Joshua 1 - 5

Crossing The Jordan

Note: Today's reading transitions back to the Old Testament and the historical books. We end our 15th week of reading and will be in the Old Testament for the next 22 weeks. This will take personal diligence and dedication, since some of our daily portions will be lengthy. I like to set aside 1 to 2 hours each evening for my reading, meditation, and blogging. Developing and sticking to a pattern is crucial to successfully completing the Bible in one year.

Joshua is a wonderful and inspiring book.  It parallels the book of Ephesians in the New Testament as well as the first part of the book of Acts. When we study Ephesians in week 41, we will draw the parallels with Joshua. This book is about the Israelites who leave their old life of wandering and cross over the Jordan river and possess the Promised Land. It is representative of the Christian believer who after being justified and sanctified is not satisfied until he/she is filled with the Holy Spirit.  If you recall, all those who disobeyed God the first time Joshua and Caleb went to the Promise Land and brought back a good report of a good land, the all perished in the wilderness. They were satisfied with baptism (crossing the Red Sea) and sanctification under the Law, but shunned the Holy Spirit (possessing the land promised to them). This is typical of so many believers today who are satisfied to say, "Well God saved me, and I try to live according to His Word, but I don't have any time or need for all this fanaticism concerning the Holy Spirit and being born again." 

After Moses dies, the Lord immediately places Joshua (whose name is the same root word used for Jesus/Yeshua) in charge. Without delay, Joshua makes plans to posses the Promise Land.  God reassures Joshua that He will be with him every step of the way (vs. 1:3-5). He commands Joshua three times to be "strong and courageous" (vs. 1:6,7,9). He has the officers tell the people to ready their provisions for crossing the Jordan. He reminds the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh that even though they are remaining east of Jordan, they still must join the other tribes in fully possessing the land.

In chapter 2, Joshua sends spies - two spies (unnamed) in a repeat of the two good spies - Joshua and Caleb that Moses had sent out 40 years prior. These spies go to Jericho to the house of a prostitute - most likely so that they would not be questioned. Rahab (and this was not a mere coincidence, but a reflection of the Divine will of God) is Ruth's mother-in-law and ends up being King David's great-great-grandmother. Even in her sinful condition, she is a woman of faith prudently recognizing the God of the Israelites and willingly helping them. In return she is offered protection if she displays a scarlet (representing blood) rope in her window.

In chapter 3, Israel crosses the Jordan to the Promise Land. The crossing is miraculous and reminiscent of their crossing the Red Sea 40 years prior. The Jordan is at flood stage. The Levites carrying the Ark must step into the water - they must physically show that they are going to cross. When their feet hit the water it immediately is diverted and walls up so the land can dry. The Levites march to the middle of the riverbed and hold the Ark up. All of the people then pass through the Jordan under the protection of the Ark. The type here must not be lost. We, as Christians, pass through our obstacles under the protection of the Word. They pass over on dry ground (3:17) signifying that while under the protection of the Word, not one drop of anything touches the believer.

After crossing, Joshua has 12 men - one from each tribe - go to the place where the Ark is and get a stone. The stones are piled as a monument at the place of encampment. This signifies their possession of the land. Then Joshua piles 12 stones at the place where the Ark is being held. This signifies that they are leaving the old land behind, to be washed over and never to return to. Then the Ark is marched to the encampment and the Jordan returned to its flooded status.

In chapter 5, as a final act before beginning the battle for the Promise Land, starting with Jericho, Joshua circumcises all the males.  These are the children of those who perished in the wandering because they did not possess the land. They had never been circumcised and thus Joshua, ever diligent and obedient to the Will and Word of the Lord has this done. After the circumcision, as they prepare to take Jericho, Jacob meets the angel of the Lord, the commander of the Lord's Host. This confirmed that the Lord would be with them in every battle.

Many mistakenly think of the Promise Land as a type of Heaven, but this is not correct. The Promise Land is a type of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. Although the Lord promised Canaan land to Israel as a possession, they still had to fight for every inch of ground. They still had battles daily. This is true for the believer. Even with the filling of the Holy Spirit, we still must battle Satan daily. We still must go to the Lord in prayer asking Him to forgive us of our sins and to strengthen us in our walk with Him.

My God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.