Doctrine of Life #59
59. What we have said about the law’s promulgation, holiness and power in no. 55 above, may be found in the Word in the following passages:
That Jehovah descended onto Mount Sinai in fire, and that the mountain smoked and quaked then, and that there were thunderings, lightnings, a thick cloud, and the sound of a trumpet, see Exodus 19:16, 18, and Deuteronomy 4:11, 5:19-23.
That before Jehovah descended, the people readied themselves and sanctified themselves for three days, see Exodus 19:10-11, 15.
That bounds were set around the mountain to keep anyone from drawing near and approaching its base, on pain of death, and that not even the priests were to approach, but only Moses, see Exodus 19:12-13, 20-23, 24:1-2.
For the law promulgated from Mount Sinai, see Exodus 20:2-14, Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
That the law was written on two tablets of stone with the finger of God, see Exodus 31:18, 32:15-16, Deuteronomy 9:10.
That when Moses brought those tablets down from the mountain a second time, his face shone, see Exodus 34:29-35.
That the tablets were placed in the Ark, see Exodus 25:16, 40:20, Deuteronomy 10:5 and 1 Kings 8:9.
That on the Ark was set a mercy seat, and placed on this were cherubim of gold, see Exodus 25:17-21.
[2] That the Ark, together with the mercy seat and cherubim, constituted the inmost constituents of the Tabernacle, and that the golden lampstand, the golden altar of incense, and the table overlaid with gold which held the showbread constituted its outer constituents, and the ten curtains of linen, purple and scarlet its outmost constituents, see Exodus 25,26, 40:17-28.
That the place where the Ark was, was called the holy of holies or most holy place, see Exodus 26:33.
That the Israelite people all camped in order by tribes about the place where it resided, and set out in order after it, see Numbers 2.
That a cloud then stood over its abode by day, and fire by night, see Exodus 40:38, Numbers 9:15-16, 14:14, and Deuteronomy 1:33.
That the Lord spoke with Moses from above the Ark between the cherubim, see Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 7:89.
That because of the law it contained, the Ark was called the abode of Jehovah, for whenever the Ark set out Moses said, “Rise up, O Jehovah!” and when it rested, “Return, O Jehovah!” see Numbers 10:35-36, and also 2 Samuel 6:2, Psalms 132:7-8.
That because of the holiness of that law, Aaron was permitted to enter within the veil only with sacrifices and incense, see Leviticus 16:2-14ff.
That David brought the Ark into Zion with sacrifices and jubilation, see 2 Samuel 6:1-19. That Uzzah later died because he touched it, see verses 6 and 7 in that same chapter.
That the Ark was placed in the midst of the Temple in Jerusalem, where it constituted its inner sanctuary, see 1 Kings 6:19ff., 8:3-9.
[3] That because of the Lord’s presence and power in the law contained in the Ark, the Jordan’s waters were parted, and as long as the Ark rested in the midst of it, the people crossed over on dry ground, see Joshua 3:1-17, 4:5-20.
That the Ark’s being carried around caused the walls of Jericho to fall, see Joshua 6:1-20.
That Dagon, the Philistine god, fell down before the Ark, and after that lay at the threshold of the shrine with its head broken off, see 1 Samuel 5:1-4.
That because of the Ark many thousands of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh were struck, see 1 Samuel 6:19.
Joshua 2
1
Joshua the son of Nun secretly sent two men out of Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, including Jericho." They went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and slept there.
2
The king of Jericho was told, "Behold, men of the children of Israel came in here tonight to spy out the land."
3
The king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered into your house; for they have come to spy out all the land."
4
The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I didn't know where they came from.
5
It happened about the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went, I don't know. Pursue them quickly; for you will overtake them."
6
But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.
7
The men pursued them the way to the Jordan to the fords: and as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
8
Before they had laid down, she came up to them on the roof;
9
and she said to the men, "I know that Yahweh has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.
10
For we have heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and to Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
11
As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.
12
Now therefore, please swear to me by Yahweh, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a true token;
13
and that you will save alive my father, my mother, my brothers, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death."
14
The men said to her, "Our life for yours, if you don't talk about this business of ours; and it shall be, when Yahweh gives us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you."
15
Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was on the side of the wall, and she lived on the wall.
16
She said to them, "Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers find you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may Go your way."
17
The men said to her, "We will be guiltless of this your oath which you have made us to swear.
18
Behold, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by. You shall gather to yourself into the house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father's household.
19
It shall be that whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his head, and we will be guiltless. Whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand is on him.
20
But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you have made us to swear."
21
She said, "According to your words, so be it." She sent them away, and they departed. She tied the scarlet line in the window.
22
They went, and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had returned. The pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but didn't find them.
23
Then the two men returned, descended from the mountain, passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had happened to them.
24
They said to Joshua, "Truly Yahweh has delivered into our hands all the land. Moreover, all the inhabitants of the land melt away before us."
