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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
Heathen nations had reproached the Lord and His people because
the Hebrews had failed to possess the land of Canaan, which they
expected to inherit soon after leaving Egypt. Their enemies had tri-
umphed because Israel had wandered so long in the wilderness, and
they proudly lifted themselves up against God, declaring that He was
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not able to lead them into the land of Canaan. The Lord had now
signally manifested His power and favor by leading His people over
Jordan on dry land, and their enemies could no longer reproach them.
The manna, which had continued up to this time, now ceased; for as
the Israelites were about to possess Canaan, and eat of the fruits of
that goodly land, there was no more need of it.
As Joshua withdrew from the armies of Israel to meditate and pray
for God’s special presence to attend him, he saw a Man of lofty stature,
clad in warlike garments, with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua did
not recognize Him as one of the warriors of Israel, and yet He had no
appearance of being an enemy. In his zeal he accosted Him, saying:
“Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries? And He said, Nay; but as
Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his
face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, What saith my
Lord unto His servant? And the Captain of the Lord’s host said unto
Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou
standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”
The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary, and for this reason the
priests never entered the place sanctified by God’s presence with shoes
upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to them, which would
desecrate the holy place; therefore the priests were required to leave
their shoes in the court before entering the sanctuary. In the court,
beside the door of the tabernacle, stood a brazen laver, wherein the
priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle,
that all impurity might be removed. All who officiated in the sanctuary
were required of God to make special preparation before entering the
place where His glory was revealed.
It was the Son of God who stood as an armed warrior before the
leader of Israel. It was the One who had conducted the Hebrews
through the wilderness, enshrouded in a pillar of cloud by day and a
pillar of fire by night. In order to impress the mind of Joshua that He
was no less than Christ, the Exalted One, He said: “Loose thy shoe
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from off thy foot.” He then instructed Joshua what course to pursue