The Brinkley argus., 1913-11-28
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 3(
CROSSING THE JORDAN.

CROSSING SSoSse
 LESSON TExT-Joshua 3:7-n.
 GOLDEN TExT-"Fear thou not Tor l am with thee."-Isa. H:10.
 The spies sent out by Joshua (ch. 2) were animated by quite different motive than that which governed those who first visited Canaan, ana they brought back a much dineren. report (Num. oh. 13). The story or their experience in Jericho with HA- hab. their escape from her house, and the incident of the ''scarlet thread, will prove an interesting introduction for today's lesson. There are two suggestions in the preparation for the crossing of the Jordan mentioned ln the first seven verses of this chapter: CD It was to be an orderly advance (v. A.: no disorderly crowding about those who led. This was also to be sure path, though they had not passed that way before, for God was leading. (2) It was to be a prayerful advance (v. 5. Literally, they were to un- dertake great things for God and to expect great things from God.
 Jesus Must Lead.
 I. Tho Leader, w. 2, 8. The cir cumstances surrounding this episode are far different from those at tho crossing of the Red sea. Moses eD. counter with Pharaoh had stamped him as the one who should save the nation. True, in the battles and 1n his association with Moses Joshua had occupied position of leadership but now he is to deliver Israel from the death of the wilderness into the life and possessions of Canaan, hence the words, q will magnify thee in the sight of all Israel" It is notice able, however, that Joshua did not lead this forward march, but rather the priests. The ark which they bore is a type of Christ and he must al- ways lead. Jehovah magnified Joshua because Joshua had magnified Jeho- yah, see l. Sam. 2:30, John 17:4, 5.
 II. Those Led, w. 9-13. Joshua at once communicates Jehovah's order for forward march to the people u. Thess. 2:13). But God graciously &C., companies his word by visible mani festation of his presence (v. 10, 1D of. I. John 1:1, Col. 2:9. It was tho word and presence of the living God" (v. 10) that was to work this miracle, and to accomplish the victo- rious possession of the land in ac- I{ This lesson is great lesson or types. God, through the leading Of his priests bearing the ark Ca type of Christi, leads man from the failures of his wilderness experience, through death (the ordan), into newness Of life Canaan, Rom. 6:4, g. Previous ly the mention of the names of these enemies (v 10) had so frightened Israel that they turned aside in . panic, but Israel had been learning in the bitter school of discipline and failure. "The Lord of all the earth" (v. ID is to lead, why then fear? There was, however, to be test, viz, the path was not to open until their feet were in the waters. There was no such test at the Red sea, for they did not then have sufficient faith, l. Cor. 10:13. I. Peter IT.
 israeI's One Way.
 ill. The Dry Ground, w. 14-17. Up until the moment they stepped into the water, priest and people alike re- lied upon the bare word of Jehovah, I. Sam. 15:22. We, too, will surely dnd way of escape if we yield him implicit obedience, Isa. 43:2; l. Cor. 10:13. AS if to heighten this miracle we need to remember 1t was the sea- son of flood tide (v. 15). The river Jordan is a great type of the judg- ment passed upon sin. Verse sixteen tells us that the waters were backed up beyond "the city of Adam" Our Joshua delivers not only us from all sin but his deliverance Is also sum- cient for the whole human race, Heb. 9:2s, I. John IT. Our del1verance is complete, let us praise him. The Jordan would not. however, have opened had those bearing the ark paused upon the bank. The people could not have been delivered except as the ark remained in the river bed. Jesus went into the waters for us, 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13 He has con.
 demned sin for us, Rom. 8:3. He alone has opened pathway for our deliverance. There was no other way whereby Israel could be delivered and
 further they were delivered right against Jericho" (v. 16) viz, before their next big task, and "all the na- tion were passed clean over Jordan (v. ID, John 17:12.
 Representatives of each tribe (ch 4) carried from the river twelve stones for the building of an altar so that the history of that deliverance might be perpetuated
 w. The lesson. In this lesson we are brought. in company with Israel, into the land at last. Abraham saw
 and believed Jacob and his sons left it when threatened with moral
 contamination and physical death
 Much has happened since that time
 but Gods purposes have gone on un. changed. Nor has Jehovah ever been
 defeated. Israel is delivered because
 in the language of Ps. 114:2. Judah
 became his sanctuary, Israel his do
 minion." Note how Ps. 114:3 united
 forty years of history. "The sea saw
 1t and fled: Jordan was driven back
 This Is the history of Israel.