If I ask your attention to the fact, that the epistles usually applied to elucidate the typical meaning of Joshua, are the Romans, Colossians, and Ephesians (and rightly too), and that neither of these touches Priesthood, as such, you will not wonder at my asking, whether there is not yet an epistle, which as distinctly concerns itself with priesthood, and the Ark, on its passage “out of the wilderness,” into “the promised rest?” Of course my own mind turns to “the Hebrews,” and particularly as embracing these two points, viz., “the time of need,” and “entering into God’s rest.” In continuance I may add, that “the heavenly calling” in no way interferes with the Colossian, or Ephesian truth, or to the Son of man in, heaven, or the sitting in heavenly places; but on the contrary, supplies what is wanting between them and the Romans.
Indeed, I have followed with delight the antitypical Ark (as the Messiah, of the remnant) and as the covenant of “the Lord your God,” as well as “the God of the whole earth,” through the descending steps of the first chapter, with “His fellows,” under the anointing of the oil of gladness! How the “Ark of the covenant” is seen to be of fine gold, within and without, as the Messiah walked forth in the midst of the earth, as He “who loved righteousness and hated iniquity.” When His path too lay in the midst of “enemies, who are to be made His footstool!”—See Joshua.
The “great salvation, which began to be spoken by the Lord” beautifully begins the second chapter, between God and His people, with “the captain of our salvation,” who meets the swellings of Jordan, and “destroys him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and delivers them who through fear of death were subject to bondage.”
Our leader and commander, is “made perfect through sufferings” by the way of the Red Sea, and now in the overflow of Jordan. Moreover, as to the redeemed, “He who sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified are all of one,” as identified with Christ, like the twelve stones set up in the river, and the twelve carried out—for “which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren,” &c. Besides this, we find in chapter 2 the “appointed heir of all things” in dominion, according to the 8th Psalm, and extending over the whole inheritance of land and sea. “Though we see not yet all things put under Him,” &c., &c. “It became Him for whom are all things,” &c. is a splendid beginning of the way across Jordan, and by which to bring “the many sons unto glory.” It is initiatory!
Thus in connection with these two titles, or relations of God to the people by the Ark, in chapter 1 by the Messiah, and Son—and then its passage through the depths and swellings of Jordan, with “the heirs of promise,” into the inheritance “of God’s rest,” as in chapter 2—this priesthood becomes established, and the “holy brethren” are met by “the apostle and high priest of our profession” on the other side.
I think, “Shiloh, with the tabernacle” in the land were as necessary to Eleazar and the heirs for sustaining their relations with Jehovah as were Joshua and Gilgal for circumcision and the power of the Spirit in conflict, and for “driving out the enemies,” but I stop myself. J. E. B.