The Bible

 

Genesis 1:1

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Commentary

 

#118 Crossing the Jordan into the Inner Meaning (Joshua 3, Joshua 4)

By Jonathan S. Rose

Title: Crossing the Jordan into the Inner Meaning

Topic: Word

Summary: Can the Bible be taken literally? A look at the story of crossing the Jordan sheds some light...

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Joshua 3:1-end
2 Kings 2:1-14
Psalms 114
John 1:28; 10:40
Matthew 3:5-6
Mark 1:5, 9
Jeremiah 12:1-5
Zechariah 11:3
Genesis 1:9
1 Corinthians 2:14

Play Video
Spirit and Life Bible Study broadcast from 11/28/2012. The complete series is available at: www.spiritandlifebiblestudy.com

Commentary

 

Sea

  

Water generally represents “natural truth,” or true concepts about day-to-day matters and physical things. Since all water ultimately flows into the seas, then, it follows that a sea represents a huge agglomeration of such natural truths -- usually all of the natural truth a person has, or all the natural truth a church has. Water in the sea mixes freely, and is easily stirred up by winds and currents. This is also true of the concepts we hold about natural things -- they are not all related to each other, and when relationships do exist they usually can change without damaging the concepts themselves. Many of the concepts are easily disputed, and arguments can arise like waves on the ocean -- generally with little effect other than a mixing of waters. But the sea also offers great bounty. We draw fish from it (spiritual food), float ships (doctrinal systems) on it, bathe in it (using true concepts to purify ourselves), and the water that evaporates from it and falls as rain (purer forms of truth that can attach to desires for good) makes life possible.