Message of the Day: Never Gone This Way Before? Trust God! Obey His Words!
Text: Joshua 3:1-17
Key Verse: Joshua 3:4
“Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” (NKJV)
Joshua was the successor of Moses. He was God’s chosen servant (24:29; Deut. 34:5) to bring Moses’ work to completion and establish Israel in the promised land which was recorded in the Book of Joshua. The narrative, tells of the partial conquest, distribution, and settlement of Canaan.
Israel’s conquest of Jericho was more than just a military exercise. It had religious meaning. The Israelites were to cleanse themselves before God, because he was the one who would lead them against their enemies. The ark of the covenant is the most sacred tabernacle furnishings because it signifies the Lord’s throne and his presence. It was the Lord himself who went into the Jordan ahead of His people as he led them into the land of rest.
The distance of about two thousand cubits depicts that there was evidently, a line of march, with the priests and ark leading the way. It was a way of giving respect for the sacred symbol of the Lord’s holy presence. Furthermore, the distance is ordered so they will not crowd too near to the ark so the view will not be intercepted and they might better observe, and mark how the miracle was accomplished. Most importantly, they had to observe such command because they have never gone that way before. The ark served as guide to them so they can recognize the untrodden path.
The next part of the narrative we see a successful crossing of the Jordan river by the Israelites. They were able to accomplish it because they obeyed the command to prepare themselves (v.5) and to observe the distance. May we learn from their experience. We have never passed this way before. We have never experience a pandemic such as this, but if we have faith and obedience we will be able to survive this calamity. We are not always aware of what God is up to, so we can put our trust in him and view this situation as preparation for whatever he has in store for us.
Also read: The Crossing of the Jordan River
Sources:
MySword for Android. Riversoft Minsitry, 2011-2019.
Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020.
Zondervan NASB Sutdy Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1999.
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