August 17: JORDAN’S RICH SYMBOLISM
“Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.” 1 Kings 17:3
Just after Elijah the Tishbite burst onto the scene with the announcement of a draught (v.1), the LORD directed him to hide by the Brook Cherith near the Jordan River where he was fed by ravens. After the brook dried up, the LORD sent him to a widow in Zarephath (located in modern-day Lebanon) to be cared for (v.9). Elijah humbly followed the divine directives. After a three-and-a-half-year period came Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal. Revival broke out among the people. Elijah . . . bowed down on the ground and put his face between his knees in prayer, and the LORD sent abundant rain (18:39,42,45).
Landmark events at the Jordan River are associated with humility and bring to mind spiritual cleansing, purification, obedience, and profound spiritual awakening. The meaning of the name Jordan is to descend. One of the essential characteristics shared by Elijah and John the Baptist is humility. It was their willingness to bow before God that led to their strength to preach the truth before men. The Jordan River is the lowest river on earth, and it leads to the Dead Sea which is surrounded by the world’s lowest land elevation (1,410 feet below sea level). This “lowliness” is a fitting symbol for all who, like Paul, realize the need to die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31) to their own selfish motives while inviting the Holy Spirit to empower them to live for the LORD. John the Baptist declared, “He must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan, went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6, 11
It is interesting that the wilderness ministry of John the Baptist was three-and-a-half years. Both of these humble prophets ministered around the Jordan River. Both dressed simply and had simple diets. Both experienced success in their quest to glorify God. Both experienced discouragement and loneliness. Both confronted kings with their sins. Both were persecuted by queens who were ‘married to the state’ whose daughters also filled roles as persecutors. Both saw Jesus – whose ministry was also three-and-a-half years long – and identified Him as the Messiah. The Jordan has come to symbolize death to selfish ambition, humility, and ultimate glory to God.
Yes, all of you be . . . clothed in humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5b-7
Further study: 2 Kings 5:9-14; Proverbs 15:33; 22:4; Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:5,9; Luke 4:1; John 10:40; 2 Timothy 2:25; James 4:10; 5:17-18