Over the last few years we’ve become aware that this is a new era for the Church. But what does this mean, and how do we recognise what God is doing? There’s an interesting event in the Old Testament that we ought to take note of, as it gives us a helpful window for today. It comes just before Joshua leads the Israelites through the Jordan River and into the Promised land.
Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”
Joshua 3:1-4a (NIV)
Just before entering the Promised Land, Joshua sent “officers” throughout the camp. These were sub-officials who worked under the 70 Elders of Israel, such as overseers, writers, administrators and military officers. They had one message to proclaim “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God… move out from your positions and follow it.”
Why was this important? For 40 years they had followed the cloud (Exodus 13:21-22). Whenever the cloud moved, they packed up and moved.
A God-ordained order for the wilderness
During their time in the wilderness, when the Israelites travelled, they did not all move at once. They followed a God-ordained order (Numbers 10:14-28). The tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun went first, followed by the Levites who carried the poles and canvas needed for the tabernacle structure. Then came the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad, followed by the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant and the holy things from inside the tabernacle. The final six tribes followed in their assigned order. This meant that the Ark of the Covenant travelled in the centre of the group whenever they moved.
But wilderness era finished at the Jordan River. Crossing into the Promised Land required a whole new order. The Ark of the Covenant, signifying God’s throne, and His rulership as King and Lord, would no longer travel in the centre of the people. It would now go first. God’s authority and sovereignty would lead them into the new land.
This was a profound change. That’s because the way they moved forward would no longer look, or feel, the same. The cloud would never return. It would never lead them again.
A God-ordained order for the future
Rather like the Israelites as they travelled through the wilderness, the church has followed the “cloud” of God’s presence. Just as the various tribes always travelled directly behind the cloud, with the Levites who carried the tabernacle structure towards the front of the procession, we have often prioritised people and structure. We have celebrated with God’s kingship in our midst, just as the Israelites did, and this has been the right thing to do – up until now.
God has now sent His “officials” throughout the global church. His apostles, prophets, teachers, preachers, writers and others, are proclaiming that there needs to be a change as we move forward. This is a new era, and we are no longer to look for the previous “cloud” to know which way to go. Yes, that has been God’s design and strategy up to now, but no longer.
The Lordship of Jesus Christ, and all that involves for us, both personally and corporately, will be the hallmark of the new. Like the Israelites on the brink of the Promised Land, we have never been this way before.
Jesus is our Lord and King
What might this mean for us? For Joshua, it meant a confrontation with Jesus, the Commander of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5:13-15). Each of us will also be confronted by Jesus as He stands before us as our Commander, in a way we have not experienced Him before. We will all need to rethink our priorities and our previous strategies. We may even need to let go of some things that have led to success in the past, but will only be a hindrance in the future. Our response needs to mirror Joshua’s – to recognise Jesus as Lord and King, and fall at His feet.
What is interesting is that from that time, “Joshua and all Israel” went forth and conquered the land (Joshua 8:16, 21; 10:29, 31, 34, 36, 38). They all worked together as one, and never returned to the wilderness order.
Every change of season brings challenges, and this change will be no different. Let’s be those who are paying attention. We don’t want to be left behind because we are still looking for the “cloud” of His presence, rather than following the “ark” of His Kingship. We are definitely living in exciting times!
