Posted on 10/11/2025 12:40:52 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
…One general observation we can make right from the beginning is that in crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel were coming OUT OF something bad. In the crossing of the Jordan River, the children of Israel were coming INTO something essentially good, but not without its challenges. And in between, there was a desert or wilderness.
This desert represents a training place; a place of learning; a place of trials; and a place of testing. Even Jesus went into the wilderness to be tested (Luke 4:1-14).
The children of Israel were also lead by the Lord in the desert by the fire by night and the cloud by day. The fire and cloud symbolize the leading and presence of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament believer’s life.
Then the Israelites came to the Jordan River.
A river, unlike a sea, has purpose and direction. The sea (Red Sea) is depicted as aimless, and being driven and tossed by the wind. Also, the water of a river has cleansing qualities, and water gives life to all who get it…In contrast, the salt water of the sea is not life giving. A river gives a continual flow of new water…
Life in the Promised Land was not and is not without its challenges. The stronghold of Jericho and the people of Ai were types of demons and ungodly people opposing the church in her quest to possess her God given inheritance. According to Hebrews 11:30, the walls of Jericho came down by faith. The people of Ai were defeated through repentance, obedience and faith.
For the Christian, this battle for his inheritance certainly includes contending for the promises of God…The Israelites taking Jericho was a picture of this battle the Christians wage for their promised land…
(Excerpt) Read more at thelordssupper.org ...
Good stuff, and confirms what I have thought for some time but now believe to be true and scripturally sound: that the crossing of the river Jordan symbolizes being baptized in the Holy Sprit.
Going "through" the Red Sea and the River Jordan is a picture of baptism. Baptism is a picture of death and resurrection.
I've known that crossing the Red Sea is a picture of being born again - baptized into Christ in which by the miraculous operation of God by grace we instantly die and rise again with Christ (Romans 6:2-9).
Crossing the Jordan was a little harder for me to understand and I prayed the Lord would give me understanding. There are many things that point to Israel crossing the Jordan as a picture of being baptized in the Holy Spirit and this "Lord's Supper" cites many of those reasons.
There is a segment of the church that refuses the baptism of the Holy Spirit, many saying its just part of being born again. But scripture shows being saved (Red Sea) and being baptized in the Holy Spirit (River Jordan) as two separate and distinct experiences.
I know from personal experience that a significant part of the reason in many instances is these Christians are content with their lives as is and don't want to engage in things that seem too "spiritual" ("scary").
This is exactly a picture of the eight spies who came back with a bad report of the Promised Land because there were giants there who would gobble them up. Fear of Satan and his attacks. So these Christians remain unbaptized in the Holy Spirit and remain in the wilderness where they die defeated - saved, but without eternal rewards of "gold, silver, and precious stones" (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
To the Christian who is saved, the baptism in the Holy Spirit isn't an end, it is a new beginning and opportunity of temporal and eternal rewards awaiting but which also includes trial and tribulations. Why trials and tribulations? Because I believe trials and tribulations are the only way God can make room for more for Jesus in our lives. Otherwise we remain as is. Becoming like Jesus is God's work by grace, not our work, and difficulties seem to be what it takes to make room in our lives of less of us and more of Jesus.
God bless.
wow yes! thanks for the your take.
the walls of Jericho came down... except for the house of RAHAB, an outsider to both Jericho and Israel and in line to be the great grandmother of Jesus.
We need to recognize when outsiders want to convert.
the walls of Jericho came down... except for the house of RAHAB, an outsider to both Jericho and Israel and in line to be the great grandmother of Jesus.
We need to recognize when outsiders want to convert.
So true spintreebob, and a reminder of caution against casting judgment, or deeming anyone unworthy or incapable of entering the household of faith. Rahab the prostitute is mentioned and memorialized three times in the New Testament!
I think that comes with a greater understanding of our salvation by HIS grace not by our works. We have nothing to do with our being saved. It is purely by the grace of God because of his great love for us (Ephesians 2:4-9).
How could we possibly judge another who very well may be more worthy in the natural than ourselves?
"There but for the grace of God go I."
***Going “through” the Red Sea and the River Jordan is a picture of baptism.****
But WHO got wet at the Red Sea? And at the Jordan, the people constantly went back and forth over it. Some tribes took their possession on the East side of the River.
So AI was identified as demonic way back in the Old Testament.
I’m sure it’s just a co-incidence.
Amazing!
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