from Ligonier Ministries... an explanation of Joshua's encounter with the Commander of the Lord:
We are clued in to the fact that the one identified as the “commander of the Lord’s army” is not simply an angel because Joshua worships Him and is not rebuked for it (Josh. 5:13–15). Since the Bible is not afraid to condemn people for worshiping creaturely angels (Rev. 22:8–9), this being in Joshua 5 must be none other than God Himself.
Notably, this commander does not give an affirmative answer when Joshua asks if He is for the Israelites, even though the Israelites were fulfilling the will of God in the invasion of Canaan. Neither does the commander claim to be on the side of the Canaanites. This teaches us a vital truth: even though we may profess to serve the Lord, we cannot take it for granted that we are always on the right side. Only as we possess the faith we profess and seek to do the will of God can we count on Him to fight for us (Deut. 1:19–46).
Even believers can presume that God is on their side on a particular issue without due consideration. ... Abraham Lincoln’s famous words can serve us well here: “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” Unless our goals and positions are grounded in Scripture, we cannot reasonably expect the Lord to fight for us.
We are clued in to the fact that the one identified as the “commander of the Lord’s army” is not simply an angel because Joshua worships Him and is not rebuked for it (Josh. 5:13–15). Since the Bible is not afraid to condemn people for worshiping creaturely angels (Rev. 22:8–9), this being in Joshua 5 must be none other than God Himself.
Notably, this commander does not give an affirmative answer when Joshua asks if He is for the Israelites, even though the Israelites were fulfilling the will of God in the invasion of Canaan. Neither does the commander claim to be on the side of the Canaanites. This teaches us a vital truth: even though we may profess to serve the Lord, we cannot take it for granted that we are always on the right side. Only as we possess the faith we profess and seek to do the will of God can we count on Him to fight for us (Deut. 1:19–46).
Even believers can presume that God is on their side on a particular issue without due consideration. ... Abraham Lincoln’s famous words can serve us well here: “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” Unless our goals and positions are grounded in Scripture, we cannot reasonably expect the Lord to fight for us.
NOW, WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LITTLE TOWN OF AI?
CHAPTER 7
LOOK AT VERSE 1... WHAT WAS THE TROUBLE?
VERSE 3: THE SPIES GOT A LITTLE COCKY ABOUT TAKING THE LITTLE CITY OF AI. WHAT DID THEY SAY?
VERSE 5: HOW MANY OF JOSHUA'S ARMY DIED?
VERSE 10: WHEN JOSHUA FALLS DOWN AND PRAYS, WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY IN HIS ANSWER?
VERSE 14: WHAT DID THE LORD SAY TO DO IN ORDER TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE SIN?
VERSES 16-18, HOW DID THEY SLOWLY NARROW IT DOWN?
VERSES 20-21: WHAT DID ACHAN CONFESS TO?
VERSES 25-26 WHAT DID THEY DO TO THE SINNING FAMILY? Note: "Achor" means "trouble"
CHAPTER 7
LOOK AT VERSE 1... WHAT WAS THE TROUBLE?
VERSE 3: THE SPIES GOT A LITTLE COCKY ABOUT TAKING THE LITTLE CITY OF AI. WHAT DID THEY SAY?
VERSE 5: HOW MANY OF JOSHUA'S ARMY DIED?
VERSE 10: WHEN JOSHUA FALLS DOWN AND PRAYS, WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY IN HIS ANSWER?
VERSE 14: WHAT DID THE LORD SAY TO DO IN ORDER TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE SIN?
VERSES 16-18, HOW DID THEY SLOWLY NARROW IT DOWN?
VERSES 20-21: WHAT DID ACHAN CONFESS TO?
VERSES 25-26 WHAT DID THEY DO TO THE SINNING FAMILY? Note: "Achor" means "trouble"
Joshua (General Questions)
1 Who wrote the book of Joshua? Joshua
2 When was the book of Joshua written? 1400-1370 BC
3 What was Joshua’s name before it was Joshua? Hoshea
4 What does “Hoshea” mean? Salvation
5 What is the purpose of the book of Joshua? The account of the nation of Israel’s departure from the wilderness and their entrance into the land of promise.
Joshua (The Man)
1 What does “Joshua” mean? Yahweh is salvation or Yahweh saves
2 For whom did Joshua serve as his assistant? Moses
3 What did Joshua do after Moses died? He took over as leader of the people
4 Why did God let Joshua live and enter the Promised Land? He was one of the two spies who gave a good report
5 True or False – Joshua was known in Exodus as a great general and warrior? True
Theme/Purpose of Joshua
1 What theme tells how Israel possessed, conquered and divided the promised land? Taking the Promised Land
2 Which theme that explains that God does for Israel exactly as he promised? God’s faithfulness
3 What do we call the promise God made to Abraham that comes true in Joshua? The Abrahamic Covenant
4 Where was the Abrahamic Covenant first given? Genesis 12:1-3
5 Where was the land Israel would receive first described? Genesis 15
Key Words
1 This key word spoke of taking the land and having ownership of it: Possession
2 Which key word has the idea of conquering the people of Canaan? Conquest
3 Which key word speaks of the success of their military campaign? Victory
4 Which key word relates to the Land being split between the twelve tribes? Dividing the Land
Key Verses
1 Josh 1:3 – I will give you every place you set your foot; as I was with Moses, I will be with you.
2 Josh 1:8-9 – Keep the law; obey and you will succeed. Be strong and courageous; I am with you
3 Josh 11:23 – Josh took all the land and it had rest from war
4 Josh 24:14-15 – Choose who you will serve…As for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh
Key Chapters
1 Josh 1 – Transition of Leadership – Moses dead, Joshua takes over
2 Josh 24 – God’s faithfulness; the need for them to obey or they would be consumed by him
Key People
1 Joshua – takes over for Moses
2 Caleb – one of original spies, gets his inheritance at 85
3 Rahab – pagan prostitute, protects spies, delivered, marries into line of Jesus (Matt 1:5)
Typology
1 Joshua’s name – was Hoshea (means salvation) changed to Yeshua (Yahweh/God saves)
Joshua = Jesus
2 His work leading Israel into the land of Canaan (cf. Heb. 4:8).
Looks forward to the rest we enter by faith in Christ.
Anticipates the Savior who leads many sons to glory (Heb 2:9)
3 Commander of the Lord’s Army = Christophany
Christophany = pre-incarnate appearance of Christ
4 Rahab’s scarlet cord – portrays salvation through the blood & death of Jesus
She heard of God’s might works, believed, was delivered, and is in Jesus’ genealogy
A Strategy for Conquest
1 Who wrote the book of Joshua? Joshua
2 When was the book of Joshua written? 1400-1370 BC
3 What was Joshua’s name before it was Joshua? Hoshea
4 What does “Hoshea” mean? Salvation
5 What is the purpose of the book of Joshua? The account of the nation of Israel’s departure from the wilderness and their entrance into the land of promise.
Joshua (The Man)
1 What does “Joshua” mean? Yahweh is salvation or Yahweh saves
2 For whom did Joshua serve as his assistant? Moses
3 What did Joshua do after Moses died? He took over as leader of the people
4 Why did God let Joshua live and enter the Promised Land? He was one of the two spies who gave a good report
5 True or False – Joshua was known in Exodus as a great general and warrior? True
Theme/Purpose of Joshua
1 What theme tells how Israel possessed, conquered and divided the promised land? Taking the Promised Land
2 Which theme that explains that God does for Israel exactly as he promised? God’s faithfulness
3 What do we call the promise God made to Abraham that comes true in Joshua? The Abrahamic Covenant
4 Where was the Abrahamic Covenant first given? Genesis 12:1-3
5 Where was the land Israel would receive first described? Genesis 15
Key Words
1 This key word spoke of taking the land and having ownership of it: Possession
2 Which key word has the idea of conquering the people of Canaan? Conquest
3 Which key word speaks of the success of their military campaign? Victory
4 Which key word relates to the Land being split between the twelve tribes? Dividing the Land
Key Verses
1 Josh 1:3 – I will give you every place you set your foot; as I was with Moses, I will be with you.
2 Josh 1:8-9 – Keep the law; obey and you will succeed. Be strong and courageous; I am with you
3 Josh 11:23 – Josh took all the land and it had rest from war
4 Josh 24:14-15 – Choose who you will serve…As for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh
Key Chapters
1 Josh 1 – Transition of Leadership – Moses dead, Joshua takes over
2 Josh 24 – God’s faithfulness; the need for them to obey or they would be consumed by him
Key People
1 Joshua – takes over for Moses
2 Caleb – one of original spies, gets his inheritance at 85
3 Rahab – pagan prostitute, protects spies, delivered, marries into line of Jesus (Matt 1:5)
Typology
1 Joshua’s name – was Hoshea (means salvation) changed to Yeshua (Yahweh/God saves)
Joshua = Jesus
2 His work leading Israel into the land of Canaan (cf. Heb. 4:8).
Looks forward to the rest we enter by faith in Christ.
Anticipates the Savior who leads many sons to glory (Heb 2:9)
3 Commander of the Lord’s Army = Christophany
Christophany = pre-incarnate appearance of Christ
4 Rahab’s scarlet cord – portrays salvation through the blood & death of Jesus
She heard of God’s might works, believed, was delivered, and is in Jesus’ genealogy
A Strategy for Conquest
- Military Preparation (2:1-24) – sent two spies into the land; meet Rahab a pagan prostitute
- Spiritual Preparation (3:1-13) – they were ordered to “consecrate” themselves the day before they crossed into the Promised Land
- Miraculous Crossing of the Jordan River (3-4)
- Followed the Ark (3:14) – Ark of the Covenant = the symbol of God’s presence, was carried before Israel signifying God’s presence and guidance
- The River Stops (3:15-17) – When the priests’ foot touched the water, the rivers stopped flowing
- Memorial Stones (4:1-24) – One person from each tribe took a stone from the river bed and built an altar to serve as a testimony of God’s faithfulness
- Commander of the Lord’s Army (5)
- Whose side are you on?
- Neither
- Who is on God’s side?
- Defeat and Victory at Ai (7-9)
- Achan’s sin leads to Israel’s defeat
- When discovered, sin is dealt with severely
- Sun Stands Still (10)
- God has sun stand still so Israel could pursue their enemies
- The Lord provides hail that which pummels their enemies
- Defeated 31 Canaanite kings (13)
- Covenant and Land – Israel’s possession of the land was tied to the covenant (two sides)
- Abrahamic covenant - God promised land for Abraham and his descendants (Gen 12)
- Eventually the people would be exiled from the land because of disobedience (they did not keep their side of the covenant)
- God is always faithful even though his people are not
- The Ban – a call to purity and separation from unholy things
- Israel was not permitted to plunder the nations
- God wanted to protect the people from pagan idols, greed, and materialsism
- The Divine Warrior
- God is love
- God fights for his people
- God is a God of love, but also a God of judgment and wrath. He punishes sin.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
Let me make up a story to help you understand this writing:
Due to a ferocious storm, you and your youth group members were shipwrecked on an island. Thankfully you were able to get all of your provisions off of the boat and gather enough supplies to keep you alive for quite awhile. Your group, however, is totally confused about where to go to set up camp.
You try a meadow, but the wind is too harsh. The next night you try a clearing in the forest, but the skunks have a very protective community there. The next night it's a valley, but a mudslide messes you up. Another night it's back on the beach, but the waves keep crashing and the wind whips around your encampment. You keep moving around and you find no safe or satisfactory spot. Your youth pastor, however, does a great job in leading you and assigning proper tasks to keep you secure and orderly.
After a very long time your youth leader calls the group to the edge of a wide but tame river. He explains that he has found some old books in a cave nearby that talk about the richness of the valley and the safety of the land ahead. You can see it and it really does look great. While your youth leader is talking, he keeps hacking and coughing. You've noticed his feverishness a few days ago, and you realize how bad it has been getting; he looks gaunt.
He directs the group to cross the ankle-deep water the next morning, but as he is talking, he collapses. As he looks up, he gestures to you to come near, out of the group.
"I'm not going to make it," he gasps. "I've prayed about it, and ..." He coughs and points at you. "You are in charge of this group. May God be with you." He dies that night.
So now you are in charge of your whole expedition. The next morning, you look across the river and see bones and clutter and even signs of violence. You realize that there may be danger ahead.
This might give you an idea of what the book of Joshua is about. Put your name in place of Joshua and get the feel of what is happening under the guidance of God. A new beginning. A new land.
After Moses has died, God Himself directs Joshua to lead the group known as the Israelites across the Jordan River and move into what He has called "the promised land" ("...in other words, I have promised this to you, and here it is.")
God assure them a "super army" that will not lose and promises not to leave the Israelites ... provided they stay loyal and obey his laws. The Israelites are okay with this, and they back Joshua.
Joshua starts his leadership. He sends out two spies to move across the Jordan River and make a scouting report about what they see in the new territory. The spies move about and note numerous things about the land. They approach a town - its name is Jericho - and they find themselves about to be trapped. If they get caught, it could be torture and death - all that bad stuff.
Here is where the story gets a real powerful twist: a prostitute named Rahab becomes the hero of the hour. She is in a lifestyle that is obviously perverse, but now, wait, she thinks ... something about these spies' God... she not only finds it fascinating but worthy of risking her life. She wants to change....and she will show it.
She risks her life by hiding them in her house and deceiving the city officials - really, outright lying to them - about where the spies are. The ruse works, and the officials are gone. Rahab then confides to the spies that the Canaanites are afraid of the miraculous power of Israel.
She's not afraid - she wants to join up.
Rahab tells the spies of her deep belief in this powerful and guiding God of the Israelites, and she she is so convinced they will win that she requests protection for her family when the Israelites (she is sure) come to defeat Jericho. The spies make a promise and they pledge to save Rahab and anyone in her household. The spies return to Joshua and let him know that they see victory in Israel's future.
WHEN BELIEVERS ARE STRONG IN THE LORD GOD, "OUTSIDERS" TAKE NOTICE.
Let me make up a story to help you understand this writing:
Due to a ferocious storm, you and your youth group members were shipwrecked on an island. Thankfully you were able to get all of your provisions off of the boat and gather enough supplies to keep you alive for quite awhile. Your group, however, is totally confused about where to go to set up camp.
You try a meadow, but the wind is too harsh. The next night you try a clearing in the forest, but the skunks have a very protective community there. The next night it's a valley, but a mudslide messes you up. Another night it's back on the beach, but the waves keep crashing and the wind whips around your encampment. You keep moving around and you find no safe or satisfactory spot. Your youth pastor, however, does a great job in leading you and assigning proper tasks to keep you secure and orderly.
After a very long time your youth leader calls the group to the edge of a wide but tame river. He explains that he has found some old books in a cave nearby that talk about the richness of the valley and the safety of the land ahead. You can see it and it really does look great. While your youth leader is talking, he keeps hacking and coughing. You've noticed his feverishness a few days ago, and you realize how bad it has been getting; he looks gaunt.
He directs the group to cross the ankle-deep water the next morning, but as he is talking, he collapses. As he looks up, he gestures to you to come near, out of the group.
"I'm not going to make it," he gasps. "I've prayed about it, and ..." He coughs and points at you. "You are in charge of this group. May God be with you." He dies that night.
So now you are in charge of your whole expedition. The next morning, you look across the river and see bones and clutter and even signs of violence. You realize that there may be danger ahead.
This might give you an idea of what the book of Joshua is about. Put your name in place of Joshua and get the feel of what is happening under the guidance of God. A new beginning. A new land.
After Moses has died, God Himself directs Joshua to lead the group known as the Israelites across the Jordan River and move into what He has called "the promised land" ("...in other words, I have promised this to you, and here it is.")
God assure them a "super army" that will not lose and promises not to leave the Israelites ... provided they stay loyal and obey his laws. The Israelites are okay with this, and they back Joshua.
Joshua starts his leadership. He sends out two spies to move across the Jordan River and make a scouting report about what they see in the new territory. The spies move about and note numerous things about the land. They approach a town - its name is Jericho - and they find themselves about to be trapped. If they get caught, it could be torture and death - all that bad stuff.
Here is where the story gets a real powerful twist: a prostitute named Rahab becomes the hero of the hour. She is in a lifestyle that is obviously perverse, but now, wait, she thinks ... something about these spies' God... she not only finds it fascinating but worthy of risking her life. She wants to change....and she will show it.
She risks her life by hiding them in her house and deceiving the city officials - really, outright lying to them - about where the spies are. The ruse works, and the officials are gone. Rahab then confides to the spies that the Canaanites are afraid of the miraculous power of Israel.
She's not afraid - she wants to join up.
Rahab tells the spies of her deep belief in this powerful and guiding God of the Israelites, and she she is so convinced they will win that she requests protection for her family when the Israelites (she is sure) come to defeat Jericho. The spies make a promise and they pledge to save Rahab and anyone in her household. The spies return to Joshua and let him know that they see victory in Israel's future.
WHEN BELIEVERS ARE STRONG IN THE LORD GOD, "OUTSIDERS" TAKE NOTICE.
OKAY, BUT HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO YOU, HERE IN THIS TIME IN AMERICA?
Oh, that's easy to answer.
It's like what writer Brian Rowlands said in his writing in the EasyEnglish.Bible commentary about Joshua:
The Book of Joshua is like a lesson for us today. The book shows us what God wants to do for all Christians. Many Christians are like the Israelites who died in the desert. God has saved them from judgement. But they do not realize all the good things that God has for them. They let other things get in the way of these blessings.
It is important to read the Book of Joshua with this in mind. It is not just a history book! The Book of Joshua has important lessons for all Christians. And the Book of Joshua shows us what God wants to do for us here and now. God brought us out to bring us in.
I like that last sentence.
"God brought us out to bring us in."
Oh, that's easy to answer.
It's like what writer Brian Rowlands said in his writing in the EasyEnglish.Bible commentary about Joshua:
The Book of Joshua is like a lesson for us today. The book shows us what God wants to do for all Christians. Many Christians are like the Israelites who died in the desert. God has saved them from judgement. But they do not realize all the good things that God has for them. They let other things get in the way of these blessings.
It is important to read the Book of Joshua with this in mind. It is not just a history book! The Book of Joshua has important lessons for all Christians. And the Book of Joshua shows us what God wants to do for us here and now. God brought us out to bring us in.
I like that last sentence.
"God brought us out to bring us in."
Imagine God is standing at the door of His mansion, calling for you to come inside for the Christmas banquet and your own room in order to enjoy the holidays. You, however, are embroiled in backstreet poker game in an unheated barn. You've lost almost all of your money, and as a matter of fact you've been attacked and worked over a few times, but still you think you'll make it. Your lip is bleeding and your shivering from the ten degree cold since you lost your jacket in a wager. You stubbornly refuse to give up even though you've had to run over and break in a friend's house just to get enough money to continue. If you'd just get up and walk away it would be over. It's getting dark outside. You know you need to stop. You won't though...
... and there's God standing at the door. All the safety, security and love you'll ever need is within view. You can see the warmth and enjoyment through those massive windows. Why don't you go? God is calling for you to stop and come in.
... and there's God standing at the door. All the safety, security and love you'll ever need is within view. You can see the warmth and enjoyment through those massive windows. Why don't you go? God is calling for you to stop and come in.
WHY JOSHUA? WHO IS HE, ANYWAY?
Joshua was qualified, all right. He would be led by God, and he would lead based on how he was taught. He was a learner, and he was willing to continue to be a student until he was called to be a teacher. Joshua was a faithful assistant to Moses, and we see in the Books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
When he was assigned, Joshua led the army to fight the Amalekites. As Joshua was in battle, his overseer Moses lifted his hands up in a memorable prayer to God (Exodus 17:8-16).
Later, he ascended Mt. Sinai as a helper with Moses when God gave the Israelites instructions about the ark (Exodus 24:13 - 25:8). Think about it: Joshua had actually been in the very presence of God.
You may remember that Joshua was one of a dozen spies that Moses sent to investigate what was called the promised land. Ten men chickened out - only Joshua and Caleb delivered good positive news about the potential (Numbers 13). Joshua showed his faith in God's leading and protection.
Don't you find it fascinating that Joshua’s name in the Hebrew language means The Lord is my Savior. TIt is also amazing that this name "Joshua" is actually "Jesus" in the Greek language. It's a parallel: God had Joshua save the Israelites in the First Testament, and in the Second Testament, Jesus is our Savior.
This reminds us about proper instruction and being a student of God's. Joshua was under preparation to be the leader of the Israelites and when the time came, he was ready for the job. We should work to prepare for whatever God has for us.
Joshua was qualified, all right. He would be led by God, and he would lead based on how he was taught. He was a learner, and he was willing to continue to be a student until he was called to be a teacher. Joshua was a faithful assistant to Moses, and we see in the Books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
When he was assigned, Joshua led the army to fight the Amalekites. As Joshua was in battle, his overseer Moses lifted his hands up in a memorable prayer to God (Exodus 17:8-16).
Later, he ascended Mt. Sinai as a helper with Moses when God gave the Israelites instructions about the ark (Exodus 24:13 - 25:8). Think about it: Joshua had actually been in the very presence of God.
You may remember that Joshua was one of a dozen spies that Moses sent to investigate what was called the promised land. Ten men chickened out - only Joshua and Caleb delivered good positive news about the potential (Numbers 13). Joshua showed his faith in God's leading and protection.
Don't you find it fascinating that Joshua’s name in the Hebrew language means The Lord is my Savior. TIt is also amazing that this name "Joshua" is actually "Jesus" in the Greek language. It's a parallel: God had Joshua save the Israelites in the First Testament, and in the Second Testament, Jesus is our Savior.
This reminds us about proper instruction and being a student of God's. Joshua was under preparation to be the leader of the Israelites and when the time came, he was ready for the job. We should work to prepare for whatever God has for us.
The Open Bible gives the Joshua account found in chapter 3 and 4 :
The priests are carrying the ark of promise of the Lord of all the earth. As soon as they step into the water of the river, the Lord will stop the water. The water will not come towards them. Instead, the water will rise up like a wall.’
So the priests that were carrying the ark went in front of the people towards the river. There was a lot of water coming down the river at that time of the year. But as soon as the priests went into the river, the water stopped coming. It stopped a long way up the river. The water stopped at a town called Adam near Zarethan. The water that was going down to the Salt Sea stopped completely. So, the people crossed the river near Jericho. While the people walked across on dry ground, the priests stood still in the middle of the Jordan. The priests were carrying the ark. They stood there until all the people had crossed.
Then the Lord spoke again to Joshua. ‘Tell the priests that are carrying the ark to come up out of the Jordan.’
So Joshua said to the priests, ‘Come up out of the Jordan.’ And the priests came up out of the river. They were carrying the ark of the Lord. As soon as their feet touched the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan began to return. There was much water and it moved fast.
The people went from the Jordan and put their tents at Gilgal. It was the 10th day of the first month. Gilgal was a city on the east side of Jericho. At Gilgal, Joshua put the 12 stones that they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, ‘Your children will ask, in later years, "What do these stones mean?" Then you must tell them, "*Israel went across the river Jordan on dry ground." The Lord your God made the river dry up as he made the Red Sea dry up. He dried the Sea. Then the people could cross it when they left Egypt. He did this to show all the nations in the world how powerful he was. He did it so that you would always fear the Lord, your God”.’
Think of the faith needed by those priests to step into a raging river and fully expect the waters to imitate the Red Sea parting by Moses. The God of miracles of Moses is now the God of miracles to Joshua and his people.
Just as importantly, the whole nation stops and sets up a memorial. Why? So the following generations would not forget what had happened.
I want to show you one of the most curious monuments I believe I have ever seen. Here is a photo of it:
The priests are carrying the ark of promise of the Lord of all the earth. As soon as they step into the water of the river, the Lord will stop the water. The water will not come towards them. Instead, the water will rise up like a wall.’
So the priests that were carrying the ark went in front of the people towards the river. There was a lot of water coming down the river at that time of the year. But as soon as the priests went into the river, the water stopped coming. It stopped a long way up the river. The water stopped at a town called Adam near Zarethan. The water that was going down to the Salt Sea stopped completely. So, the people crossed the river near Jericho. While the people walked across on dry ground, the priests stood still in the middle of the Jordan. The priests were carrying the ark. They stood there until all the people had crossed.
Then the Lord spoke again to Joshua. ‘Tell the priests that are carrying the ark to come up out of the Jordan.’
So Joshua said to the priests, ‘Come up out of the Jordan.’ And the priests came up out of the river. They were carrying the ark of the Lord. As soon as their feet touched the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan began to return. There was much water and it moved fast.
The people went from the Jordan and put their tents at Gilgal. It was the 10th day of the first month. Gilgal was a city on the east side of Jericho. At Gilgal, Joshua put the 12 stones that they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, ‘Your children will ask, in later years, "What do these stones mean?" Then you must tell them, "*Israel went across the river Jordan on dry ground." The Lord your God made the river dry up as he made the Red Sea dry up. He dried the Sea. Then the people could cross it when they left Egypt. He did this to show all the nations in the world how powerful he was. He did it so that you would always fear the Lord, your God”.’
Think of the faith needed by those priests to step into a raging river and fully expect the waters to imitate the Red Sea parting by Moses. The God of miracles of Moses is now the God of miracles to Joshua and his people.
Just as importantly, the whole nation stops and sets up a memorial. Why? So the following generations would not forget what had happened.
I want to show you one of the most curious monuments I believe I have ever seen. Here is a photo of it:
This was a statue made for the boxing movie Rocky III as a memorial to the fictional fighter Rocky Balboa winning a championship. It was actually commissioned by the actor Sylvester Stallone for the movie, and then donated to be put at the site of the Philadelphia Art Museum as a memorial to the championship that Rocky Balboa won.
Except for one thing. There never was any fight.
Rocky is fictional.
So is the championship.
What we have here is a memorial to a non-existent event about a non-existent boxer over a non-existent championship fight. This was a sports entertainment movie, not a historical event.
It seems odd that people would venerate something that has no value.
The event in Joshua is an esteemed event that deserved a memorial, and indeed such a memorial was constructed. The honor was not given to man, but to God Himself. The nation was victorious and the people were moving on in victory. The enemies were thwarted, but could man overcome a natural barrier? Those river currents couldn't be fought by swords or by horses.
God, however, can handle the problem.
The priests moved into the waters and the river retreated. The people moved across and the stones were brought up from the very bed of the river where the miracle occurred. Nobody would say that man was responsible; man was totally helpless in trying to cross this river. This was the perfect time for a lesson, and Yahweh showed His power over Earth's forces. The people not only saw, they experienced ... and you can imagine they were saying to one another: "We'll never forget this..."
And they wanted to make stones of remembrance so that other faithful ones could learn.
A memorial for a miracle.
Do you have memories of God's miraculous leading in your life? Have you made a way to remember and share it with others?
Except for one thing. There never was any fight.
Rocky is fictional.
So is the championship.
What we have here is a memorial to a non-existent event about a non-existent boxer over a non-existent championship fight. This was a sports entertainment movie, not a historical event.
It seems odd that people would venerate something that has no value.
The event in Joshua is an esteemed event that deserved a memorial, and indeed such a memorial was constructed. The honor was not given to man, but to God Himself. The nation was victorious and the people were moving on in victory. The enemies were thwarted, but could man overcome a natural barrier? Those river currents couldn't be fought by swords or by horses.
God, however, can handle the problem.
The priests moved into the waters and the river retreated. The people moved across and the stones were brought up from the very bed of the river where the miracle occurred. Nobody would say that man was responsible; man was totally helpless in trying to cross this river. This was the perfect time for a lesson, and Yahweh showed His power over Earth's forces. The people not only saw, they experienced ... and you can imagine they were saying to one another: "We'll never forget this..."
And they wanted to make stones of remembrance so that other faithful ones could learn.
A memorial for a miracle.
Do you have memories of God's miraculous leading in your life? Have you made a way to remember and share it with others?
