I read this passage of scripture more than a few times previously, but never really studied what all went into this experience. It’s the end of the third chapter of Joshua when they are equipped to traverse the Jordan River and go into Canaan.
Foremost of all, let’s appreciate what has happened to them since they exited Egypt. It’s currently been forty years; they have lost a considerable quantity of population along the way including their influential Aaron and Moses. They had to get thru the Red Sea shortly after departure, couldn’t come across water and when they ultimately did discover it, it was bitter at Marah. King Balack wanted Balaam to curse them because they were getting too close to him for his comfort, and they had the golden calf incident with Aaron as well. The people had been through a lot, but God had also kept them from being thirsty, hungry, and even getting chaotic when he sent Jethro to Moses to help with the organization.
They had just lost Moses, and had his aid and military leader Joshua now equipped to lead them into the territory they had been promised.
So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
That is what started me looking into this. The priest stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and the people crossed on dry ground. The first explanation why this happened, I believe, is because God told Joshua He was going to be with him the same way He was with Moses. He told him what was going to happen and then did it. I believe in Joshua’s mind he was picturing the Red Sea and the group crossing over then with the Egyptian soldiers behind them. It was a confirmation to Joshua.
The second reason was for us. Let’s look at what really happened in these two verses.
The Jordan River is quite a river. Fed by two natural, perfect springs, comes together with the River of Dan as well as the Yarmouk and Jabbak rivers. The two springs were just like we find in places of the world today, crystal clear, almost shiny, delicious water. However, they were no match for the Jabbok, a very highly polluted, raw sewage flowing waterway. The river flowed all the way to the Dead Sea where it evaporated and became stale since there is no outlet from that body of water. A little bit of the best, natural, things in our lives can be lost easily in all the “sewage” and impure things we allow in and if we get caught up in it can actually transport us to a position where we are stagnant with no escape.
At a minimum the Jordan was forty feet deep, one foot for every day they were wandering and at spots was actually 150 feet deep. There was such an enormous amount of water that was in the Jordan. Over 39 million gallons an hour flowed thru this watercourse. Even the Mississippi River here in the US isn’t that big. I have crossed that one several times and can’t imagine trying to cross it on foot. So with over 39 million gallons flowing thru this river every hour, the Israelites crossed over on dry land.
Dry land: Free from moisture, an absence, deficiency, or failure of natural moisture, not now containing water or other liquids, depleted, empty of liquid, drained, evaporated away, lacking enough moisture to be satisfying…are you getting the picture here?
God took that obscene amount of water and stopped it in a tidal wave type of movement. He cleared it out to the point of the priests standing on dry ground, two million people had dust on their feet and shoes from crossing, and no one was wet!
What an mind-blowing God we serve, if He can do this, I am so sure He can do whatever requirements to be completed in your life today in order for you to acquire your victory!
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too excellent. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific site.
Can I just say such a alleviation to discover anyone who really realizes what they may be sharing on the web. You actually get experience to bring a difficulty to light and allow it to essential. Even more people require to learn it and comprehend this section of the story. I can’t believe you aren’t very popular because you really have the gift.