As Yogi Berra once said,” it’s like deja vu all over again”. At the beginning of their exodus, God, through His chosen servant Moses, opens up the Red Sea so the Israelites can cross over on dry land. Now, at the conclusion of their journey to the Promised Land, He repeats His power over the forces of nature through His new vessel, Joshua. One commentator put it this way. “God brought them out of Egypt’s bondage with a miracle, and He brought them into the Promised Land with a miracle”. This act solidifies Joshua as “THE man” in the eyes of Israel and shows His steadfast love and faithfulness to keep His promises to the people of Israel.
[Joshua 3.9-17]
3.9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What reasons are given as the basis of the miracle at the Jordan? (Take a look at verse 7 from yesterday’s Daily as well). What does this tell you about the heart and character of God?
+ Joshua gathers the people together and tells them to “listen to the words of the Lord your God”. How can he say that? Can we make that same proclamation today when speaking to someone? Be VERY careful how you answer this!!!
+ What is the importance of the phrases “the living God” and “the Lord of all the earth” in verses 10 and 11 given the timing of this particular situation?
+ Notice the waters of the Jordan did not stop until the priests actually stepped into the strong flowing river. Why? Share with the group any experience where you had to take a step of faith and the Lord saw you through it.
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ It dawned on me after reading today’s passage that I am sometimes too pragmatic, which, in my case, is a nice way to say I sometimes lack faith. When there is an issue in my life, my first reaction is usually “why me”, followed by thinking of ways I can manage and “correct” the situation. Time and time again in the pages of the Bible, the Lord guarantees something will come to pass, but asks those who call upon His name to take a step of faith first. Why, so God can show His power and steadfast love and commitment to those witnessing the situation at hand.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for taking matters into our own hands rather than submitting to Your will and timing. Help us remember that you are truly a Promise Keeper!!! Amen
Joshua’s general outlook, as communicated to the people, is refreshing. The impossible problems in their way are not seen as an oppressive trial, but as a glorious opportunity to see God work. However, we usually want the river to be dry before we even make a step, but God was truly calling Israel (and us today) to step out in faith. © 2022 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?