APRIL 17, 2016
THE CROSSING OF JORDAN
INTRODUCTION:
1. God had said to Joshua, “This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel.” (Verse 7a) God had before made known that Joshua was their new leader and the people had already pledged their allegiance to him as such, however, it would be the crossing of Jordan that would actually begin his magnification in their eyes.
2. As it was in the crossing of the Jordan, which is a picture of water baptism, that God began to magnify Joshua, likewise, it was at the baptism of the greater Joshua in the Jordan River that God the Father began to magnify Him before the people. (Matt. 3:17) it was He Whom the people were instructed to follow. (John 1:32-37; 3:26-30)
3. Just as the crossing of Jordan would separate the people form the wilderness and introduce them to the conflicts of Canaan, so also in believer’s baptism Christians show forth their commitment to leave the wilderness wanderings of this world and follow their great Captain as He leads His armies in spiritual warfare. In baptism we also declare our covenant relationship to God, and witness to all that He, by His glorious power, has parted the waters, as it were, that we might escape from the wilderness of death and cross over into His Kingdom.
4. The people had gathered in obedient faith at the water’s edge expecting to cross over, but as yet, not knowing how. Thus, it will be in obedience to Joshua’s command that the people will see Joshua magnified. However Joshua, as a true picture of Christ, will deflect all glory back to God the Father.
I. JOSHUA CALLED UPON THE PEOPLE TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. (VERSES 9-13)
A. JOSHUA WAS THE SPOKESMAN, BUT THAT WHICH HE SPOKE WAS FROM THE LORD. “AND JOSHUA SAID…HEAR THE WORDS OF THE LORD YOUR GOD.” (VERSE 9)
1. He demanded their immediate and undivided attention. “Come hither, and hear…” Whatever may have had their attention at the time, they were to leave off with it. The sound of every other voice was to be silenced in order to hear the Lord’s words exclusively. When God speaks, even if it be through a servant, it demands our full and immediate attention.
2. He had before said, “Sanctify yourselves,” now it was time to hear what they had prepared their hearts to receive. While we must prepare our hearts for the Word of God, it is, in fact, His Word that sanctifies. (John 17:17)
B. JOSHUA WOULD NOW REVEAL TO THE PEOPLE WHAT THE LORD HAD REVEALED TO HIM. (VERSES 10-13)
1. He begins with a word of encouragement very similar to that which the Lord had spoken to him. (Verse 10; compare Ch. 1:4-6) The encouragement is in the form of a sure promise, a sure word of prophecy; that God would without fail drive out the seven nations that now occupied the land of promise. By their success, they would know that God was in their midst. And, doubtless, what is about to happen, of which Joshua will now apprise them, would certainly assure them that God was with them.
a) Joshua spoke with full confidence that it would happen even as it was told to him. (Acts 27:25) They would be able to compare the actual event to what was told them, and know that not a single detail was unfulfilled.
(1) God’s ministers can, like Joshua, speak the Word of God with all boldness and confidence.
(2) We never need to fear that any event, great or small, shall ever disprove anything God has revealed in His Word.
b) This preview was designed to impress upon the hearts of all the people that God must receive all glory, for it was according to His Word that it was done.
2. Joshua next explains what the Lord had revealed to him with respect to the miraculous manner in which God would, by the greatness of His mighty power, provide for their safe passage over this Jordan. (Verses 11, 13)
a) The Ark will pass before them into the waters of Jordan. (Verse 11) They had already been instructed that they must follow the Ark, and the order in which they were to conduct themselves. (Verses 3, 4)
b) It will be when the priests actually step into the waters that the great miracle will take place. The Lord will at that moment cause the waters to stop as if a dam suddenly appeared. The dam was, however, the invisible hand of the Lord. What a sight it must have been to behold – flood waters standing upon a heap, a literal stationary wall of water!!
c) There is no precedent to this miracle but the dividing of the Red Sea. That miracle is here repeated to show that the same mighty power of God that begins the salvation of His people also finishes it. It was repeated also to show that he Who had been with Moses is now with Joshua. (Verse 7)
3. Here again, we have a wonderful Gospel truth typically set forth. From this point it was no longer the pillar of cloud that would guide them, but the Ark of the Covenant. (Verse 8) God’s presence was made dark and veiled before, but now it is made clear. That which was dark and veiled under the Law is made clear as day in the Gospel. (II Cor. 3:7-18; Heb. 12:18-24) It is not that the Law is done away. The Tables of the Law were within the Ark that went before them, beneath the golden cover called the Mercy Seat. The Ark was, of course, a type of Christ in Whom the Law was perfectly kept, and Who is also our mercy seat. His precious blood is there applied, and it is to Him that we look.
4. Joshua here again confirmed his complete confidence in God’s promise by directing them to select twelve men (one from each tribe) who would be called upon for special service only after they had safely reached the other side. (Verse 12; Ch. 4:1-14) He did not wait to see if they would be needed, but had them selected in advance. This was done as an act of true faith.
II. HERE IS SCRIPTURE’S BRIEF ACCOUNT OF HOW GOD MIRACULOUSLY GAVE HIS PEOPLE PASSAGE OVER JORDAN INTO THE LAND OF PROMISE. (VERSES 14-17)
A. THE ABSENCE OF DRAMATIZATION IN THE BIBLICAL RECORD OF AN EVENT SO INCREDIBLE IS IN ITSELF VERY STRIKING.
1. This is no doubt because we know how men are want to publish their great achievements with the utmost drama and hyperbolic language.
2. Here the miracle speaks for itself. Only God could accomplish something so defiant of nature. Yet the plain, matter-of-fact, account given of it by the Holy Spirit tells us that omnipotence knows no difficulty. That which is impossible with men is perfectly possible with God. In fact, “God specializes in things thought impossible.” The fact that the waters of Jordan were now broader and deeper and swifter than at any other time of the year made for no greater difficulty. (Verse 15b)
3. What does this tell us about the way the Holy Spirit sometimes describes the mighty power of God in things having to do with our salvation? (Eph. 1:19-21)
4. It is always a good thing when we are made to know that our reaching the heavenly Canaan is impossible except for the grace and power of God. Since with God all things are possible, nothing can prevent Him from saving His people. (Heb. 7:25)
B. THE MIGHTY MIRACLE OCCURRED JUST WHEN THE FEET OF THE PRIESTS STEPPED INTO THE BRIM OF THE WATER. (VERSE 16a)
1. The sight must have filled the people with awe, as they watched the rapidly flowing waters form a wall on the upward side, while the lower waters flowed away, leaving the river’s bed dry.
2. Critics would label this impossible and argue that even if it were possible for water to congeal and cease to flow, the effects upstream would be devastating.
3. The answer to such objections is simple if we believe in the almighty power of the Creator, Who is the God of nature, Who can not only change its course but also alter its properties when He is pleased to do so. (Psa. 114:5, 8)
4. This mighty miracle serves to assure us that nothing can prevent the Lord form saving His people. Whatever the obstacle, whatever the resistance from whatever source, God will prevail. (Hab. 3:8-13)
C. GOD HAD CHOSEN THE PLACE OF THEIR PASSAGE SO THAT THEIR LANDING WOULD BE IN THE VERY SHADOW OF THE WALLS OF JERICHO. “THE PEOPLE PASSED OVER RIGHT AGAINST JERICHO.” (VERSE 16b)
1. This was a show of boldness, which was no doubt increased in them by the manner of their passage.
2. This would also strike even greater fear into the hearts of the men of Jericho. (Ch. 2:11, 12)
3. Then too, this area was so rich and fruitful that it would cause them to realize that the Land of Promise was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey.
4. But we must also understand that this being the place of their encampment would also be a test of their faith. This would be so because of the length of time they would be encamped, and what would need to be done before they would actually engage in warfare.
D. THE PRIESTS STOOD STILL IN THE JORDAN AGAINST THE GREAT WALL OF+ WATER WHILE THE PEOPLE PASSED OVER. (VERSE 17)
1. The Ark of God was a token of the divine presence. It was a reminder to all the people as they passed over that God had stopped the river’s flow, and He was holding back the waters for their safe passage.
2. The priests themselves, those who were God’s chosen ministers, were faithful examples to the people. How their faith was tested as they stood still against a wall that God alone kept standing. Ministers, in times of peril, are to be examples to the people.
3. The priests carried their own protection. God’s presence is our protection, but we do not carry Him, rather He carries us.
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