33. ISRAEL CROSSES JORDAN

"What mean ye by these stones?"

Aim

To show that by following God's commandments the people of Israel were brought safely across the Jordan River.

Synopsis

To enter the Land of Canaan the children of Israel must cross the River Jordan which at this time of the year was in full flood. The people moved from Shittim to the banks of the river and there Joshua told them that in three days they would pass over to the other side.

Joshua 3 and 4

ISRAEL PREPARES - JORDAN CROSSED: Joshua 3

Joshua gave instructions to the people to sanctify themselves "for tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders among you" (v5). They were to put away all thought of themselves and give their whole heart and mind to doing as God commanded. The Ark, carried by the priests, would go before them and they were to follow at a distance of 2,000 cubits (about 800 meters). God told Joshua, "This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee" (v7).

At Joshua's command the priests, carrying the Ark covered with a blue cloth, moved forward. The people watched, waiting to see the wonderful miracle which God had promised (vv9-13).

The Jordan was in flood, overflowing all its banks, but the priests walked on, right to the edge of the river. As soon as their feet dipped in the water, the flooded river was "driven back" by God's power (Psalm 114:3-5). It stopped flowing a long way further up stream, while the waters on the lower side drained away, leaving a dry path on which to cross over. What an amazing miracle this was! How it must have strengthened and thrilled the people of Israel, making them realize, as Joshua had told them - "the living God is among you" (v10). The priests went forward and stopped with the Ark in the midst of the river bed, while all the Israelites passed over on dry ground.

TWO MEMORIALS: Joshua 4

As a memorial of this wonderful event, Joshua was told by God to appoint twelve men, one from each tribe to take twelve stones from the place where the priests stood and carry them to the west bank of the river. These were set up at Gilgal, not far from Jericho, where the Israelites camped. Joshua set up a second memorial of twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, "in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the Ark of the Covenant stood" (v9).

These memorials were to remind the people of the wonderful miracle performed by their God. When their children asked, € What mean these stones?" they were to tell them how the "waters of Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of Yahweh" (v7) and "Israel came over this Jordan on dry land" (v22). By this, God showed His mighty power to Israel and "all people of the earth" (v24).

LESSON FOR US

We can learn from Israel's experience at the crossing of Jordan. If we put our trust in God He will help us to do many things which may seem impossible to us.

When the young children looked at the stones set up as a memorial and asked, "What mean these stones?" it was the duty of the parents and teachers to tell them of the wonderful miracle of Jordan's crossing. God is pleased when people take note of what is done in His worship and ask questions about it, so that they too may grow up to serve Him.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

JOSHUA'S WORK FORESHADOWED THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

Joshua is a Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh saves' and 'Jesus' is the Greek form of the same name (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8 - margin). Both have the same meaning for both men were saviours of their people. Joshua led his people into the land to take up their inheritance. The Lord Jesus Christ will do a similar but greater work when he comes to possess the whole earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 17:14). He will save his people and given them the Land promised to Abraham as an everlasting inheritance.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. What did the people have to do before they crossed the Jordan?

2. What happened when the priests' feet touched the water?

3. Who carried the Ark?

4. What did Joshua say had to be built in the river and on the other side of the river?

5. What did the people have to tell their children when they asked. "What mean these stones?"?

Detailed Answers

1. Tell the story of how the Israelites crossed over the River Jordan into the land of Canaan.

2. Tell all you know about the memorial that the children of Israel built after they crossed over the River Jordan

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Additional Questions

3. What did Joshua tell the people about the two memorials?

4. Explain how Joshua's work was similar to that of the Lord Jesus Christ.