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Jordan and Canaan Typical
of Death and Heaven
From Timeless Grace Gems
by William Nicholson, 1862
"For you shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God gives you; and you shall possess it, and dwell therein." Deuteronomy 11:31of Death and Heaven
From Timeless Grace Gems
by William Nicholson, 1862
The design of this chapter is to stimulate the Israelites to obedience and expectancy of entering the promised land.
The journeyings of the children of Israel were typical of the Christian's journey through this desert world, to a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
I. The Anticipated Inheritance. "The land which the Lord your God gives you."
Here they had no continuing city, but wandered from place to place, and their wanderings were frequently circuitous, and beset with enemies and dangers.
Just so it is with Christian pilgrims, who have been called out of the world, from the path of error, darkness, and death — to walk in the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Their path, too, is often difficult. Often do they pass through clouds and darkness. Their state is frequently that of bodily and mental suffering, and of severe spiritual conflict. Ephesians 6:12.
No country mentioned in Scripture is connected with such interesting associations as the land of Canaan, verses 10-12.
Just so, no place in God's universe is so glorious as the heavenly Canaan, for it is the residence of Deity himself.
Wherein was Canaan typical of Heaven?
1. Canaan was a land of promise. It was promised as far back as Abraham. Genesis 12:7; 13:10-14, 15.
Just so, Heaven is promised to all true believers — as an inheritance, a better country, etc. How many declarations and promises speak of it as "the land which the Lord your God gives you!" "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom!" "The gift of God is eternal life." Heaven is the Christian's home, for which he sighs, and longs, and hopes, and to which, through grace, he is traveling.
What a delightful home! "In my Father's house are many mansions."
"While through this barren wilderness wearily we roam,
How sweet to cast a look above, and think we are going home.
To know that there the trials of our pilgrimage shall cease,
And all the waves of earthly woe be hushed to heavenly peace.
Home! sweet home!
Oh! for that land of rest above — our own eternal home!
2. Canaan was a land of abundance. "A land flowing with milk and honey," "the glory of all lands." It possessed abundance of corn, and fruits, and wine. It was a pleasant land; hence the report of the spies, Numbers 13:27, etc.
Just so, in Heaven there will be abundance, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore!" Psalm 16:11. There will be abundance . . .
of light,
of blissful employment,
of agreeable association,
of spiritual gratification congenial to a heaven-born soul.
Compare this, with the trials of earth — from poverty, want, ignorance, etc. "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" Revelation 7:16-17
3. Canaan was a holy land, Zechariah 2:12. It is frequently so called, and represented.
There the holy purposes of God were specially developed;
there his holy worship was established;
there the various economies, the Mosaic and the Christian in particular, were ordained.
Just so, Heaven is called the habitation of God's holiness.
God is perfectly holy;
angels are holy;
the glorified saints are perfect;
the employments are all holy.
The wicked cannot enter there. Sin can never infest there. "The pure in heart see God," and none else can see him. "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27. Delightful anticipation — to be free from sin!
4. Canaan was a land of rest, Deuteronomy 12:9. So it proved to the Israelites after their fatigues.
Just so, Heaven will be a rest from . . .
all toil,
all trials,
all conflicts,
all persecution,
all pain and sickness, and
all the outworkings of human depravity. "There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest."
5. Canaan was a permanent residence. This was the case with the settlement of the Israelites in Canaan, as compared with their wanderings in the wilderness. But still, though settled for life, they had to leave it at death.
Heaven will be eternally permanent. "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name!" Revelation 3:12