Joshua Chapter 3
In writing my reflections on this chapter, I realised that I have not made any new year resolutions. But now’s a good time as any. From this chapter, there are three things I learnt for which I strive to put into practice this new year.
Reflect on God’s Past Deliverance to Overcome Present Obstacles
Under the mighty hand of God and the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites prepared to cross the River Jordan to the promised land. At that time of year, the River Jordan overflowed its banks. In the three days (v2) when the people encamped next to the river to prepare to cross it, what went through their minds?
As they watched the swollen, turbulent river, what conversations did the Israelites have with their families? How did they prepare themselves physically, mentally, and…… spiritually? Did they worry about transporting their children, and the elderly and sick across? “What resources do we have to help us across?”
Could they accomplish this feat by their own devices? How did knowledge of their fathers and grandfathers crossing the Red Sea, and the hearing of stories from forty years of training in the wilderness affect the way they thought and acted? “Do I trust that God will provide what I need, and allow me to make progress?”
Now was the time the faith of this new generation of Israelites would be put to the test.
As God had parted the Red Sea and made it dry ground for the Israelites to cross over, God’s mighty hand now parted the River Jordan, and all the Israelites crossed over safely (v16-17).
What are some very difficult situations we meet with today? Do we seek our Creator – God’s help, when the task ahead seems impossible?
The last hurdle before the Israelites set foot on the much-hoped-for promised land had been overcome by a miracle. Similarly, as Christians living in the world, not everything is within our control. Many of our battles are spiritual – only God can avert, change or improve our situation.
Let us reflect on how God had guided His people in the past, how we ourselves had been saved from bad situations before, and trust that our unchanging, and faithful God will lift us up once more.
Be Prepared Spiritually; Sanctify Ourselves in God’s Word
Joshua rose early in the morning, and set out with all the Israelite people to the Jordan (v1). It seemed to be his habit when he had important work to do (Josh 6:12, 7:16, 8:10). We can learn from Joshua and develop this good habit of waking up early and being prepared.
Rising early reflected Joshua’s heart of keenness and his priority in carrying out God’s work. He was not tardy, but was prepared to receive God’s instructions (v7-8), and then rallied the people together to hear God’s words (v9-13).
“And Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’” (v5)
As God is holy, He expects His children, created in His image to be holy. We must realise our status as a chosen generation and God’s own special people (1 Pet 2:9). We must honour our royal priesthood and set ourselves apart from the ways of the world.
When we honour and fear God, we strive to obey His commandments in our earthly lives. A holy nation cannot return to the sin and carnality from which Jesus had died and conquered to save us (Col 3:1-10). Each time we sin, our glory diminishes. God will change our glory into shame (Hos 4:6-7).
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
(John 17:17)
What can we do to keep ourselves unstained from this world? The precious blood of Jesus has washed our sins away (Rev 1:5). We fight sin and its influence by reading and reflecting on God’s word, renewing our thoughts and inclinations, and making adjustments to our habits and deeds.
It’s Not About Me, It’s About God’s People
“Would I succeed in crossing over? Would my neighbours die? Who would make it across?”
We do not hear these questions from the people crossing the River Jordan. They banded as one with the singular purpose of making it to the promised land. They made neither distinction nor comparisons among themselves. They all followed Joshua’s instructions (Josh 1:17).
The only thing which distinguished the people was the office they held – officers (v2), priests, Levites (v3, 6, 8) and Joshua their leader. As we continue to read the accounts recorded in the book of Joshua and elsewhere in the Bible, personal greed, and selfish behaviour have always resulted in punishment.
“…fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone… being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord…”
(Eph 2:19-22)
Let us grow together, as members of the same household of God, lifting each other in our words and deeds. May God guide us All.