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I. IN DWELLING UPON THE PLACE IN GOD'S PLAN OF PREPARED MEN AND WOMEN. There are men and women with whom God will work, and there are men and women with whom He will not work. Who are those with whom God will work? As a general rule, those who sanctify themselves for His work; that is, separate themselves by a thoughtful detachment from other engagements to make this work of His the prior thing.

II. IN DWELLING ON THE PACT OF OUR ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. This is true in all things. It is signally true in the work of setting up His kingdom in the earth. There were things which Israel could do. There were things which they could not do without a signal, Divine interposition. Ever and again the Christian Church comes to the bank of some swift river. The obstacles in the way of her progress are like Jordan with full banks. Then ever let her sanctify herself with the humbling but precious thoughts of her absolute dependence upon a Divine intervention.

III. IN DWELLING UPON THE NEED OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE. This was a thought which ever lived with Moses: "If Thy presence go not with me, take us not up hence." The presence of God is sometimes withdrawn. Sometimes it is especially manifested. A leader needs credentials. A leader of God's people needs Divine credentials. The work we attempt requires God's presence. We are wholly dependent upon God to bring us across the river, and we shall need His presence on the other shore. It is sanctifying to couple with the thought of our dependence on God this other of the efficacy of His presence.

IV. IN DWELLING UPON THE REASONS FOR CROSSING THE JORDAN. The land was to be subjugated for God. It was to be taken for Him and settled for Him, and thus make a part of the kingdom of God. The great, main reason for desiring to see God's work revived is that His kingdom may come in power; that the city and the nation and the world may be His.

V. IN DWELLING UPON WHAT GOD HAS DONE. This is the day of common sense in religious matters. Our fathers were superstitious. In these days science has come to the forefront, and the religion of the supernatural has been superseded. When these doubts arise and press us, when they beset us and whisper and roar about us in the air, it is good to remember what God has done. The God of the Bed Sea is the God of the Jordan.

VI. THEY WOULD BE AIDED IN SANCTIFYING THEMSELVES BY REFLECTING UPON WHAT IT WOULD BE TO TURN BACK — after forty years in the wilderness, to turn back once more and give up the hopes of entering the land of promise; again to go from camp to camp in a maze of wanderings and die in the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb with the rest, after all! Would not this thought most powerfully move them to embrace God's service? to set themselves apart to utmost co-operation in His plan, with unquestioning faith to follow the ark? Which things are a parable. Many Churches, many Christians, have the experience of coming up in the full view of great blessings, promised blessings, and turning back. Is it so irksome a thing, then, to make the kingdom of heaven first, that we are willing, after all, even after getting a close view of the blessing, after God has promised that this blessing shall be put in our very hands, that we shall turn back rather than sanctify ourselves?

(G. R. Leavitt.)

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KJV: And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;

WEB: It happened after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;