MOSES AND JESUS 2.2.3
261
on that foundation. By restoring the dispensation to start based on the water from the rock, they assumed the same position as their parents had when, under Moses’ leadership, they had participated in the dispensation to start at the Exodus from Egypt when God provided the three signs and ten plagues. Just as the Israelites under Moses’ leadership had passed through a three-day course before they crossed the Red Sea, the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership passed through a three-day course before they crossed the Jordan River.145 In the second national course, after the threeday course was completed, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire led the Israelites to the Red Sea. Similarly, after the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership completed the three-day course, the Ark of the Covenant led them to the Jordan River.146 The tablets lying at the center of the Ark, and the pillars of cloud and fire both symbolized Jesus and his would-be Bride. Moses used his staff to guide the way and split the Red Sea in two. Likewise, Joshua placed the Ark of the Covenant in front of the troops to guide their way. When the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant entered the Jordan River, its waters parted, opening the way for the people following the Ark to walk on the riverbed.147 Moses’ staff symbolized Jesus; similarly, the Ark containing the tablets of stone, manna and Aaron’s staff symbolized Jesus and his would-be Bride. Therefore, the parting of the Jordan River before the Ark, which allowed the Israelites to enter the land of Canaan safely, foreshadowed what would happen in the presence of Jesus and his Bride: sinful humanity, symbolized by water,148 would be divided between the righteous and the wicked and face the judgment. All faithful believers would then complete the restoration of Canaan worldwide. Upon reaching the Jordan River, God commanded Joshua, saying: Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, “Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.” —Josh. 4:2-3
And thus the people did: The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. —Josh. 4:19-20 145. 146. 147. 148.
Josh. 3:2 Josh. 3:3, 6 Josh. 3:16-17 Rev. 17:15