Joshua 3 (3)

And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’” Joshua 3.7, 8

Reflect.
1.  Meditate on Matthew 1.18-23. How does this connect the events of Matthew’s gospel with the book of Joshua? How do the events of Acts 2 (the pouring-out of the Holy Spirit) fulfill the promise of Joshua 3.7 and Matthew 1.18-23?

2.  God promised to exalt Joshua, to give him a great name before the people of Israel. In what sense would his name be “great”?

Think about it.
This Word from the LORD comes as affirmation of all that Joshua has done to this point and instruction for Israel’s next steps. God is pleased with Joshua, so He promises to make him even greater in the sight of all Israel than he was at present. There would be no doubt in anyone’s mind that as God was with Moses, so He was with Joshua as well.

That last point is important, but not entirely clear. God does not explain precisely how He will make Joshua’s name great – a direct reference to His promises, by the way (cf. Gen. 12.1-3) – or of what that greatness will consist, except that the people will know He is with him. Jesus holds out the prospect of greatness to His followers (cf. Matt. 5.17-19, Mk. 10.42-45), but He is more explicit about what this entails. Like Joshua, Jesus’ followers should accept the challenge of seeking greatness in His Kingdom.

Now God gives Joshua a second command for the priests, who are carrying the ark of the covenant within sight of all the people of Israel. They are to enter the Jordan and stand there. Let’s remember that all the information they have at present is that they are going to cross over the Jordan River (1.10, 11). Perhaps like the spies had done, at a proper fording-place (Josh. 2.7)? Joshua understood otherwise (v. 13), but how he knew this we do not know.

The people might have balked at the idea of crossing the Jordan at this time, since it was in flood stage and overflowing its banks (v. 15). Joshua would not leave them to wonder about this for very long (v. 13). But one thing at a time.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  God gives instructions to Joshua one step at a time. The more he obeys the Word of the LORD, the more of His Word and will the LORD reveals. What should Joshua have learned from this? Is there a principle here for us?

2.  Once again, the LORD emphasizes that the priests, who are carrying the ark of the covenant, must be out front and visible. Yet these are not Israel’s military commanders, and the task ahead of Israel was a military one. What’s the message here?

3.  Since God could speak so plainly to Joshua, why didn’t He just gather the people and tell them Himself what they should do? What makes someone a leader through whom God speaks and works?

“And he commands the priests to go before the people with the ark of the covenant. It is then, too, that the mystery of the dispensation of the Father with the Son is manifested, since the Son is highly exalted by him who grants ‘that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’” Origen of Alexandria (9185-254 AD)

Help me to hear Your Word clearly, Lord, so that I may shelter in it and wield it today to…

Pray Psalm 12.1-8.
God’s Word is our shelter against the lies and deceptions of our unbelieving age. Ask Him to bring His Word to your mind as you face temptations, trials, and tasks for the day ahead. Choose a stanza of the following version of Psalm 12 to memorize and use as a shield and sword in the spiritual warfare.

Psalm 12.1-8 (Hamburg: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
Help, Lord! The godly cease to be; they who believe in Christ are few.
Falsely the wicked confidently flatter, deceive, and mock Your truth.

Stop, Lord, the lips that utter lies, all those who speak with boasting tongue!
See how Your holy Word they despise, while their own praises they have sung.

Rise up, O Lord, and rescue all Your precious children sore distressed.
Save those who faithfully on You call; grant them deliv’rance, peace, and rest.

Your words are pure and proven true, like silver seven times refined;
You will preserve Your Word ever new, and keep the heart to You inclined.

Proudly the wicked strut and stand; Your indignation builds on high.
Men may exalt their wicked plans, but You will judge them by and by.

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.

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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).