When we left Joshua last week, the two spies that Rahab helped reported back to Joshua and said the Lord had delivered the land into their hands. We see in Chapter 3 the children of Israel traveling from the Acacia Grove to the banks of the Jordan River. In verses 1 and 2 we see they spent three days camped by the river before they crossed over. They had been traveling and it isn't like they had been riding in the nice comfy SUV with heat and air conditioning. They needed rest. They needed some time to prepare before they went across into the land they had been anticipating for a generation.
After the three days had passed, the officers went through the camp and gave instruction to the people. They were to follow the ark of the covenant and the priests that carried it, but they were not to follow too closely. They were to leave space between them and the ark. They were not to come near it. The officers said by following at a distance they would be able to know which way to go because they had not been to this land before. Following the ark would lead them. Isn't it easy for us to get ahead of God sometimes? We decide things aren't moving fast enough, so we strike out on our own thinking we can get there faster and better than if we follow behind what we deem is slow progress. The people received further instruction for preparation. Joshua told them to sanctify themselves because the next day the Lord would do wonders for them.
Sanctify means to consecrate, be separate, or be hallowed. Generally, we believe this term to be set apart for God in a form of holiness. This time period was prior to the birth of the Messiah. There was no form of sanctification outside of sacrifices for sins and setting apart the first and the best of the flock or crops to the Lord. So, I will assume the children of Israel made their sacrifices prior to crossing the Jordan.
When the priests with the Ark reached the Jordan, they were to stop and stand in the river. When they did, much like the description of the Red Sea, the Jordan parted and allowed the children of Israel to cross over on dry ground into the promised land. Some of those that were still alive that had fled Egypt with their parents had already seen this. Remember, a generation has died off by this time for their disobedience to God, so those that had been present for the parting of the Red Sea as adults were no longer with Joshua's group of people. They had heard stories of the deliverance of the children of Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh, but now they were able to experience first hand the might of the Lord God that had delivered them. Thus, Joshua said, "Know the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you..." (Verse 10).
We know that God has plans for us and we all have a calling on our lives. We know that God will lead us to the place that best fits the calling we have to fulfill. But we, too, have preparations to make. We have journeyed a long way in our spiritual lives to reach the point where we can move into the fullness of the promise He made, right? All through 2017 we looked at the promises of the Father to us. They all had several things in common, didn't they?
After the three days had passed, the officers went through the camp and gave instruction to the people. They were to follow the ark of the covenant and the priests that carried it, but they were not to follow too closely. They were to leave space between them and the ark. They were not to come near it. The officers said by following at a distance they would be able to know which way to go because they had not been to this land before. Following the ark would lead them. Isn't it easy for us to get ahead of God sometimes? We decide things aren't moving fast enough, so we strike out on our own thinking we can get there faster and better than if we follow behind what we deem is slow progress. The people received further instruction for preparation. Joshua told them to sanctify themselves because the next day the Lord would do wonders for them.
Sanctify means to consecrate, be separate, or be hallowed. Generally, we believe this term to be set apart for God in a form of holiness. This time period was prior to the birth of the Messiah. There was no form of sanctification outside of sacrifices for sins and setting apart the first and the best of the flock or crops to the Lord. So, I will assume the children of Israel made their sacrifices prior to crossing the Jordan.
When the priests with the Ark reached the Jordan, they were to stop and stand in the river. When they did, much like the description of the Red Sea, the Jordan parted and allowed the children of Israel to cross over on dry ground into the promised land. Some of those that were still alive that had fled Egypt with their parents had already seen this. Remember, a generation has died off by this time for their disobedience to God, so those that had been present for the parting of the Red Sea as adults were no longer with Joshua's group of people. They had heard stories of the deliverance of the children of Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh, but now they were able to experience first hand the might of the Lord God that had delivered them. Thus, Joshua said, "Know the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you..." (Verse 10).
We know that God has plans for us and we all have a calling on our lives. We know that God will lead us to the place that best fits the calling we have to fulfill. But we, too, have preparations to make. We have journeyed a long way in our spiritual lives to reach the point where we can move into the fullness of the promise He made, right? All through 2017 we looked at the promises of the Father to us. They all had several things in common, didn't they?
- Be obedient and heed the word of the Lord. (John 14:15)
- Set aside the things of the old man and put on the things of the New Man. (Eph 4:21-24)
- Set ourselves apart from the world and be a nation that lights the World. (Matt 5:13,14)
We are also to meditate on the word day and night, right?
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
So, how do we sanctify and prepare ourselves for the wonders the Lord will do for us as He fulfills the promises He made to us?
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
It is impossible to be focused on the Lord and ready to do battle (because Joshua and the children of Israel were going to fight for their land) if we are not meditating on the good reports, on those things that are praiseworthy. I think back to the post Prison Shaking Focus and remember the praise that Paul and Silas lifted to the Lord while they were in prison. It was so strong and so powerful it shook the prison and all the doors were opened and chains were broken. We will see later in Joshua, that obedience and praise is exactly how the walls of Jericho fell and the city was delivered into the hands of the Israelites.
God is so good and faithful to us. Our obedience and preparation for the fulfillment of His promises is so important with our ability to move forward into the possession of those promises. Just because God leads us to a place doesn't mean we have come into possession of the place. Had the Israelites remained camped out on the banks of the river, they never would have gained possession of the promise. They moved forward in obedience to the words of the Lord after their rest and preparation and began the process to take possession of the what the Lord had promised them. They let no grass grow under their feet. They did not say "Oh, we have made it!" They set up their camp. They sanctified themselves. They crossed the Jordan over dry ground across from the very city that would be their first battle of possession. Just because there is a first battle doesn't mean there aren't more to come. But, we know the Lord our God goes before us, and behind us, and will never leave us.
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."
And through Him, just as the Children of Israel experienced, we are more than conquerors.
Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (34) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER." (37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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