Joshua 3 (7)

Read Joshua 3

Reflect.
1.  Review Exodus 14, Israel’s escape from Egypt through the Red Sea. In what ways was the crossing of the Jordan like this? How were they different? 

2.  The name Moses means “drawn out.” The name Joshua means “he delivers.” How was the name of each man appropriate for his calling? 

Think about it.
Many of those who walked across that dry Jordan River bed would have been carried across the dry bed of the Red Sea forty years earlier. Joshua and Caleb were the only adults to survive the generation that witnessed the parting of the Red Sea. Then, God drew His people out from captivity in Egypt, destroying their enemies and bringing them to Himself at Mt. Sinai. Now, He was delivering them into the land promised so long ago (Gen. 12.1-3), where He would destroy their enemies and establish them as a holy people unto Himself.

It was fitting that He should do such a mighty work as Joshua 3 records, to assure His people of His presence and impress them by His power. God’s presence and power meant that His promises would be sure to all who heard His voice and obeyed. God was in their midst, a reality every Israelite would have had driven home as they walked past that stationary ark, borne by those nameless, faithful priests and Levites. Knowing they were to cross the Jordan, the people must have imagined themselves wading a ford, carrying their young ones and goods, struggling with all the strength they could muster to make it safely to the promised land on the other side. They could not have imagined what Joshua revealed in verse 13 and the LORDaccomplished in verses 14-16. The mighty feat of crossing the Jordan would not be their doing, but God’s.

Wonder, amazement, fear, hope, excitement – all these affections and more must have washed over the hearts of the people of Israel as they emerged from that dry river bed onto the shores of the promised land. In the presence of such glory, they, like the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, may have been content to stay there, gazing back at that river and contemplating what they had just experienced. 

But the mighty works of the God Who was with them had only just begun.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  How does the life of faith involve both a “drawing out” and a “delivering into”?

2.  What is the role of leaders in the community of faith? What can leaders learn from Joshua 1-3 about how to fulfill their calling?

3.  Once “all” Israel had “all” “completely” crossed the Jordan, they were in the land of promise. But this was just the beginning of their laying hold on that land and the promises of God attached to it. How is their experience a symbol of the life of faith?

“But Jesus [Joshua], son of Nave [Nun], was a type of him in many things; for when he began to rule the people, he began from the Jordan; thence also did Christ begin to preach the gospel after he was baptized. The son of Nave [Nun] appoints the twelve to divide the inheritance; and Jesus sends forth the twelve apostles, heralds of truth, into the whole world.” Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 AD)

Thank You, Lord for drawing me out of the life of sin and delivering me into the power of Your presence and Your very great promises. Today, help me lay hold on this truth more firmly as I…

Pray Psalm 105.
How many parallels between God’s work for Israel and Christ’s work for you can you find in this psalm? Give thanks and praise for each one as you pray through it.

Psalm 105 (Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the Lord Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry! 
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand. 

Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part. 
Him and His strength and presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak. 

You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand! 
He is our Lord, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth. 

He will His covenant faithfully guard – His oath, the promise of His Word. 
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!

He brought His people from Egypt alive, and made their joy and song revive. 
He made the nations’ land their own, and all the wealth that they had known. 

To them He granted the promised land, the portion of His gracious hand. 
Though they were few, and wandered far, He kept them close within His heart. 

So let us all in our Savior confide, and in His holy Law abide. 
Let us observe His glorious Word, and praise our sovereign, faithful Lord!

T. M. Moore

The seven lessons in this week’s study in the book of Joshua, and all previous weeks, are available as free downloads by clicking 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).