Thus far we have seen how paths are chosen; fires are built and heard God speaking. We have seen how Moses gave final instructions on how to cross the river.
The book of Joshua records the trip taken by the Jews into the land God promised and prepared for them.
You have not passed this way before is the understatement of the decade.
There comes a time when we all must go to new ground. How we get there can be a story in its own right. The experiences we encounter and the problems we face could be the stuff movies are made of.
Nothing could be truer than the story of the children of Israel. As the story goes several million people had camped by the Jordan River. This was the jumping off place after forty years of going in circles in the desert. Forty years of rebellion, lack of trust whining complaining and the loss of an entire generation of people. As we look at this setting we see a remarkable picture. The river was at flood stage nobody had a boat. As far as the eye could see in either direction no bridges could be seen. All the news reports were gloomy. In the land across the river were giants, walled cities and hostile crowds. No banners or welcoming committees had been prepared. After three days of rest and preparation Joshua tells his captains. “Ok its time. Tell all the people we will cross the river in the morning. Tell them 12 members of the tribe of Levy will carry the ark. All the rest of the people are to follow two thousand cubits behind. (That’s about 972 yards.) Tell them to pay close attention to where the ark goes cause they have not passed this way before. “
To say the least this statement caused no small stir among the nation of Israel. Many may have wondered if Joshua had spent too much time on the wine.
Sleep was a lost commodity that night.
God had told Joshua he was to lead Israel after Moses‘ death. Keep one thing in mind God is only speaking to Joshua. Israel did not want God to talk directly to them. God is giving Joshua instructions as to how where and when things are to happen. Joshua was to take Israel to the Promised Land and there they were to live. God would drive out the current residents and He would open the river for them to pass. All they had to do was to go and possess the land. They had been through a lot. Forty years of hot dry desert, deadly snakes, unmarked graves not to mention blisters and sunburn. Yet God had done what He said He would do. He has brought them to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. As they all stared across the river that night truly they had not been this way before.
Joshua had one final instruction all the people had to do before any could cross the river. Joshua 3:5 “Sanctify yourselves. For tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” In other words they were to clean themselves of sin, dedicate themselves wholly to God, for His purpose. Do exactly what He told them to do the way He told them to do it. They were not to call a meeting, establish a committee to question if Joshua was crazy or not. They were to follow where the Ark of the Covenant led.
At daylight the Ark of the Covenant was to be carried into the river by 12 members of the tribe of Levy. Then the people were to follow by 972 yards. To cross the flooded river many things had to be done. Each and every person had to sanctify him or herself. You have not passed this way before they were told.
They had to pack not only their physical belongings but they had to make sure their spiritual life was in order.
On the surface no one could see how this river crossing was going to have a good outcome. No bridges, no boats, the river was at flood stage. It is a good bet some said or at least thought, “Let’s just stay here.” Fortunately for Israel God had gotten rid of all the old mosey horns that refused to follow any of God’s instructions. Remember an entire generation had to die before the nation of Israel could cross the river.
God did not want them to stay there it was not home. What were they to do? Well first each person had to dedicate his or her life wholly to God for His purpose. They must trust God to do what He said He would do. They were to walk into the river by faith. Keep that thought clear in your mind. They were to walk boldly into a flooded river that led into a land they had never seen. Inhabited by giants and a whole lot of mean tempered people that did not want to give up what they owned. Logic said if you do you will die. God said if you don’t you will die. What a dilemma. What a place to be! Yes we have never been here before.
God told Joshua He would part the river and make a way for them. The people not only had to trust God they had to trust Joshua. Trusting God is a difficult thing for people to do. But are we sure Joshua knows what he is doing. It is difficult to be submissive to God’s will. People have no problem trusting God with their eternal soul. When it comes to time, talent, and physical possessions trust seems to go out the window.
Had Israel felt that way many would not have survived the crossing with their worldly possessions. Many more would have lost their lives.
This is an amazing picture of what can happen when people completely and totally trust God.
Let’s take a look at the crossing. Who had to go first? Why the priest carrying the ark of course. Remember the water did not part until the first foot of the first priest touched the water. Only then did God open the path. God’s chosen men who were to carry the Ark of the Covenant had to boldly walk into a raging swollen river with complete trust that they would not get wet or drown. They had to boldly go where none had gone before.
These 12 men could only carry the ark, each trusting and working together. Each had to have total faith in God. Who carried their belongings? Someone following behind, a family member or a friend they were to support God’s men. God’s men today are to step boldly into the river; God’s people are to carry their things. This requires unity. This is how a church should be pictured.
These 12 men six on each side lifted the ark and stepped into what could not be seen with physical eyes. They stepped boldly into the righteousness of God. As they did and the sole of the first foot touched the water the water parted and the sole landed on dry ground. Each succeeding step likewise fell on dry ground. These 12 men walked with God and God provided the way. Could they see the path? Only after they took that first step!
Standing 1000 cubits behind in the early morning light a multitude of people watched and waited, each scared and excited all at the same time. Nerves must have been on edge just as the priest stepped into the river. Now it is time for each to take that first step and follow the 12. They had to keep their eyes on the ark, for they had not passed this way before. No one had ever seen the waters part before. That generation had died in the desert. No one knew what to expect. All they knew if they did as God directed they would be given a wonderful new land in which to live and raise families. If they did not, history reminded them of all that had been lost when they disobeyed God. 3 million Hebrews took a deep breath, locked their eyes on the ark, put one foot in front of the other and walked into history.
I wonder what would happen today if Americans were asked to stand together and take a step into history like Israel did. Best I can imagine we would first have to take a vote to see if it was possible. Then we would have to form a committee and investigate all the possible ways not to do it. Wale and lament about having to share with our neighbor, work with them and stand shoulder to shoulder in a raging flood. Somebody might get wet! As a whole nation we are asked to step forward for the glory of God. But no we must first consult the ACLU to make sure no ones feelings get hurt. Who is to be first? Who is to go last? Who cares so long as all get across? Not America! Trust God! That surely goes against the church/ state convention.
No I doubt America could step out like God asked Israel to do.
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