Joshua 3: Stepping out in Faith

Background

To begin we remember that back in Ch 1 Joshua told the Israelites to prepare provisions for within 3 days they would be crossing the Jordan and going into the promised land. We have now come to the point of moving into what God had promised. A land of milk and honey, of gigantic grape clusters, and pre-made cities and rest.

Also, we need to remember that all that happened to Israel are pictures and examples for us and our walk as Jesus followers.

The picture goes like this:

Israel was enslaved in Egypt for some 400 years. Q- What is Egypt a picture of ? The world. Prior to Christ we were slaves to the world system.

Moses is called to be their deliverer and ultimately leads them out of Egypt through the Red Sea. Q- Moses is a picture/type of who? Jesus. The Red Sea is a type of Baptism, a death to the world, an out ward sign of Salvation. Just as when we as believers put our Faith in Christ and identify with Him through Baptism.

They were led to Mt Sinai where the Law was given by God to Moses. Just as we are saved by faith and then begin to grow in faith by studying God’s word.

Israel is then taken to the edge of the promised land but are afraid to enter in and are doomed to march in circles in the desert never to enjoy the fullness of God’s promises. And so it is that for many in the body of Christ because of a lack of faith that God is able to provide or protect or keep His promises they never really enter into the “abundant life” that Jesus has promised.

, final instructions

Joshua rose early. Our “Joshua” Jesus made a habit of rising early as well. see . This an area of struggle for me personally.

They move to the edge of the Jordan and camp there for 3 days. All their lives they have been waiting for, dreaming of this moment when they enter into God’s promised place for them. But there is a problem. You see there is an obstacle in the way. How is God going to solve this one? Israel had some 3 million people at this time. People with all their possessions, with their children and their elderly. How are we going to cross over a large rushing river? The 3 days symbolizes a time of contemplation, a time to consider what must be done. For us we have been saying that the crossing of the Jordan and entering promised land indicates being baptized in the spirit and living a spirit led life. Some believers spend their whole life right here not able cross over. The conversation would go something like, what if I become weird, or I would be embarrassed, or I will not surrender unless I know exactly what will happen. More often though it is sin. Our reluctance to repent.

Israel is told to watch for the priests and Levites carrying the Ark of the covenant and to follow it, A picture of being led by the Spirit. Up to this point they have had the Cloud by Day and Pillar of fire at night. No they are to begin a walk of faith. You see it is much easier to be told what to do, to have mom and dad, or some religious ritual to follow. The walk of faith requires a close intimate relationship with Jesus.

Notice in verse 4 that they are to give a space of 2000 cubits, nearly a half mile, between them and the Ark. This was for two reasons.  First, to respect the holy nature of the ark of the covenant.  But also, it was to make sure that everyone a clear view of the ark. ( 3 million people takes up a large space.) But for us, spiritually, we must allow God space to do what he wants to do. In a sense, God is saying, you want to enter into this fuller deeper relationship with me, Go for it, enter in, but give Me space to do what I have planned in your life. Because God works with in each one differently. Some receive the coming “upon of the spirit” emotionally, crying or laughing, others, calmly just receiving by faith. Some speak in tongues some do not. What happens to someone else is not necessarily what God wants to do with you. We must give God space to do and acts as he wills.

Notice also, because you have not come this way before. Walking in the Spirit is an adventure and God is leading it. Following requires trust and a listening ear. See

; Sanctify yourselves

What does “sanctify” mean? Literally, to be holy, remove from common use”. In practical terms, repent of any known sin and set your mind on God and His will. If we are to live the abundant life Christ promised we must repent and suppress the flesh that we don’t not quench His Spirit. See

They are commanded to sanctify themselves because, “..tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” The word “wonders” means, to do something wonderful, to be too difficult, to be unusual, miraculous acts”. I want God to do wonders through you and me.

, A new beginning

God tells Joshua, I will begin to exalt you,…like Moses. This is a beautiful picture of our Joshua, Jesus. In His earthly life, He life a rather ordinary life up to age 30. It was at that point He went into this same Jordan and was Baptized and the Spirit came upon Him in the form of a Dove. His public ministry began after the Spirit came upon Him. See If we lack power, boldness and effectiveness, it could be that we have never crossed over Jordan.

, Putting your whole, “sole” into it

The first thing to notice here is that the Jordan doesn’t just part but that the priests bearing the Ark had to step into the Jordan and stand there and wait. V13 tells us that as soon as they stepped in, the moment their soles touched the Jordan the waters are cut off. Q - how did they know the waters had stopped? They didn’t know and could not see what was happening upstream. Our lesson here seems obvious, we are asked to walk by faith and not sight. God commands and we obey whether we understand how or not. Usually we don’t. The song says “trust and obey, cause there is no other way to be happy in Jesus”. So in other words just like the priests in the story, we must put our whole soul into it.

Joshua encourages the people, this is how you will know the living God is among them. By removing the “ites” from the land and that the Ark of the Lord of all the Earth is going before them. Q- How do we know that the living God is among us? The fellowship of the Holy Spirit with our Spirit. You sense Him, even more you sense when He is not there.

The waters upstream stand up in a heap as by an invisible dam.

It is interesting to note that God chose to bring the Israelites to the promised land at harvest time. The Jordan today is a smallish river in comparison to what it was in in past centuries. They say the Jordan averaged 100 ft in width but at harvest it could be as much as one mile. It seems God wanted to be sure that everyone knew that it was His Hand that made this possible.

It is interesting to ask, how long did the priests stand in the river. We read that the Jordan stopped up river near the town of Adam. It says it was very far away, one commentator said it was 19 miles away. How long would that take? We sometimes in faith step out and say something or pray for something and then we wait. God is not in a hurry. But we can rest in the fact that He hears us. See 1 john 5: 14 -15 Are we willing to wait?

The priests stood firm in the Jordan on dry ground until all had passed over. Ho long does it take 3 million people to cross a one mile wide river. May God give us the patience wait on His people and His work.