Joshua Chapter 3

Crossing the Jordan,

Joshua was about to make history, but also lead the people of Israel into the unknown. He camped on the edge for 3 days. And then the orders came out. The ark of the covenant carried by the priests will lead the way into the promised land. Follow the priests, and consecrate yourself. God is Going to do some amazing stuff!

Joshua tells the priests to go before the people with the ark, maybe he did this to keep them calm. To remind them that God goes before them, and reminded them to keep their distance.

It's here that God starts revealing his plan, Telling Joshua to send the priests with the ark into the middle of the rushing Jordan telling them to go and stand in the middle of the Jordan. With the promise. Today I'm going to show these people that I am with you, as I was with Moses.

Joshua's response was to immediately gather and tell the people what God had just told him, and even a little more. Saying this is going to be a sign of what God will do! He's going to lead you into the land across the Jordan. All the nations who now live there will be driven out before you.

Jordan suddenly became a symbol of the promised land. Over run and impossible to cross.

But as soon as the priests' feet touched the water. It gathered up in a heap... the water gathered upstream in a heap. Yup red sea repeat. God was reminding them, that he was still right there with them. And this guy is my new Moses.

From a spy to a savior. Man Joshua had come a long way. And what a spot they decided to cross the river. Right opposite Jericho. Imagine what it would have been like. The kind of tension, to see the invading force camp outside your city, across a strong river. Making plans to hold them at the bridges. Or advance when they begin to cross.

And then they put their priests in front and advance. It must have seemed comical to any general watching. But then the water stopped running. They would have freaked out! That God is coming to take our city. Forget Israel. How can we overcome their God?

Okay so what did I notice?

God honors bold and bright leadership. Joshua was a man who sought God and also knew God was the one who was leading them not him. At least that's what I think he wanted to show by sending the Ark before the people. And God honored that.

Joshua revealed to the people quickly, what God revealed to him. He didn't tarry.

The priests had guts and executed the leaders plans, even when it would have seemed like suicide to carry a heavy ark, the treasure of the people of Israel and the symbol of their God, into enemy territory across a raging river.

The priests also stood in the river upholding the symbol of God until all the people crossed over.
God cares about every last one of his people. Leave no one behind.

What God did upstream everyone harvesting down stream would have noticed. (It was harvest time, people were in the fields)