ISRAEL were at Kadesh, on the borders of the sunny land of promise. Only a small strip that bonged to Edom barred the way, and through it ran “the king’s highway"; only a few steps more and they would be home at last. But the king of Edom had refused to let them pass through his land, and God ordered it so. He did not let His people take the short cut.
It was not His mind that His redeemed people should enter the land by that way. Two more years of the wilderness testings and trials still remained, yet in the midst of those humbling experiences was revealed one of the most precious types of Scripture — the brazen serpent, type of Christ lifted up upon the cross for sin. It was only after Israel learned afresh the lesson of their own hearts and that of the brazen serpent that they really ban to make progress on the journey.
So instead of traversing Edom they had to go southward and around Mount Seir and then turn northward along the eastern side of the Jordan. God’s purpose was that to enter the land they must cross the Jordan with its dried up waters. And here we have another wonderful type set forth. The Jordan speaks of our death and resurrection with Christ, the only way by which God’s redeemed people now can enter in and enjoy their heavenly possessions.
Now Aaron dies, and Moses was soon to follow. Aaron’s beautiful garments were put upon Eleazar his son, and it was he who under God gave instructions to their new leader Joshua, for taking possession of the land. Israel mourned for Aaron, but they were soon to enter the land, and God was breaking the links that connected them with the wilderness.
In the passing of Aaron and Moses Israel would be made to feel that the wilderness was a changing scene. Those leaders they had looked up to and leaned on were gone — but God remained. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were the ever present token of His abiding presence. He was journeying with His people, indeed His love would not rest until He had brought them into that good land and set them down in the midst of all their promised blessings.
How often when death claims a loved one, perhaps a dear father or mother, or one of our leaders, someone we have loved and leaned on, we are reminded that this is a changing scene: “here we have no continuing city"; but Christ abides, and “He is the Same, yesterday, today, and forever.” He has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5,8,145Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)
14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14)). He is going to bring us safe Home at last.
When Aaron passed away, Israel lost their sympathizing priest, but we shall never lose Christ. Our wilderness needs will be at an end when He comes to take us into the heavenly land. But the same blessed Lord, whose sympathies and love sustained us here below, will mister to our joy and happiness throughout that long and blest eternity.
ML-02/17/1974