Joshua ch 1-4 The Lord tells Joshua he was going to be with him like he was with Moses. He then reassures Joshua that he was going to lead the people across the Jordan and into victory like Moses said he would. The Lord also tells him, no man would be able to stand before him. There was one condition, Joshua had to keep the commandments; they were not to depart out of his mouth and he had to meditate on them day and night. Joshua tells the officers to prepare the people to cross the Jordan. He also reminds the Reubenites, Gadites, half of the tribe of Manasseh of their promise. They were to continue to fight until all the tribes received their land and was at rest. Joshua sends two men to spy out the land. When they got to Jericho, they were seen entering Rahab the harlot’s home. When the king sent her an order demanding that she deliver the men over to him, she tells them the men had already left. Rahab had hid the men on her roof because she feared the Lord. She tells them she heard how God dried up the Red Sea and how the Israelites defeated King Sihon and Og; that was why all the people were afraid of them. She agreed to help them escape, on one condition, when the Israelite captured the city, they had to spare her and her family. The men agreed, but Rahab had to hang the scarlet rope from her window so they would know it was her home, and all of her family had to be in her house when they entered the city. The next morning Rehab lower the men over the town wall from her window and tells them to hide in the hill for 3 days. When the search party stopped looking for them, they went on there way. They then go back and tell Joshua all that they had heard and seen. The Israelite leaves Shittim and head for the Jordan River. When they arrive at their destination, they set up camp for 3 days. The officers then tells the people, when they see the Levite priest carrying the Ark of the Covenant, they are to follow it. They were not to get too close; there had to be a space of 2,000 cubits (~1/2 miles) between them and the Ark. Joshua then tells the people to sanctify themselves because the Lord was going to do wonders among them. He then tells the priest to take up the Ark and go ahead of the people. The Lord tells Joshua, he was about exalt him in the eyes of the people so they would know he (God) was with him like he was with Moses. When the priest reaches the edge of the Jordan, Joshua was to command them to stand it. So they would know that the Lord was going to drive out all the nation, as soon as the priest stepped in the water, it was going to stop flowing. They were to remain in position until everyone had cross over. Also 12 men (1 from each tribe) were to gather 12 stone out of the Jordan and take them across with them. After everyone had crossed the Jordan, the priests were to step out of the river. As soon as they did this, the water began to flow again. The 12 men were then commanded to place the stones were the Israelite set up camp for the night. The stones would be a reminder of how God stop the Jordan and allowed them to cross over on dry land. Lessons being taught: 1. True success comes from God. If Joshua kept the commandments, God was not only going to use him to lead the people to victory, no man would be able to stand before him all the days of his life. The world can offer us success, but we never know what it will cost us in the end or how long it will last. When we put our trust in God, we know the blessing will add no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). 2. The Lord put people in our path to help us. Rahab had heard all that the Lord did for the Israelites and feared him. She showed her respect by hid the spies and helping them to escape. Before they left, she even asked them to spare her and her family, acknowledging she knew they were God’s people. The Lord has also put people in our path to help us. Some are believer, and some are not; the just have respect for the Lord. 3. We need God to lead us and guide us. The Israelite did not know there way to the Promised Land, so they were commanded to follow the Levites priest carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Likewise, we are to see God for guidance, and flow leaders he (God) has put in position to help us on our Christian journey. 4. God will do things in a way, we will know it was him. So that the people would know God was going to drive out the nation as he promised, when the Levite priest carrying the Ark of Covenant step into the Jordan, it would stop flowing. As soon as the priest stepped out of the water, it would start .back. Every time they say the 12 stones they would remember what God had done that day. The Lord has left reminder in our lives showing what he has done for us.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 22:19:12 +0000
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