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The Tabernacle of all Israel," so the people would know that he had been commissioned by Jehovah to lead His people into the land of Canaan. As the feet of the priests, who bore the ark of the covenant, rested in Jordan, the waters stood "upon an heap," while the people "passed over on dry ground" into the Promised Land. The ark was the symbol of God's power and guidance; for He said, "Ye have not passed this way heretofore" (Josh. 3:4). That is why He went before them to show them the path He had chosen for them. The "priests' feet stood firm" in "the midst of Jordan" "until all the people were passed clean over Jordan" (Josh. 3: 17; 4: 3). Through the waters of death a redeemed nation entered into the land of cov- enant promise. Now the very name "Jordan" signifies "river of judg- ment." It separated Canaan from the wilderness. There was no bridge above it. Israel had to go down into the river with the ark. Even so our Lord Himself went into the place of death, going before us, tasting "death for every man." By faith in His cross, we, too, are identified with Him in His death and resurrection. The ark went before Israel to show the way; our Lord is Himself "The Way ... unto the Father." He went into Jordan for us. There- fore, we can say, with David, "Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23 :4). Therefore, we can sing the song of faith, "On Jordan's stormy btmks I stand, And cast a wishful eye To Canaan's fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie.
264 The Tabernacle come from Aaron's family, set themselves up as God's representatives. What inconsistency! What an insult to Jehovah! The law of Moses (including the Levitical priest- hood) was but "a shadow of good things to come" in Christ Jesus, our Lord. The Levitical order, the Jewish ritual, the animal sacrifices, the burning of incense-all these shadows of the cross were done away in Christ- forever done away! God rent the temple veil in twain; and He did not intend that man should sew it together! He opened "the way into the holiest" by the blood of His cross. What mockery to seek a miserable imitation of something which God has forever set aside! The Lord Jesus is our Priest. We need none other! Let us beware- and warn others--of "the gainsaying of Korab." The Ark in Israel's Later History Over a long period of Israel's history the ark of the covenant was closely linked with the spiritual life of the nation. To understand something of the significance God placed upon this sacred, gold-covered chest, we need to know many details in the later history of His chosen peo- ple. We shall take only a brief glance at six important incidents, any one of which would be a lesson all by itself. There are other Old Testament references to the ark; but we mention only these here, in passing, because no study of the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat of gold would be complete without them: 1. Deliverance through Jordan. In the third and fourth chapters of Joshua we read about the miraculous deliverance of Israel through the waters of Jordan, as the ark of the covenant went before them, to show them "the way" by which they should go (Josh. 3 :4). Moses was dead, and God wanted to "magnify" Joshua "in the sight
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