Joshua 3 (1)

Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” Joshua 3.1-4

Reflect.
1.  We will notice that Israel crossed into Canaan by several discreet stages, rather than all at once. Why do you suppose this was so? 

2.  The people had the ark of God – His presence – with them, but they were not to come near it. Why?

Think about it.
Mustering and moving well over a million people was a complicated undertaking. We’ve seen that Israel was organized by tribes and households, with leaders appointed at various levels. Moses had learned this from his father-in-law (Ex. 18), and God explicitly commanded that officers and leaders should be appointed for the tribes and households of Israel (Num. 11.16; Deut. 16.18-20). This would have made for great efficiency in moving the people forward; still, mobilizing the people for the advance on Canaan was no easy task.

We can almost hear the clanking of cookware, calls to children playing throughout the camp, prayers and excited talk, as officers call out the instructions and people make arrangements for the next three, and final, days in this encampment.

Joshua would bring the people along gradually, making sure at each stage that they were well prepared for what would happen next. Progressing by stages also provided the people with opportunities to follow commands that, perhaps to some, might not have made much sense. If the people of the land were terrified, why not just rush them now and get on with seizing their farms and homes? It would be important that the people learn to follow Joshua’s instructions, and moving them toward Canaan in increments would have provided useful practice in obeying orders.

Sadly, not even these repeated exercises would help all the people learn obedience to their leaders.

As they began to move, all eyes were to focus on the ark of the LORD (v. 2). Though they had able leaders, the people must at all times bear in mind that God is going before them in this undertaking. We can see this great nation of people preparing to move as one, and feel the charged air of excitement, expectation, fear, and faith that must have stirred on the plains of Moab.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  The conquest of Canaan would depend on Israel’s keeping focused on God’s promises and trusting in His Word. How can you see that in these verses? 

2.  Why was it important that a space of around three-fourths a mile should be maintained between the people and the ark of the covenant? What does this suggest about Israel’s relationship with God? About our relationship with Him?

3.  During their sojourn in the wilderness, the tribes of Israel organized around the ark of the covenant. When they moved, the ark was surrounded in the middle of the people, and the various tribes were appointed to stations around the ark (cf. Num. 10.11-28). Now the ark would go before them all, with only a handful of priests and Levites leading the way. What does this change signify?

“But remember that it is written, ‘Those who draw near to me, draw near to fire.’ If you are gold and silver and have drawn near to the fire, you will shine forth more splendid and glowing because of the fire. But if you are conscious of building ‘wood, hay and stubble’ upon the foundation of your faith, and you approach the fire with such building, you will be consumed. Blessed, therefore, are those who are very near, who are so very near that the fire illumines and does not burn them. Nevertheless, even Israel will be saved; but it will be saved from far away, and it makes its journey not by its own power but by the support and foresight of the priests.”Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

Draw me near, O Lord, and purify me for this day’s journey. Help me to prepare well so that…

Pray Psalm 15.
Ask the Lord to make you a person fit to journey in His presence in all the ways mentioned in this psalm.

Psalm 15 (Arlington: This is the Day the Lord Has Made)
Lord, who may dwell within Your tent, or on Your holy hill?
All those who keep Your covenant and walk within Your will. 

All they who with integrity work peace and righteousness,
Forever in God’s house shall be forgiven, kept, and blessed. 

Let truth from every heart proceed, and slander disappear: 
Thus shall we know God’s grace indeed and feel His presence near.

No evil to your neighbor speak, nor turn against your friend:
Thus shall you know the end you seek – God’s presence without end. 

Let every sinner be despised; but those who fear the Lord
Shall honor have before our eyes, according to God’s Word.

All they who keep their word in faith, though suffering may ensue, 
Shall know the favor of God’s grace, His presence ever true. 

No greed and no injustice shall they do who seek the Lord; 
But on His mercy ever call and stand upon His Word.

T. M. Moore

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