Can you imagine the excitement, anticipation and awe that the Israelite people must have been feeling as they finally crossed into the Promised Land? They were about to leave their nomadic life behind and settle down in a plentiful land. In crossing the Jordan River, they were crossing the final barrier to being “home” for good. Yet at the same time, everything was brand new.
Below are several insights from the river crossing in Joshua 4, that might be helpful as we move forward into all that God has ahead for us.
Trust God’s timing
Notice that they crossed the Jordan River on the 10th day of the first month (Joshua 4:19). Forty years previously, this had also been an immense day of anticipation for the Israelites. It was the first preparation day for the very first Passover – the day they selected a lamb (Exodus 12:1-3). And this was the beginning of the end for their final exodus from Egypt.
Forty years later, the Passover preparation day became the day they crossed into the Promised Land.
God’s timing is always the right timing. Yet it’s up to us to be sensitive to His voice. If He has put a closed door in front of you, wait. Don’t be tempted to open it yourself, or try and force it open. But if there’s an open door ahead of you, don’t hesitate to walk through it, trusting that He has opened it at the right time.
Expect miracles in plain sight
The Jordan River was in flood at the time of the crossing (Joshua 3:15). The river was therefore many times its usual width, and would have been easily seen from Jericho, which was just a few kilometres away. We know the inhabitants of Jericho had heard of the incredible events 40 years before when the Israelites left Egypt – how the Red Sea had miraculously parted (Joshua 2:10). Now, from Jericho, they see the flooded Jordan River suddenly cease flowing (Joshua 3:16) and several million Israelites move across the dry riverbed towards them!
Just as the miracle of crossing the Jordan River happened before the eyes of those in Jericho, we should be prepared to experience miracles of God’s goodness, healing and provision in our everyday lives – even in front of our unbelieving work colleagues and family. In Psalm 23, God says He “prepare[s] a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (verse 5). Israel’s enemies (the people of Jericho) certainly saw the table of God’s provision for the Israelite people. Let’s take hold of this for ourselves too.
It’s not about you!
Do you realise the Jordan stopped flowing for the Ark of the Covenant, not the Israelites?
…tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
Joshua 4:7 (NIV)
It’s very tempting to put ourselves in the middle of the picture, and think that God is doing things for our benefit. Yes, God delights to bless His people – but He always comes first. And His plans and purposes are continually being unfolded.
As we move into the new, we should always remember that we are followers. Joshua had to follow God’s Law (Joshua 1:8). The Israelites had to follow the Ark (Joshua 3:3). And we are to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus is never dull – it’s always an adventure! It also takes grit, determination and absolute surrender to His timing and His instructions. Let’s make sure we are following Him (and not arrogantly asking Him to follow us and bless our plans instead).
What are you carrying into the new?
When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
Joshua 4:2-3 (NIV)
As the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, they also took something from the river with them – 12 stones, gathered from where the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant. If these stones were to be a simple memorial of the event, they could have been erected as a monument beside the river. But they were not. They had to be carried all the way to Gilgal where they camped (Joshua 4:20-24). That’s where Joshua specifically set them up “so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful” (verse 24).
What is it that God has given you to carry into the new? What has He laid on your heart? What vision has He given you for those around you?
Whatever it is, remember that it is connected to the place where the Ark stood; the place where God stopped the river from flowing; the place where God brought you into the new. Whenever you think of what’s ahead, remember that what you carry is connected to Him, and that “the hand of the Lord is powerful!”
