IF the line of Joshua and the sword (as in the book of Joshua) be insisted on without being accompanied with the line of the Ark, with its “cherubim of glory” and Eleazar, all must end in failure.
Indeed, we see in the history of the route of the Ark-as in Jordan, to Shiloh; then, when Shiloh was forsaken by Jehovah (1 Sam. 4; Psa. 78:60-7260So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. 62He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. 63The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. 64Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation. 65Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. 66And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach. 67Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: 68But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. 69And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. (Psalm 78:60‑72); Jer. 26:66Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. (Jeremiah 26:6)), carded to Zion (2 Sam. 6; Heb. 126For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6)), where full and completely unlooked-for grace shone forth, when " worm Jacob " was wholly ruined; we see, I say, this remarkable feature in the Ark's history —it always brings out the glory of grace. On it moves, after its construction by Bezabel and Aholiab, until it frees Rahab (see Acts 15:1111But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11); Rom. 15:15, 1615Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:15‑16); Col. 2:66As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (Colossians 2:6), &c.); passing onwards, as it then vanishes in the book of Joshua, till Rahab's son David (through Ruth the Moabitess and Boaz) dances before it; not with " those who delight in war," but with the harp, and timbrel, and trumpets. Such is sovereign grace on the basis of divine righteousness. Korah's son (Num. 26:1111Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. (Numbers 26:11); 1 Chron. 6:33-3733And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, 34The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, 35The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, 36The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, (1 Chronicles 6:33‑37); Rom. 11:5, 65Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:5‑6)) anoints Rahab's son with the crown of " oil," and the God who dwells between the cherubim (Psa. 80:1,21<<To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-eduth, A Psalm of Asaph.>> Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. 2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. (Psalm 80:1‑2)) leads him on till he lays the Ark in its tabernacle on the height of Zion." “The sons of Korah ' had songs " inspired for them also (Psa. 422My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:2) &c. &c.).
Now, it seems to me, that, in Acts, we have the two lines divided-the line of Joshua and the sword, and the Ark and its " cherubim of glory " and Eleazar. This being so, Jerusalem becomes an earthly religious center; Paul is even snared thereby, and the apostle of the circumcision, Peter, is well nigh the ruin of Antioch (see Gal. 2); the assembly which gives us the line of the Ark and Eleazar, through Shiloh to Zion.
Reuben, and all " the mighty men of war," had to move on before the Ark as it silently went round Jericho, and learn that they were not needed as warriors there. The shout when it did arise there, was the result of victory won—the Lord had given Israel the city. Rahab saw even more, as actually accomplished (Josh. 2:99And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. (Joshua 2:9)). In 1 Sam. 4 we see an attempt made to have the shout first and fighting afterward, Reubenite fighting too (contrast 1 Sam. 4:55And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. (1 Samuel 4:5) and Josh. 6:1010And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. (Joshua 6:10)). The Ark in all its solitary power must do all, and hence the grace following must be magnificent. Rahab and her whole household come forth, and “the scarlet sign" has its wondrous effect. “In the midst of Israel " does she " dwell." Achan had, as it were, ruined the responsible camp-he who was the son of him (Zerah) who had the scarlet thread bound on his hand. Thus Rahab follows the line of the Ark; the power of grace and glory now on the basis of the silence of the cross. Such, I believe, is Antioch in Acts.
Stephen sees the heaven opened; there “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God " is displayed. In silence the weakness of the cross and the power of resurrection shall move on; the energy to pull down, nay, which ken pulled down Satan's fortress, Jericho, is in glory (see 1 Cor. 15:57; 157But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Corinthians 3:10) John 5:4; 4:44For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (John 5:4)
4And he must needs go through Samaria. (John 4:4)). Hence, as we follow Acts 8:44Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:4), then 11:19-26, we see the outcasts moving on, till the man of goodness and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, comes, and with gladness sees " the grace which (evidently) was of God." Barnabas carried away in the Jerusalem stream with Mark; we find a Silas and Timothy lei on in the blessed line of full grace and the energy of “the Spirit of Jesus." For, we are warned in Acts 14And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (Acts 1:4), that Theophilus was instructed in all that HE, “Jesus began both to do and teach" (Isa. 42:1, 21Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. (Isaiah 42:1‑2)). Even " the apostles " then were painfully imbued with the desire for outward manifestation of things on earth; they said, " Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? " “Jesus" is the name to follow in Acts, if we want the line of heavenly blessing and grace. Stephen saw “Jesus " in glory, and "the Spirit of Jesus " led Paul to Philippi.
There we see the apostle among a few women-all weakness on man's side. Down comes Jericho's strength, and out comes the freed Gentile, too, as praises of triumph arise from Paul and Silas. They celebrate the victory of the Ark (utter weakness on the human side, full power on the divine side), and pass on.
But, on the other hand, the history of Jerusalem in Acts is solemn. It is evident that " they who seemed to be somewhat " welt not warring (for men of war were needed in Joshua, if Shiloh and Eleazar and the Ark were fully owned), as coming out from the One " who dwelled' between the cherubims "-HEAVEN being the place where the Ark rested—" the height of Zion " for us now (Jer. 31 Heb. 12). They sought to make Jerusalem a sort of metropolitan assembly. They slave to Peter and his line. Of course he had “the keys of the kingdom of the heavens” given him; and very beautiful Acts 2. comes in in its place.
But Rahab must be acknowledged, too, and Achan is there (Acts 5). Did not the apostles own Antioch? Yes.
But we find Peter not acting as Barnabas and Silas did in Acts 11 How solemn. He was the first apostle; and he is carried away by ordinances and the outward; so that Paul has to " withstand him to the face." The earthly swayed him; he overlooked the Ark on " the height of Zion." The heavenly was fully owned at Antioch, and the earthly too (Acts 11:29; 15:28-3129Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: (Acts 11:29)
28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. (Acts 15:28‑31)).
But even Shiloh was forsaken by Jehovah, and He “refused the tabernacle of Joseph." Yet the features of an Antioch can still be revived—like the remnant in Thyatira. Zion arose when Shiloh was forsaken. For, “ye are come "—beyond Shiloh—" unto Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem." Rahab's son arose then. Richer blessing than ever sprang up then. A Hannah triumphs and gives the shout because she rejoices in the Lord's salvation (1 Sam. 2:11And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. (1 Samuel 2:1)). Is not this Rahab once more? Is not Samuel, the praying (not, as Samson, the slaying) Nazarite, the one of silent power? All was in ruin then, the outward crushing and warring, but not in the line of the Ark. The sword was owned, indeed, but—though ostensibly in Jehovah's battles—it availed not. They had only an Ai in Judges (20).
Hannah fought not with that line of things. Nay, she says and sings, “The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength." The Lord does all for her; He kills, and makes alive; He takes up the poor and the beggar. “By strength shall no man prevail."
The principle and grace of Antioch never can fail us. The crowd that believed there, clave unto the Lord, they had neither a Peter nor Paul there then. To " cleave unto the Lord" (it is the same form of expression as we find in Matt. 15:3232Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. (Matthew 15:32)), gets wondrous blessing. He may try our faith, as we " continue with (or cleave unto) Him the three days,' and seem to get nothing."
But Antioch got good food at last, even Paul was brought to them to aid.
But what if we cannot have the line of the sword and the mighty men of war, as in Joshua's days?
What, if a Saul, as in Samuel's days, monopolize it?
What if a Joab take Jerusalem (1 Chron. 11:66And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. (1 Chronicles 11:6))? We can own the silent power of “the ark" still. Thus, “while kings with their armies flee apace, she that tarries at home" may have “spoil" to divide. The Ark is the theme of Psa. 686God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. (Psalm 68:6) A man—" the man Christ Jesus," was " crucified in weakness." Now, “He lives by the power of God." Weakness and need follows that line.
This is the Antioch-lime. At first “those who were scattered abroad " (too weak to remain at Jerusalem), feared because of " the Jews " (compare Acts 11:1919Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (Acts 11:19), and Rev. 3:99Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9)). Then “some of them” took courage (having, perhaps, no characters to sustain), and preached to any of the Rahab family they found. " The hand of the Lord was with them," and a blessed result followed. Jerusalem, it is true, gets uneasy; but sovereign grace conquers.
Thank God we need own no Jerusalem now-a-days, even though a would-be Jerusalem arise. We have no apostles on earth who might act as Peter did then. Now their writings will not make us err, but we may profit by their failures, while grace would make us hide them. May we be warned by all that Luke wrote in Acts. He told Theophilus of " Jesus," and all He began to do, and teach; while he dwelt not on the failures—leaving silent spiritually to see them. Was it not as much as saying—" Even if thou findest Peter or a Paul, in my second treatise, wavering or going wrong, or forming any Jerusalem on earth, be warned. Go on with what " Jesus began." He is to lead on. I brought you to the rent wail in Luke 24-displayed the ark and Eleazar, there, and " the chariot of the cherubim" too. Follow whither He leads, though in God's rest there (Read Psa. 132:7-187We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. 8Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. 9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. 10For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. 11The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. 13For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. (Psalm 132:7‑18)), let thy Gilgal be a result be a relationship which the ark maintains whence He rests."
" Thus saved by grace we'll gladly sing,
Till all tile heavens and earth shall ring
With Grace triumphant reigns! "