MAY 1, 2016
JOSHUA MAGNIFIED BEFORE THE PEOPLE
INTRODUCTION:
1. The divine historian, in recording the incredible event of Israel’s crossing over Jordan, seems to have been reluctant to leave the subject. As he repeats the story, it is as if he was being careful not to leave out even the slightest detail of something so monumental that the Lord would have it memorialized for future generations, so that upon inquiry, they could learn exactly what He had done in bringing His people into the land. As the writer again recaps the story in our present passage we do notice the addition of certain details, and also the added emphasis that he gives to certain other parts of it.
2. In our present passage the writer seems to give particular emphasis to Joshua’s diligence as he took command of the operation, and carefully and meticulously directed the people in accordance with the divine plan. This fact is key to understanding why the Holy Spirit moved the sacred writer to again repeat much of what he had before recorded concerning this glorious event. God had said to Joshua in Chapter 3:7, “….This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel…” Now we read of the fulfillment of that promise, “On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses…..” (Ch. 4:14)
I. HERE WE HAVE JOSHUA IN COMMAND. (VERSES 10-13)
A. IT IS PARTICULARLY NOTED THAT JOSHUA ORDERED THE WHOLE OPERATION IN EXACT ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS. (VERSE 10)
1. The priests who carried the Ark stood with their feet firmly planted in the midst of Jordan until every last detail of the Word of the Lord was accomplished. The divine presence that prepares our way requires promptitude, but not haste to the point of neglecting holy precepts.
2. Notice, the Lord’s Word included “all that Moses commanded Joshua.” Since we read of no specific orders given by Moses regarding this matter, this must have reference to the Law of Moses in general. (Ch. 1:8)
3. The true greatness of Joshua, as also of Moses, was his faithfulness to the Word of the Lord. His magnification in the eyes of the people was directly related to his unwavering obedience as the Lord’s faithful minister.
B. THERE WAS S SENSE OF URGENCY CONVEYED IN JOSHUA’S COMMAND TO THE PEOPLE. “THE PEOPLE HASTED AND PASSED OVER.” (VERSE 10c)
1. This sense of urgency was not due to any fear that God’s power was limited in any way. (Isa. 28:16)
2. Whether the people were ordered to make haste, or did it on their own, it is always wise not to delay in obeying God. Let us never hesitate, but rather be swift. Confidence in God’s sovereign power should never be a sedative, but just the opposite; it ought to be a stimulant.
3. We hope their making haste reflected an eagerness to leave the wilderness. Why would they linger in the place of death? (Gen. 19:15. 22) We also trust that this reflected a strong desire for the land of Canaan, and their new life.
4. May there be such an eagerness with us; to leave the life of sin, to follow our Captain and be a part of His church, the fellowship of His people.
C. JOSHUA GAVE COMMANDMENT TO THE PEOPLE AS TO THE ORDER OF THEIR MARCH. (VERSES 11-13)
1. The fighting forces led the way, ready for battle. This included troops from the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. This was according to what they had previously agreed to do. (Num. 32:1-7; 16-23; Josh. 1:12-16) In all, there were about forty thousand prepared for war. They all passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. (Verses 12, 13)
a) Notice, they passed over before the Lord. They went past the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant, and went on before. But, they went before the Lord also in the sense that they went before His face, and according to His orders.
b) They went bravely unto battle, even to the plains of Jericho. So far as they knew, they were to soon engage the enemy.
2. All of the people followed after. They marched in order according to tribe, until all were clean passed over. (Verse 11a)
3. Finally, the priests bearing the Ark passed over. (Verse 11b)
4. Though they made haste, the march was not chaotic, but orderly. All things were done decently and in order, because they all obeyed the commands of their Captain. (I Cor. 14:40) It is when every man does that which is right in his own eyes that holy order is sacrificed.
II. HERE WE HAVE JOSHUA MAGNIFIED IN THE EYES OF ALL ISRAEL. (VERSES 14-18)
A. THIS MAGNIFICATION OF JOSHUA WOULD EXALT HIM TO THE STATURE AND EMINENCE OF MOSES IN THE VIEW OF THE PEOPLE. (VERSE 14)
1. God had promised that by this display on this day the people would recognize that He was with Joshua in the same way as He was with Moses. (Ch. 3:7)
2. Now, through this exercise of authority and leadership God has caused Joshua to be revered by the people as Moses had been. “And they feared him, as they feared Moses.”
3. This elevation would be permanent. “…all the days of his life.”
B. JOSHUA’S COMMAND OF THE PRIESTS SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO HIS BEING MAGNIFIED BEFORE THE PEOPLE. (VERSES 15-18)
1. Compare Verses 14, 15 with Ch. 3:7, 8.
2. That which represented God’s presence was moved according to Joshua’s command of the priests who bore it.
a) God is pleased to be moved according to the word spoken by His ordained servants, by His Word which He puts in their mouth.
b) What an amazing truth this is. By it, God demonstrated conclusively that Joshua was His anointed leader.
3. The priests willingly obeyed Joshua’s orders.
a) They did not act according to their own reasoning, which would have suggested that once all the people were clean passed over, they were free to go. Instead they stood firm until Joshua said to them, “Come up out of Jordan.”
b) We too are a royal priesthood (I Pet. 2:9), we are made kings and priests unto God (Rev. 1:6), yet we must do as our Great Joshua commands us, and move as He tells us.
4. The people observed that just as the waters of Jordan were held back according to the command of Joshua, so also they were turned loose even as he gave the order to the priests to come up out of the midst of Jordan. (Verse 18)
a) It was all by God’s power, but according to the command of Joshua.
b) Thus, all mediatorial power is given to Jesus Christ, and we are under His authority as His church.
III. THE EXACT DATE THAT MARKED THIS GLORIOUS MIRACLE WAS RECORDED AND DULY MEMORIALIZED. (VERSES 19-24)
A. THE EXACT DAY AND MONTH IS CAREFULLY NOTED. (VERSES 19)
1. It was forty years after they came out of Egypt, as the Lord had before spoken. (Num. 14:32ff)
2. To be exact, they came into the land four days before the annual observance of Passover, thus they arrived on the very day on which preparation for the solemn feast was to begin. (Exod.12:3)
3. Was this by happenstance? The Lord would have their entrance sanctified by observing the Passover, a feast that had been neglected for forty years.
B. THE MEMORIAL FOR WHICH THE STONES WERE GATHERED IN ADVANCE WILL NOW BE SET UP. (VERSES 20-24)
1. The purpose for the monument is now repeated again. (Verses 21-24)
2. These twelve stones will be made into a monument which will correspond to that which was now beneath the waters of Jordan in the midst of the river.
3. As these stones were for a memorial, so also we have our sacred memorials. We have observed in a previous lesson how that these two corresponding memorials, when taken together, can be seen as representing the church’s ordinances of baptism, as one speaks of our burial with Christ, and the other speaks of our resurrection with Christ. However, taken separately, they may be seen as representing the two ordinances of the church.
a) Those stones buried beneath the waters represent the ordinance of baptism.
b) These visible stones represent the second ordinance of the church which is the Lord’s Supper.
c) We take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of what is pictured in baptism.
d) Clearly, there is a proper order for their observance.
4. As these ordinances remind us of what the Lord has done for us, let us then take this knowledge to all the world. (Verse 24; Matt. 28:18-20)
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