Note 6 — Chapter V
Reading edition
The “dust” lifted from the floor of the tabernacle may be viewed as the figure of death.—“Thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” The “water” prefigures the Word, which, being brought to bear upon the conscience, by the power of the Holy Ghost, makes every thing manifest. If there has been any unfaithfulness to Christ, the true Husband of His people, it must be thoroughly judged. This holds good with regard to the nation of Israel, to the Church of God, and to the individual believer. If the heart be not true to Christ, it will not be able to stand the searching power of the Word; but if there be truth in the inward parts, the more one is searched and tried, the better. How blessed it is when we can truly say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24.)