Very honourable testimony is given also of Eleazar in his death and funeral, which, as the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to record, we may safely conclude, that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15. It is worthy remark, that Moses the great lawgiver, and Aaron the high priest, died in one year. And it should seem, that Joshua ' s death and Eleazar ' s were nearly together. How striking the observation of the Apostle: They truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue, by reason of death. But Jesus in his unchangeable priesthood continueth forever. Dearest Lord! how sweet the thought, though our fathers die, and the prophets live not forever, thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 7:22, etc.
REFLECTIONS
READER! in closing this sacred book of God, and in reviewing the many precious things contained in it, let us with increasing diligence look up for the teaching of the Holy Ghost, that beside the historical relation in it as the proof of God's faithfulness, we may spiritually discern the great tendency of the whole in pointing out the heavenly Canaan, under the typical representation of an earthly land of promise. Joshua, as the minister of God, hath indeed brought the Lord's people over Jordan, and brought them in, and divided them their inheritance, as was promised. But Joshua and all Israel found that land to be but the land of an earthly inheritance. Though they had the signs and symbols of worship, and the refreshing views of the divine presence, yet these were only suited to a transitory state. Beautiful and conclusive is the apostle ' s reasoning upon it. If Joshua (says he) had given them rest, then would the Lord not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God. And what is that rest but Jesus himself, who is the very sabbath of the soul to his people, and who hath promised to give all them that come to him, to find rest unto their souls. This (saith the prophet) is the rest wherewith ye may pause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing. Isaiah 28:12
But before I take a farewell of Joshua, as the servant of the most high God, and the captain of the Lord's host, I would pause and contemplate some of those precious views thy person and character afford, as a type of my almighty Joshua, the Lord Jesus Christ. Methinks I see in thee the faint outlines of his glorious person and character, who was, and is, indeed, the minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
In name as well as office, surely, Joshua, thou were a lively representative of our precious Jesus. He, as captain of the Lord's host, hath brought, and is still bringing, many sons unto glory, and to the division of their inheritance in the heavenly Canaan, as thou didst under his command to the possession of an earthly. It was at Jordan thy ministry commenced. And here it was also, in the very spot Jesus entered on his labours, when anointed with the Holy Ghost, and under the baptism of the Spirit without measure. Here Jehovah began to magnify the earthly Joshua in the sight of all the people. And here both the persons of the Father and of the Holy Ghost, glorified the Lord Jesus in their united testimonies to his person and office.
And as the earthly Joshua brought the people over Jordan; circumcised the house of Israel anew; led them on to sure victory and to conquest; and never left them, until the Lord had given them rest from all their enemies round about: so the heavenly, the almighty Joshua, brings all his people through every river of affliction, and all the Jordans of sin and tribulation; takes away the foreskin of their heart, that they may be no more stiffnecked, makes them more than conquerors through his grace helping them, and never gives over until he hath brought them into that everlasting rest, which remaineth for the people of God. Hail thou great, thou Almighty Joshua, thou captain of our salvation. Thou hast indeed proved thyself to thy church, to be the true Joshua, the real Saviour, for thou hast saved thy people from their sins. Thou hast led them on to sure victory, and hast arrayed them with the robes of salvation. It is thine, and thine alone, O blessed Jesus, both to purchase and bestow, both to put into the possession and secure thy people in it, even of an everlasting possession; and not, like Joshua, when the work is wrought, to leave them by reason of death: but thou ever livest to receive the grateful praise from thy people, and to see the work of Jehovah prosper in thine hand. In all that remains until thou shalt take me home to behold thy glory, do thou cause me to rest on thine arm, and to standstill and see the salvation of God. And be it my portion to live in thy faith, and to die in the assurance, that where thou art, there shall I be also to the praise of the glory of his grace, who hath made me accepted in the beloved. Amen.