The Crossing of the Jordan | Part Two

Joshua 3-4

Once the Israelites crossed the Jordan, God didn't have them offer a sacrifice. He didn't have them feast or fast. He had them stack 12 stones from the riverbed as a reminder.

Their greatest danger at this point is that they might forget God's faithfulness. They had always been this way.

I'll prove it: In Exodus 13, God brought them out of Egyptian slavery with a mighty hand and many miracles. They started a yearly feast and a tradition associated with their firstborn to remember it; yet by chapter 14 they lost their faith because of an approaching army.

So God parted the Red Sea to deliver them, an unbelievable miracle. In chapter 15, Moses taught the nation a song of remembrance; yet by chapter 16, they lost their faith again because they were thirsty and hungry.

So God provided water and food to eat (manna from heaven). God instructed them to keep some manna in a jar to pass down to future generations so they wouldn't forget God's faithfulness; yet by chapter 17 they lost their faith yet again because of thirst. And on it goes until they finally create their own little god in the form of a calf.

Israel was prone to look ahead to the dangers of the future and forget about the provision of the past. Now, on the other side of the Jordan, they have another chance. God instructs them to stack stones so that when their children see them, they'll ask and hear the story of God's faithfulness at the Jordan River.

What does this mean for us? We must work to remember God's faithfulness. If we don't work to remember God's faithfulness, we'll forget. If we forget, we'll lapse into despair and disaster.

Don't let an instance of God's faithfulness go unremembered. Write it in a journal. Put a reminder on your refrigerator. Plant a tree. Do something to serve as a reminder so that when you're up against a danger again, you won't feel like it's the first time.

Husbands and fathers, add this to your job description. This is a way to protect and provide spiritually for your family. Don't let them forget God's faithfulness. Work with your wives on this because their ideas and memories will certainly be better than yours. But initiate it.

We're facing an epidemic of spiritual Alzheimer's. Our memories of God's work in our lives vanish, leaving us terrified. Let's fight this disease together.

*If you've thought of a creative way to remember God's faithfulness, participate in our Facebook discussion.

The Crossing of the Jordan | Part One

Joshua 3-4

The spies had returned and it was time to march into the Promised Land. As Israel prepared, God instructed Joshua regarding the Ark of the Covenant.

The priests were to carry it in front of the people, leading the way to the edge of the flooded Jordan River.

The Ark was the holiest and most central object in the tabernacle, the place in which God met with Moses. The ornate box contained the law given to Moses.

For the people of Israel, this sacred object was a clear representation of God's presence and God's word. As Joshua watched the priests carrying it to the front of the nation of Israel, God's commands from chapter one must have echoed in his mind. Don't be afraid Joshua. I'm with you. Focus on my law.

Joshua's confidence in God shines through in verse five when he commands the people to "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." We see no indication that he knew what would happen once the nation reached the Jordan at this point; yet he is sure that God will do wondrous things.

He's trusting in God's presence and God's word, moving ahead with confidence. THEN, God lays out the plan: Just as the Exodus began with a miraculously parted Sea, so it would end with a miraculously dammed river.

Those carrying the Ark were to step into the great river and wait for the waters to stop. Then the nation would cross on dry land, passing by the Ark in the middle of the riverbed.

As they passed the Ark, there could be no doubt that this was an act of God. The same God that gave them the law. What a visual teaching moment for God's people.

God didn't have to do it this way. He could have beamed the inhabitants of the land out an the Israelites in. In fact, the Israelites didn't even need a miraculous crossing. They were in no hurry. There was an Egyptian army on their heels when Moses led them through the Red Sea. This time they could have built rafts if they wanted to.

But God ordained that they would cross a miraculously dried up riverbed, the Ark standing between them and the piled up waters.

The message: trust in God and walk in His law.

The ultimate fulfillment: Jesus Christ. Jesus is God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the word in person (John 1). Jesus stands between us and the piled up waters of damnation and disaster. Follow him as the Israelites followed the Ark of the Covenant and you will be saved.