Joshua 5:1

So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.

Imagine for a moment that you’re a king on the west side of the Jordan. You’re just as informed as Rahab was. She said, “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. ”— Joshua 2:10

But, unlike Rahab, you don’t reach the conclusion she reached — "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” — Joshua 2:11

You don’t believe the “rumors.” The Jordan River is a natural barrier right now that prevents the Israeli army from invading. (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest) — Joshua 3:15b

Any attempt to cross would be dreadfully slow and the few troops that came across first would be sitting ducks for your troops. So, for now, you’re safe. You’re keeping an eye on things. If they try anything now, they’re sure to regret it.

Then the unimaginable happens. A spectacular miracle gets the whole Israeli army across in a single day. Your scouts come back terrified and report all this to you.  So, when all the kings heard … that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan … their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer.

Their culture views wars as battles between gods. They know that their gods are no match for anyone who can pull that trick off—the LORD who, “is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

Just as this miracle gives the Israelites confidence that they’ll win, so it gives the Canaanites confidence that they’ll lose.

This enables everything to come.

There is an “economy of miracles” going on here. This one miracle accomplishes a great many things. While it isn’t the last miracle—the walls of Jericho will be tumblin’ down soon—many battles will be more easily won because of the melted hearts of the Canaanites and their kings.

God foreordains means as well as ends. Miracles are not God fixing a mistake He made earlier.

They are part of His eternal plan.

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Weekend DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs 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. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.