January 26, 2015
Joshua 3-Part 2
...that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
Joshua 3:4c
LET IT GLOW
I have seen our little creek when the rains caused it to flood. The silence is turned into a roar. The swift, rushing flow is so powerful that it sweeps mature trees away from the edge and floating away, sends strong boulders rolling down stream, and changing the course of the creek. Nothing is safe in the middle of the unpredictable waves. No one got into a raft or canoe at that time. All I wanted to do was watch, certainly not try to cross it. That's all I ever did, too.
Israel spent three days watching and listening to the river which lay before them. What did they think? Did they wonder how in the world they'd ever cross it? Did they think how it was one thing for two spies to cross it, but that group was a couple of million, how could they cross it? What about their possessions, wives and children, as well as the old folks, how would they make it across?
With a seemingly impossible obstacle blocking their way, did they wonder how God would take care of this one? Apparently, Joshua was not even told the answers or given directions ahead of time. Do we question God when the impossible obstacles are blocking our way? Is our faith challenged? Will we keep walking by faith or high tail it and run back to our old ways where it was secure?
Israel went as far as they could go on their own, with the river before them.
Let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on divine sufficiency for that which we find ourselves not sufficient for. (Matthew Henry)
FAITH. Is Jesus your River of Life?
LET IT GROW
So that Israel would know what to do and what to depend upon, the officers passed through the people informing them:
- that the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, would precede them as they crossed the river. It was customary for the Kohathites to carry the Ark (Num. 4:15;7:9) in the midst of the camp, but in this case the Levitical priests, unarmed, were assigned the task (Joshua 6:6), to lead out front. The Ark contained the tables of the Law, Aaron's staff, the show bread, manna, and was mercy seat on top.
- the Ark was going before them, a distance of 1,000 yards, which is 3/4 mile. The Ark represented the presence of God, Who would be leading the way. This distance showed Israel's respect for the holiness of their God. Everyone would have a clear vision of Who was leading them. Previously, the cloud and pillar of fire had led them.
- God would show Israel the way they should go. They had not passed that way before. This was a new adventure, following on an untrodden path. God had provided them with manna to eat, shoes which did not wear out.
- Israel was to sanctify, prepare their hearts to see the mighty hand of God moving among them in a way unknown to them. They were to separate themselves from the common things to focus on the Lord, to see His wonders among them. They were to separate themselves from all the other cares of the world through prayer and meditation. A spiritual battle required the people to prepare spiritually. Israel was entering the holy land, called their Promised Land, the land which God had promised to their ancestors.
We need God's forgiveness before approaching Him, as did Israel. Do we set aside Sundays as a time of seeking His forgiveness and worship? Does it prepare us for the week ahead of us, the unknown path which we have not trodden before? God goes before us, walks beside us, covers our back. His love is everywhere.
LET IT GO
Get ready to walk on a new path this week.
Stay focused on God's Word.
When life is like a roaring river, trust Jesus, the River of Life.
Prepare for a spiritual battle ahead.
*Please remember our friend and faithful follower of this study, Gaylene, as she has surgery Monday.
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