CONTENTS This is as memorable a Chapter of the Lord's dealings with his people, as perhaps any in the Old Testament. And as there can be no doubt but that it is typical of yet greater mercies to be manifested in the New, it demands the attention of every believer more particularly. We have containe... [ Continue Reading ]
Joshua had told the people, (Joshua 1:11.) that they were to pass over Jordan. But it doth not appear that they were informed how. Reader! it is good to have faith exercised. Abraham was not told that a ram would be provided when the Lord led him to the mount of sacrifice. Moses had no consciousness... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus is the ark of his people. In him as in the ark of old, are lodged the tables of the law, and the mercy seat from whence God speaks. My soul! when the Holy Ghost gives me to see him before me, may I follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. And Reader! do observe, this ark is called the ark of th... [ Continue Reading ]
The distance pointed out is striking. I do not think as some have supposed, that the distance ordered between the ark and the people, was that the multitude which followed might not crowd upon one another, so as to prevent the whole from seeing. But I rather think that there was somewhat typical and... [ Continue Reading ]
This sanctifying the people meant to set themselves apart from all worldly concerns. It is suitable and proper to withdraw from communion with men, in order to enjoy communion with God. And when our God is about in a more especial manner to come to bless his people, well may they be found waiting th... [ Continue Reading ]
I would have the Reader remark with me that the priests, and not the Levites, were here appointed to the service of carrying the ark. See Numbers 4:15. Was not this to show that Jesus in his priestly office, and not the law which the Levites represented, must go in before the people! Under the law t... [ Continue Reading ]
God had before honoured Joshua when returning from searching out the promised land. But not in so eminent a manner as now. I hope the Reader in keeping his eye all along upon Joshua as a type of the ever blessed Jesus, will not forget that it was from the same river of Jordan, and on the entrance of... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! while looking at the letter of the precept, on the feet of the priests touching the river, do not overlook that sacred ark, the type of Jesus, as being with them? And though there were to be twelve men to attend the priests, yet these were as witnesses of the miraculous deed to be done that... [ Continue Reading ]
We shall have a much better apprehension of the greatness of this miracle, if we call to mind some of the circumstances connected with it. Jordan, at this time, overflowed, from the mountains of ice which came down from Mount Lebanon being now melted, and had poured themselves into the bosom of Jord... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader, seek grace from God the Holy Ghost to read the whole of this sweet scripture spiritually, and with an eye to God's mercy in Jesus. As Jordan ' s sacred stream retired, to make way for the ransomed to pass over; and as the priests ' feet stood firm in the river until all was accomplished; so,... [ Continue Reading ]