“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:3-5
The “Priests” who carried the Ark on their shoulders, and the Staves on each side of the Ark were for that very purpose, were Types of Christ, Who Alone has the Glory of God represented by the Ark. Jesus said to the prospective Disciples, “Follow Me.” He is still saying the same thing to millions of people. Regrettably, far too many are following other things.
Entrance into the Promised Land pictured the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The wilderness experience proclaims life without this Baptism.
The Priests were to carry the Ark upon their shoulders. Both the Ark and the Priests were Types of Christ.
The people were to follow the Ark as it was carried by the Priests, yet there was to be a space of about a half mile between them and it. Due to the fact that the sin debt had not yet been paid, because the Cross was still in the future, mere mortals, except the designated Priests, could not come close to the Ark. Thank God, Calvary has changed all of that.
Since the Cross, we are invited to come boldly to the Throne of Grace, and to do so as often as we like. [Hebrews 4:16]
Before this journey, which would witness the miracle of the opening of the river Jordan, the people of Israel were to “sanctify themselves.” Under the Old Covenant, due to the fact that the Holy Spirit did not at that time reside within Believers. Because as stated the sin debt was not yet paid, Sanctification consisted mostly of externals. Now it is a Work of the Spirit, simply because the sin debt has been paid at Calvary.
The river Jordan did not open for the sake of the people, even as much as God loved them, but for the sake of the Ark, which was a Type of Christ.
In the Ark was Tablet on which the Ten Commandments was written representing God’s Word for every situation; Aaron’s rod that budded representing Authority over every situation; and Manna which they ate representing God’s Provision for every situation. The Ark of Covenant representing the very Presence of God.
Because of the Cross, now Christ lives in our hearts and lives, and does so through the Person of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 2:20). By virtue of me dying with Him on the Cross, and being raised with Him in Newness of Life. Consequently, we now have a much Better Covenant, based on Better Promises. The New Covenant, explicitly based on the cleansing and forgiveness of all sin, which the Old Covenant could not do. Because of the Cross, we are now able to come near. If the sinner comes by the Cross, the Holy Spirit opens the door, otherwise it is barred.
LET’S PRAY.
This morning, l pray, As you lay down your life and commit to follow Him, may He strengthen you for every good work. Beloved! If you really looked at your past, you will find that you have faced other moments more severe than the one you’re facing right now — and God never failed you or let you down. In fact, He delivered you and turned those situations around! Don’t ever forget what God has already done for you. Let those memories stir you up and encourage you to face your present dilemma with faith. God will fight your hidden battles and grant you victory in every areas of your life. He will stand by you and restore you in Jesus Mighty name. God shall empower you to overcome every challenges in your life in Jesus name. Amen Amen Amen! Fountain to your life.