THE RIVER JORDAN by Eld. S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 19, 1881

THE RIVER JORDAN.

By Eld. S. N. Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

In some respects this is the most remarkable river in the world. It is unlike all others in many particulars. No other river is so wonderful in its historical memories; no other has so many hallowed and sacred associations. It is THE RIVER of the holy land. Nearly all of the great events of scripture history from the patriarchs to the apostles, have been more or less connected with it. Its banks have been the scene of the most stupendous miracles the world has ever witnessed, evincing the love and power of God and also his judgments. As the priests dipped their feet in its angry, rushing waters, which at that time overflowed all of its several banks, they parted before the ark of God and all Israel passed over upon dry land. Twice did the waters divide when touched by Elijah's mantle. Once, at the bidding of the prophet, the iron axe rose from its bed and floated on its surface. In obedience to his directions, the healing virtues of its waters proved to the proud Syrian the fallacy of his sneering exclamation, "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?" But the event which surpassed all others in importance was the baptism of the Son of God, when, in answer to his prayer, which ascended from its banks, the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and a voice came from the Father giving his sanction to the Son and his mission to this earth, in these words, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." All these things make the memory of this stream sacred to the child of God.

The lake of this river also is associated with many of the noted events and miracles of our Saviour's life. There did the storm-tossed billows hear and obey the voice of their creator. It was there that our Saviour walked upon the face of the deep. Obedient to his will, the fishes filled the net of the disciples after they had toiled all night and caught nothing. Along these shores the lame walked, the deaf heard, the sick were healed, the lepers were cleansed, and the dead were raised to life again. Surely every spot along the banks of this river and lake is holy ground, and their names are not only emblazoned on the pages of history, but enshrined in every Christian's heart.

The principal fountain or source of the Jordan is at the base of the everlasting snow-capped Hermon which is on a level with the ocean. It descends rapidly through its whole course about one hundred miles, winding back and forth in its irregular and crooked course until it empties itself into the Dead Sea, which has a depression of thirteen hundred and twelve feet. The whole valley of the Jordan is therefore a huge rent or fissure in the earth's crust. At the southern extremity of this mysterious lake the climate and productions are those of the tropics, while the mountains at the source of the Jordan are covered with perpetual snow. The waters of the Dead Sea flow over the spot where once stood the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The lime-rock upon which the sea flows causes an evaporation of its waters sufficient to dispose of the immense quantity emptied into it by the Jordan and other smaller streams.