The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-11


filed. 1t must have been with much ex-
hlaration that the throng pressed for
ward in the prepared pathway, all doubt
and fear dismissed.
THE DEFENSE.-,versc l7)--On reach
ing the middle of Jordan. the priests
stood still holding the ark of the coven-
ant. On their right hand were the up.
heaved waters. n wall keeping back the
floods. On their left was the open bed of
the river spreading away toward the
south, Before them was Canaan, and be-
hind them was Moab. Pressing onward
oneithcr side were the mon. women. chill
dren. cattle and other possessions of Is
rael And there the priests remained un-
til all had gone over This was the mode
of defense. An object lesson was pre-
scnted to every soul. 1t was God who
protected his people while they fastened
with joyful step toward the land of their
hopes psalm SXiii:D. His mighty hand
intcrposcd so that the floods did not over
whcm them. The spectacle ought to
have made Il powerful and lasting impress
sion upon every mind. Thenceforward
that ark ought to have been cherished
as the one most sacred thing. and with
feelings of vcncration and Thanksgiving
every eye ought to have turned toward
the place where the sacred chest was
deposited Josh. vi:lD. What wonder
that this ark was carried with confidence
into battle.
THE TWELNE.-tvcrsc / and 2.)-The
tribal idea entered largely into Biblical
history. Beginning with the sons Of
Jacob. who were blessed by their father
ut the time of his death Gen. SliN:3-2s,.
the families were kept distinct all
through the soiourn in Egypt and the
exodus aud wandering. They were
planted in Canaan as a sacred confeder-
acy. united but ever separate. They
made possible in the national life traits
OF character and forms of achievement
which otherwise would never have been
attained. Even the Christian church, the
new Israel. was built on the idea. the: g
being twelve apostles Matt KID. On
whom rested the foundation of the king
dom Uiph. ii:20). In the passage of the
Jordan. the tribes were also recognized.
One man of the common people was Sc
lected out of each tribe to be the last
that should cross the river. 1t is sup
posed that the twelve stood about the
priests who bore the ark witnessing all
the events of the day, and then that they
retired to express to all their neighbors
and children the sense of profound graft
tude that filed their hearts.
THE sTONE.-(verses 3. 4, 5)-Those
Jordan empty handed With the tramp
of conquerors they marched after the
ark. each bearing upon his shoulder II
huge boulder taken out of the place
where the feet of the priests had rested.
This was done at the command of Joshua.
who must have received the order from
God. It was part of the method by
which the crossing was effected. the real
design in the appointment of the twelve
men (Josh. iii:12)-twelve stones, twelve
men. twelve tribes--the number was sa-
cred. Ishmael had twelve sons tGen.
Nvii:2O. There were twelve wells of
water at Film ZEN. Nv:2O. and twelve
bowls and twelve spoons We're devoted to
the altar Numb. vi:sl. Solomon had
twelve officers over Israel uNings iv:D.
elisha plowed with twelve yoke of oxen
Il Kings xiX:19>. Twelve goats We're a
complete sin Offering uIzra vi:1O. There
are twelve gates in the new Jerusalem
(Rev. XXi.12).
THE MONUMENT.-(Ncrs 6 and %
There stones from the bed of Jordan
were carried to Gilgal Josh. iv:2O.
place in the valley near Jericho. the site
of the first camp of the Israelites in
Canaan. There they were builded to-
gcther in a heap, kind of rude monu-
ment, designed TO commemorate the pas
sage over the river. In like manner, 1t
was customary and it is to this day in
all parts of the east, to erect some suit
able structure that shall tell to posterity
the important events of the past. Jacob
directed his brethren to gather stones
(Gen. xXXiiG), in testimony of the recon-
ciliation between him and Laban, his
fathcr-in-law. 1t was announced that the
heap at Gilgal should be IL memorial to
all after generations. The children, on
asking their origin and Significance.
should be informed. In this way, this
wonderful deed should be kept in men,
ory. transmitted by word of mouth from
century to century through all the future
years. awakening the spirit of reverence
and gratitude.
THE REFLECTIONS S-I.et the student
sit down by himself in n quiet place aHd
suffer the events of the lesson to pass
slowly through the mind, and let each
point be held in studious contemplation.
Among other reflections, there will doubt
less occur: 1.--Those who would bring
great things to pass must rise early and
observe the Lords will. 2.-lsrael fol-
lowed the priests because they followed
the ark-we must follow ministers, as
they follow Christ. I've cannot go far
astray in keeping the ordinances of God.
In doing so, We need not fear the rivers
of trouble, or the mountains of difficulty,
or the hosts of opposing foes. l.-Eyen
when no ark is present, where there is
nothing appealing to the senses, the Lord
still goes before his people. 5.-As Israel
went through Jordan dry-shod, so may
we pass through many dangers un-
harmed. G.-God's wonderful works ought
to he kept in remembrance. The fathers
ought to publish them to their children
(Deut. vi:2Il.