Chapter 4
Those twelve stones taken from the dry bed of the river and set up in Gilgal, testified of the mighty power of God in cutting off the waters of death before the ark of His presence. Twelve in number, one for each tribe, they declared that all Israel had entered into Canaan. When set up together within the land, they were a witness to Israel’s oneness. Thus they were a memorial of the Lord’s great work for His people in bringing them into the fullness of their blessing.
God did not order that nine and a half stones should be set up in Canaan and two and a half on the other side of the river. He purposed that all Israel should be united within the land. The two and a half tribes might choose to dwell on the other side of Jordan; they might not practically come up to the full measure of the blessing God had for them in Canaan, still those twelve stones within the land told of their oneness with their brethren there, regardless.
And here we have set forth in type long before, the purpose of God for His people now. The Church is one body in heavenly places. We are “quickened together,... raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This is the blessed work of the Spirit of God and founded on the redemptive work of Christ.
Perhaps (like the two and a half tribes of Israel) some members of the Church might take a position which denies the oneness of the body, still as being united to Christ they belong to the undivided company. They might lose the enjoyment of their heavenly portion as long as they live below their privileges, nevertheless God will not be turned aside in His purposes of blessing. Divisions may spoil the beauty of the work of God in the Church on earth, still Christ is not divided, and in heaven that perfect oneness will be seen, and the beauty and glory of the work of God will be displayed in the Church.
The men were to carry those stones on their shoulders, and they illustrate what we, the Lord’s people, should be as we walk through this world: “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:1010Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:10). We are dead and risen with Christ, but this calls for self-denial and dying to the world through the power of His death.
As soon as the feet of the priests bearing the ark were lifted up on dry land, then the waters of the Jordan returned and swept on as before. As soon as the ark was gone, the power of death was as great as ever. Only in Christ we are safe.
The tide of death and judgment flows on as terrible as ever. Only those in Christ find there is no power in death for them, because Jesus has abolished death and brought life and incorruptibility to light through the gospel. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).
O may the life which now on earth I live
Be spent for Him, who His for me did give;
O make me, Lord, in all I will or do
Ever keep Thy glory in my view.
And when my course is run, and fought the fight,
Life’s struggle o’er, and faith is changed to sight,
Then, all-triumphant, I shall ever be,
Safe in Thy home, for I belong to Thee.
ML-05/01/1977