Crossing the River Jordan.
By J. Clarke
There is no period in the history of the Israelites, more interesting, than when they entered the land of Canaan. The older and most rebellious of the people had perished in the wilderness, and the younger portion of the people had witnessed the great and wonderful works of God; had been trained under Moses' supervision, aided by able and devoted assistants. They had witnessed for forty years, the constant visible presence of God, in the pillar of cloud by day, and of the pillar of fire by night. Their strong and healthy persons had been nourished all this time, upon bread furnished from the direct ministration of angels. They had witnessed the persistent murmurings of their fathers, and had felt and seen the consequences of their course. They had for forty years almost daily heard the voice of Moses, the man of God, as he eloquently addressed the congregation, or interceded for them in prayer, or as he gave words of instruction or reproof. The murmurings of their fathers had caused Moses to sin, and for this they were deprived of the very man whose experience and abilities rendered him every way the fittest person to lead them into Canaan. But it could not be; and they were forced to part with their loved commander, Moses the man of God. To them he had been a king, an intercessor, a mediator, and a true and tender-hearted friend; and when they wept his loss, and sadly lamented his death, they keenly felt that rebellion and murmuring had weakened the strong man, and brought him where he in his weakness had sinned against God. They knew that their rebellion and murmuring had brought Moses to the brink of despair; and that for the same cause, their stay in the wilderness had been prolonged for many long years; and, benefited by past experience, they resolve that their present leader Joshua, shall not be called to such trials and discouragements as Moses was called to undergo; hence they thus addressed him: "All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go: only be strong and of good courage." Had Israel done the same to Moses upon their first leaving Egypt, a few months might have sufficed to have passed the dreary desert, and to have entered upon the land of Canaan. But now this severe lesson produced a good effect; and for the lifetime of Joshua, and that generation, the Bible records no stain, or blot upon that people.118But we may suppose, that a deep and sincere love for God, pervaded almost the entire nation; and simplicity and purity of manners prevailed. From the example of Israel at this time of favor with God, we may learn that it is fitting, proper, and necessary, for God's people in times of danger and trial, to inspirit and encourage their leaders, and to testify to them by our confidence and esteem, so expressed in word and deed, as the people did to Joshua: thus lightening their burdens, and cheering their hearts.