Josh (09-21-08)
Sept 21, 2008
“Crossing the Jordan River” Josh 3:1-17
Crossing the Jordan River into Canaan ( The Promised Land ) this was a major turning point as far as the faith of the Israelites was concerned
Some 40 years earlier the children of Israel had faced .. a similar crisis but they had failed their faith because .. they would not enter the land
To walk into the wilderness of Sinai after crossing the Red Sea that required some faith .. true
But .. to invade the land of Canaan when crossing the Jordan River … this took a great deal more faith because .. having crossed the Jordan there would be no possibility of escape …
you see .. once they got into Canaan they would have to face the enemy & their .. armies / chariots / & walled cities
And yet .. the entire nation of Israel took this step of faith together … in complete trust & commitment to their God [1]
Last week .. we examined the faith of Rahab & now today .. we’ll focus in on … the faith of an entire nation [2]
Read Josh 3:1-17 Pray
As we study .. keep in mind that this book deals with much more than ancient history / & wars … what God did centuries ago for the Jews is about our lives & the life of church .. today it’s what God wants to do with us / here & now using those of us .. who trust / obey Him
The Book of Joshua is about just that … the victory .. that comes thru faith & the glory that we give to God when we trust & obey Him & His Word [3]
As a Christian we’re either a victor or a victim
After all .. God saved us for a reason … He saved us .. to make soldiers out of us so that we would move forward .. by faith to claim our rich inheritance / blessing in J.C.
Moses said it perfectly in Deut 6:23
He brought us out from there in order to bring us in
( & why did God call us to a life of faith )
He brought us out .. to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers
( listen now )
Too many of God’s people .. today have the mistaken idea that salvation … like being delivered from the bondage in Egypt is all that is involved in the Christian life no .. not at all .. we are called for service ( as they were to be warriors .. so are we )
But salvation is only the beginning of our faith both in our .. personal spiritual growth but also .. in our service for the Lord just as Joshua said
Joshua 13:1
now Joshua was old & advanced in years when the Lord said to him you are old & advanced in years & very much of the land remains to be possessed
in other words .. get out there Joshua … there is still work to be done
The theme of the Book of Joshua is likened to the theme in Heb 6:1
therefore … leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ let us press on to maturity / ie: there is more to do not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works .. & of faith toward God
& the only way to move ahead in our lives is to move forward .. by faith
John tells us very plainly in 1 John 5:4
this is the victory that has overcome the world ( what is it .. of course ) .. our faith [4]
Unbelief says .. let’s go back to where it’s safe .. but faith says .. let’s go forward to where God is working ( Num 14:1-4 ) [5]
1) then all the congregation lifted up their voices & cried & the people wept that night
2) all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses & Aaron & the whole congregation said to them would that we had died in the land of Egypt or would that we had died in this wilderness
3) why is the Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword .. our wives & our little ones will become plunder .. would it not be better for us to return to Egypt
4) so they said to one another let us appoint a leader .. & return to Egypt
40 years earlier .. Joshua & Caleb had assured the Jews .. saying
let us go up at once .. & possess the land for we are well able to overcome it .. that’s faith
But the people said .. we are not able ( let’s go back to Egypt … that is unbelief ) & their unbelief .. cost the nation of Israel 40 yrs .. of wandering in the wilderness & their not getting into the Promised Land
God hasn’t changed .. He cannot … & His principles of faith hasn’t changed either ( what seems to have changed ) is the attitude of us / God’s people we no longer believe God & we no longer act by faith upon His promises ( people .. His promises never fail )
( can we not believe Heb 13:5 ??? )
“… for He Himself has said .. I will never desert you .. nor will I ever forsake you”
In Josh 23:14 Joshua tells the people
now behold .. today I am going the way of all the earth ( he was about to die & so he tells / reminds them ) & you know in all your hearts & in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed .. all .. have been fulfilled for you not one of them has failed
( but here is the sad part ) … we can fail to live .. by the grace & by the promises of God & consequently .. not enter into all that He has promised for us .. & we fail to enter in .. simply because of unbelief [6]
Heb 3:19 reminds us of this truth
so we see that they were not able to enter ( why ) .. because of unbelief
( God’s Word & our walk .. all by faith )
we are given 2 essentials for moving ahead God Word v1-13 / our walk of faith v14-17 [7]
· Joshua’s word to the people ( v5 )
consecrate / sanctify / purify themselves meaning to bath themselves & their clothes
Exodus 19:10
the Lord also said to Moses go to the people & consecrate them today & tomorrow & let them wash their garments
Some of God’s promises are unconditional meaning .. all we have to do is believe them … while other promises are conditional we’re require to meet / do certain conditions
In meeting or doing these conditions we’re not earning God’s blessing … we’re simply making sure our hearts are ready for His blessings / ie: obedience
· Joshua’s word to the priests ( v6 ) was that they had the responsibility
of carrying the ark & going in .. before the people
It was the priests who had to get their feet wet before God would open the waters & they stood in the middle of the river until .. all the people had passed thru
When the priests arrived on the other side the water would return to its original condition
It took faith & courage for these priests to do their job .. but they trusted God & relied on the faithfulness of His Word [8]
· God’s word to Joshua ( v7-8 ) He said / both Moses & Joshua had received their authority & instructions from the Lord
that ought to be true of every servant of Christ
· Finally .. God’s word to the people v9-13
having instructed the priests bearing the ark Joshua then shared the Words of the Lord ( note ) he didn’t magnify himself he magnified his Lord …
reminding them of His promises and .. His Word of faith encouraging them to simply trust & obey [9]
Note v10 .. Joshua called their God / & his “the living God” & in v11 & v13 “the Lord of all the earth”
you see .. it was “the Lord of all the earth” “their Living God”
who was going before them & He would open the way [10]
· In the walk of faith ( v14-17 )
we see that unless .. we step out by faith “get our feet wet” … so to speak we’re not likely to make much progress in living for Christ & serving Him
this journey we are on is a journey of total faith … nothing more & nothing less
Each step that the priests took opened the water before them until they were standing in the midst of the river .. on dry ground
& when the whole nation had crossed the priests walked to the shore & the flow of the water resumed [11]
( the truth of our faith is this ) we never stand still in the Christian life we either move forward .. in faith or go backward .. in unbelief [12]
Rom 10:17
so faith comes from hearing & hearing by the Word of Christ
Verses:
Deut 6:23
Josh 13:1
Heb 6:1
1 John 5:4
Num 14:1-4
Heb 13:5
Josh 23:14
Heb 3:19
Ex 19:10
Rom 10:17
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[1]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (2:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:14). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[12]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1993). Be strong (Jos 3:14). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.