi-
menta of the camp, came safely to tie goodly
land whose possession the sons OF Abraham had
anticipated for 400 years.
Mosess and Miriams voices were hushed in
death. but their psalms sung on the hither
side of the Red sea. lived in the peoples mem
ory II there was inspired psalmist 10 cee-
brate with a new song the dividing of Jordan.
they could at least adapt the old pean to this
new occasion:
will sing unto the Lord
The Lord is my strength and song.
| And He is become my salvation
Thru in Thy mercy, hast led forth
| THE neople thou hast redeemed.
| Thou hast guided them in Thy strength
| Into Thy holy habitation-
| The people shall hear and be afraid.
| sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants
| OF Palestina-
| All the Inhabitants OF Canaan shall melt away;
Fear the dread fall upon them