You Have Not Passed This Way Before
Notes
Transcript
Read: Joshua 3:1-6
Read: Joshua 3:1-6
1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; 3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. 5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
It seems that God is a pioneer, He travels to places no one has ever gone before. But He also takes his people to places they have never been before.
Unprecedented
Unusual
New
Words that often describe the life, labors, and experiences of normal everyday, ordinary Christians.
Take our recent experiences -
While the entire world is sharing in global pandemic of Covid-19 something that has never happened before.
While we are in a time in America where the election process has never been questioned and doubted
Where medicine, and medical knowledge is doubted and conspired against
Territory we have never been before.
This is where the children of Israel find themselves in our story, While yes they had been in Egypt for many years (400 to be in fact)
They have wondered around the wilderness for forty years- become comfortable and accustomed.
But now they were facing changes, facing something new
They were going where they had never been.
That English word “heretofore” mostly translated “before” in other English translations is from two Hebrew words that mean “since yesterday” and “the third day”
Just a couple of thoughts about their not passing this way before.
They Had not passed this way before - so they had to get ready -
It is fascinating to me to hear, read, or watch about someone who is going to attempt a record breaking, or near impossible feat.
The first thing they do, if they are serious about accomplishing their goal - is to see what they need to do.
They will call in experts, engineers, scientists, dietitians, personal trainers, etc sparing no expense, they are going to do this and do it right.
So it is with the Children of Israel - going to new places, sometimes requires new preparations - changes are never fun - but doing the same thing over and over expecting new results is the definition of insanity -
They had to:
Sanctify themselves: Joshua 3:5 that meant to become ceremonially clean, to remove anything that was displeasing to God.
They had to Watch the Ark: Josh 3:3 The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God’s presence and they were to keep their eye on that not the person in front, beside, or behind them.
Part of watching the Ark mean to keep a space between them and the Ark of 2,000 cubits (about half a mile) Josh. 3:4
They had to be ready to go: Their belongings had to be packed, their socks and shoes on, their coats and hats in hand no last minute preparing - be ready to march as soon as the Ark begins to move.
Be ready to go when the light turns green - to finish your text, or your drink, or your nap - be ready to go
They Had not passed this way before - So they had to go
Sometimes I’ts hard to go from your comfort zone - it’s easier and more comfortable there- but We have to get up and go sometimes.
There was no intent on coming back - we are leaving here and crossing Jordan and getting into the promise land.
Change is never easy or even welcomed - but to get to where they had not passed before, a lot had to change - and so it will be with us.
If you are the same person spiritually you was 10 years ago, you are still in the wilderness it’s time to pack up your things and get across the Jordan
We should be gaining new ground, entering new lands, crossing new rivers, passing places we have not passed before.
They Had not passed this way before - so they had someone going before
The Ark symbolizes God’s presence and it wasn’t in the middle, or behind, it was way out in front so everyone would and could follow
But I also love Joshua 3:7 listen to this:
7 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
God was with them
We are facing new territory a new year, unknown things ahead of us enemies, battles, struggles, tests, trials, all kinds of things - But we have Someone out Ahead of us who is also with us
No we haven’t passed this way before, but We’ve been with God all this time and He’s not going to fail me now.