Joshua 3 (2)

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. Joshua 3.5, 6

Reflect.
1.  Suppose someone were to instruct you to sanctify yourself. What would you do?

2.  Would having the ark on display in front of the people help them to sanctify themselves? Why?

Think about it.
To some of the people, Joshua’s command to sanctify themselves– literally, make yourselves holy – might have seemed strange. They were preparing to cross the Jordan into Canaan, to besiege the city of Jericho – military, tactical stuff. What did spiritual matters have to do with this?

More such instructions would come, as we shall see, and they reveal Joshua’s frame of mind. He knew the conquest of the pagan nations of Canaan was ultimately the LORD’s work. The people would have to be fully invested in it, of course, and it would be difficult and dangerous. But only the LORDcould overcome their adversaries, as He had promised (Deut. 17.17-24); their responsibility was to be a people holy unto Him. God would work in, with, and through them to fulfill His promises, but they must be fit vessels for His use.

Sadly, as we shall see, that would not always be the case.

Moving the ark into position before the people helped them focus on God and His presence. When Peter stepped out of that boat onto the suddenly terra firma of the Sea of Galilee, his only hope of not sinking was to keep his eyes on Jesus. When he looked around at the winds and waves, he began to sink (Matt. 14.22-31).

Similarly, the people Joshua led needed to focus on the presence and promises of God if they expected to know His power for victory. The dangers and distractions would be many, but if Israel would look to God and trust His Word, they would realize all the promised blessings of His covenant.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  How do you keep focused on the Lord through all the duties and distractions of your daily life (Col. 3.1-3)?

2.  What would you recommend as a way of keeping yourself a fit vessel for the Lord’s work throughout your day?

3.  Meditate on Ephesians 5.15-18. How is Paul’s instruction here similar to what Joshua did in today’s text?

“It is the ark of the covenant of the Lord in which the tablets of the law written by the hand of God are preserved. And everyone who is ‘truly Israel’ proceeds around this ark of the covenant and is not far from it; but the Levites and the priests even carry it on their shoulders.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

Lord, sanctify me today, and make me a fit vessel for…

Pray Psalm 32.1-6.
Let the Spirit lead you in confessing your sins and fitting you to rise above any floods that may threaten your walk with and work for the Lord today.

Psalm 32.1-6 (Hendon: Take My Life and Let It Be)
Blessed are they whose sins the Lord has forgiven by His Word!
Pure their spirits are within; them He charges with no sin;
them He charges with no sin!

When in silence I remained, groaning in my sinful pain, 
You Your hand upon me lay; all my strength You drained away, 
all my strength You drained away.

I confessed my sin to You; You forgave me, ever true!
Let confession’s pleading sound reach You while You may be found,
reach You while You may be found.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

Not yet a subscriber to our twice-weekly Crosfigell teaching letter? If not, you’re missing a wealth of insight from Scripture and Celtic Christian leaders. Read an issue or two by clicking here, then use the pop-up at the website to update your subscriptions today.

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).