The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-11
ct: CROSSING THE JoRDAN.-Jost

2 IQee.-lSa. 1914.
s (By Rev. =. E. GILBERT, D. D., Secretary
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THE CONTEST-The days that elapsed
after Gods command to Joshua, studied
last week, were given to preparation.
Reuben. Cad and the half tribe of Man
nasseh, whose possessions lay east OF the
Jordan, were instructed to cross the
river and help their brethren and then
return. Two spies were sent to Jericho
to learn the condition Of the city and
of the surrounding country On their
return all were greatly encouraged by
the report that the inha bitants were fear
full, an indication that God favored Is
rael and that the conquest might be cas-
lily accomplished. Breaking camp at
Shittem Israel approa ched the river and
there rested over the night. prepared TO
resume the forward movement In the
morning. The whole assembly engaged
in religious exercises, reconsecrating the
people to God, and finally, the Lord de-.
uvered a parting message to Joshua.
oversees and 81. promising to insure sue
cess.
THE PLEDGE-Werses and 1o) The
first five verses of our lesson contain
Joshau's address to the people IN Two
sections He invited all to assemble about
him and hear what the Lord had SAID
to him. and then pledged the presence
OF God as they entered Canaan, declar-
Ing that He would drive out the seven
nations then inhabiting the land, CEN.
xxxiii:2) This was a reiteratton or what
had been promised many times At that
particular moment it was most vel
fl,o orr
all. without it every one would have
been faint-hearted. It was highly I'M
eportant that this expedition should be
undertaken in a right spirit. Every
man must learn to look up and to ex-
pect help from above. Then the reli-
gious life of the nation would be quick
ened and the purpose OF God would De
promoted,-to raise up people Tor NM
self to be used by him in the accom-
plishment OF far reaching designs among
other peoples in all after centuries. 1t
was a sublime exhibition of confidence
when Joshua made this pledge and II
was accepted by Israel.
THE METHOD-Verses II. II. 13.) The
remainder OF Joshua's address was oc-
cupied with an account Of the method
OF crossing the Jordan. This was to pc
orderly so arranged as still further to
express the faith OF the people IN Cod
and cultivate their feeling OF depend
ence. There we're three features. each
important: First. The ark OF the cove
nant should go first into the JORDAN.
borne by the priests. (Verse ~ maj
signified divine precedence and leaoer-
ship. Surely the people would not Tear
to follow the ark, which contained the
charter Of the nation Second. AS soon
as the feet of the priests should rest IN
Jordan the waters would be divided and
a highway would be prepared for all to
pass over to the other side. This would
be miracle like that which enabled
Israel to cross the Red sea on leaving
Egypt, eek, xiv: 2D, a proof OF Goa
presence. Third. Twelve men, one from
each tribe. should be selected to witness
and afterward to testify to these oc-
curences The method Of procedure vir-
tually placed the entire expedition under
the direction Of Jehovah, so thats1srael
might forever after know that God led
them into the land.
THE PAssAGE-(verse Il, IS, *16.) The
speech OF Joshua ended, the rest OF this
third chapter is history, a record OF
what actually transpired. The precise
method as before outlined. was rol-
lowed and the results We're as predicted.
First came Lu6 pIlcSto OS&AA AAAS sAAS 49,
OF the covenant and behind them at
prescribed distance were the people.
GOSH, iii:4) The intervening space gave
emphasis to the promise OF presence ana
guidance When the priests dipped their
feet in the waters of the Jordan and IN
visible power stayed their flow. The up
per waters coming down from the sea
Of Galilee stood and rose being IN
creased by the flood from above ana
spread out over the surrounding country.
while the waters below continued their
| course to the Dead Sea. Gen, xlV:53
There was thus opened a passage way
| from bank to bank, along which the
hosts might march, the three millions
! into their promised possession. With
out human power all this was accom-
| plished. The prediction Of Joshua and
the promise OF Jehovah We're fulfilled.
II must have been with much exhilara-
ton that the throng pressed forward in
the prepared pathway, all doubt and fear
| dismissed
THE DEF ENSE-(verse I'D 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 wall keeping back the
l floods On their left was the open
bed Of the river spreading away towards
the south. Before them was Canaan.
and behind them was Moab. PRESSING
onward on either side were the mel.
women. children. cattle and other pos
sessions Of Israel. And there they 1e-
manned until all had gone over. This
was the mode OF defense. An object
| lesson was presented to every soul. II
WAS God who protected His people while
they FASTENED with joyful step toward
the land OF thsird hopes. Psalm. xxta:4o
] His mighty hand interposed so that the
floods did not overwhelm them. The
spectacle ought 20 have made q power
ful and lasting impression upon every
mind Thsnceforware that ark ought e
have been cherished IS the one most
sacred thing. and With AoalinS3 q vsn.
Grafton and thaplngisy11 svsfy eye