Arise, Go Over This Jordan

by Sergio Valori

he people who stood with Joshua on the east side of Jordan had experienced a long and eventful history. They were now close to their ultimate destination and on the threshold of fulfilling their ordained purpose. Though many times along the way it appeared that God's program was stalled or irreparably damaged, here they now were, survivors, who had made it further than any other generation before them. That which previous generations had dearly held as covenant promises was about to become tangible reality to them. What a tremendous hour of opportunity!

It is our conviction that today's true Church in the earth stands in a similar position relative to God's full purpose, even at the 'open door' set before the overcoming church at Philadelphia. (Rev. 3:8) Although God will have a remnant from natural Israel grafted into the 'olive tree' to become part of the Church (Ro.11:23,24), natural Israel's history constitutes a blueprint for the Church. Even as they were saved out of Egypt and journeyed to the land of their inheritance, so the Church is on a journey from salvation to the consummation of God's full purpose. We, as they, have a unique destiny - appropriating the fullness of our inheritance in Christ. In tracing their steps, may light be shed on ours.

Their History

Following God's personal dealings with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Israel's history as a nation began when father Jacob led 70 souls from Canaan to Egypt. For 400 years, their stay in Egypt would be characterized by phenomenal numerical growth and providential blessing and protection. It was equivalent to a father nurturing his child unto the time of maturity and responsibility. (Note: Numerical growth, blessings and care are not ultimates, but simply preliminary means toward a much higher purpose.)

After the passing of Joseph, the new king adopted an altogether different attitude toward this growing nation within. Their great numbers and potential might posed a threat to him and the future of Egypt. Thus, they were enslaved, afflicted with hard labor and persecuted unto the death of their male children. The stage was now set for God to intervene, not only on behalf of their affliction, but on behalf of His purpose for them.

Their Salvation

When God heard their cries and saw that the destiny of His ordained people was in jeopardy, He implemented a plan of 'salvation', a means whereby they could be set free to fulfill the divine purpose. The judgment of Egypt and the salvation of God's people by applying the blood are well known facts to most Christians. They precisely foreshadow the work of Jesus on the cross, at which time He judged the prince of this world and shed His blood for our redemption. The people standing on the east side of Jordan knew well the events which climaxed by Pharaoh's army drowning in the Red Sea.

Their Baptisms

Let us note a reference to these events from 1 Corinthians 10:1,2: "...our fathers...were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea..." Although the Israelites walked through on dry ground, their passage through the Red Sea is referred to as a 'baptism'. In a sense, they passed through the waters and such passage was a vital part of their salvation or deliverance from Egypt. Thus, we can readily see a growing parallel between these events and the Christian's salvation experience. Just as the Israelites' baptism was part of their salvation from Egypt, so is water baptism vitally connected to the Christian's salvation experience. (See Acts 2:38)

Also, as Israel approached the wilderness after their Red Sea crossing, the Lord began to lead them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. (Ex.13:21) This arrangement is also referred to in 1 Corinthians 10:2 as a 'baptism'. Again, we see a remarkable parallel with the believer's experience and the course of the Church. After salvation from Egypt and baptism in water, Israel was now going to be led by the cloud of God's presence. The Lord's order for us Christians is exactly the same. After being saved and baptized in water, we are to receive the Holy Spirit into our lives so He can 'guide us into all truth'. (John 16:13) (Acts 2:38 also reveals an entwining of repentance, water baptism and Spirit baptism.)

Their Sanctification

When God met Moses at the burning bush and gave him his commission, He indicated there would be an appointment with His people at Sinai. (Ex.3:12) Although God did not originally intend for Israel to be in the wilderness for 40 years, He did intend to meet them at Sinai and then proceed from there. As with all God's appointments, there would be a purpose wrought at Sinai. This purpose had to do with their 'sanctification'. God said, "...if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me..." (Exodus 19:5)

The main intention for the giving of the law was the sanctification of God's people, that is, their being set apart from all the nations to be a special people for Himself. The summarizing statement of all the law was: 'ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.' (Lev. 11:45)

Very little is taught on sanctification today and such passages as 1Thessalonians 4:1-7 are all but ignored. Yet, the real truth is that without proper sanctification at work in our lives, there can be no advancement in God's purpose. You can be saved, blessed, feel good in meetings, exercise faith for many things, be ready for heaven, etc...but without holiness there is no progress and no going on in God. The appointment at Sinai must be kept.

The Wilderness Journey

What God was doing with His people in the wilderness is summed up in De.8:5: "Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God (was chastening) thee." (NE) In spite of their 400- plus year history, corporate Israel in the wilderness was still a child. They now had to undergo a process of chastening, or 'child-training' to bring about their maturity and prepare them for their mission in Canaan. Chastening - a combination of instruction, discipline, correction and training - cannot be bypassed if a child is to progress unto proper full stature.

As with Israel, so it is with the Church:

"...the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father..." (Gal.4:1,2)

"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?" (He.12:7)

Without chastening, a son cannot inherit, nor can he exercise himself in the privileges or responsibilities of heirship.

The Meaning of Jordan

After 42 wilderness journeys, Israel finally arrived at Jordan, close to the land of Canaan.

The river Jordan can be forded at several points and crossing it would ordinarily be quite manageable. Yet, in the timing of God, the rainy season had made its banks overflow and turned it into a mighty torrent. Crossing it was now humanly impossible. Nothing in the scope of the human or the natural could be implemented to get them to the other side. How very like God to create a condition making it imperative for his people to depend totally on Him!

In the crossing of Jordan, we see a principle which must be incorporated into our faith if we are ever to see the power and glory of God revealed. The word 'Jordan' means 'to descend, to go down' and indeed, God indicated that only if the priests went down into Jordan's waters would there be a passage to the other side. It was their stepping into the waters and remaining firm that would release God's might to create dry ground.

The principle of Jordan is equivalent to death and resurrection. It means the setting aside of all human resources, methods and abilities. God has repeatedly set this before us:

* When Jacob was about to face the wrath of Esau, God smote his strength at Jabbok, a tributary of the Jordan. It was then his name was changed to Israel, a prince with God. (Genesis 32)

* Naaman was healed of leprosy when he went down into Jordan. (Down from his own reasonings and pride.) (2 Kings 5)

* Jesus became full of the Holy Ghost after his descent into Jordan. (Luke 4:1)

* The power of Christ could be made manifest in Paul's ministry only through the constant buffeting of God's thorn in the flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

Crossing Jordan Today

We repeat, the people who were about to cross Jordan were a people saved, baptized in water and in the Spirit, sanctified at Sinai and characterized by a degree of maturity. Was there more for them? Most certainly. Had they reached their ultimate fulfillment? No, for their most glorious days lay ahead of them. Eventually, they were to become a kingdom and have dominion over many nations! The ultimates of the Abrahamic covenant (naturally speaking) had not yet been achieved.

And so it is with the church today. Though we be saved, baptized, blessed and matured a bit, there is much that lies ahead. According to Hebrews 3 and 4, an 'entering in' still awaits us. Like Israel, the Church must appropriate her full inheritance in Christ and be brought to 'kingdom status'. God's promises to the overcoming church (Rev. 2 & 3) must become experiential realities. Out of gross darkness must arise the light of God's glory on the Church.

The church scene today sadly projects a repulsive display of man's strength - human programs and talent, great intellects, worldly music and methods, professionalism, hype and entertainment and much wealth. A subtle mixture of flesh and soul has replaced God's true presence and working of the Holy Spirit. Though man wants his Ishmaels to be anointed and used to further his own kingdoms, God is saying they must all go down into death. There is no other passageway to God's ultimate purposes. We must arise and go over this Jordan!