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Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus
Joshua: Part 3 East Rock
Joshua: Part 3 "The Crossing"
Locations & Times
Church of The Nazarene- East Rock
East Side Hwy, Elkton, VA 22827, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Today we are continuing our teaching series in the book of Joshua.
Our goal in this series is not just to brush up on ancient history, but to join the generations of God’s people who have looked back to see the faithfulness of God.
Our teaching text today explores the story of the children of Israel entering the promised land, crossing the Jordan River on dry ground.
Our goal in this series is not just to brush up on ancient history, but to join the generations of God’s people who have looked back to see the faithfulness of God.
Our teaching text today explores the story of the children of Israel entering the promised land, crossing the Jordan River on dry ground.
Last week we studied the account of Rahab and the two Israelite spies. The spies returned with the report that indeed God was moving ahead of them.
Joshua doesn’t waste any time. They break camp and move to the banks of the Jordan River, just opposite of the city of Jericho.
As we go through this story, remember, many scholars estimate this could be as many as two million people.
Joshua doesn’t waste any time. They break camp and move to the banks of the Jordan River, just opposite of the city of Jericho.
As we go through this story, remember, many scholars estimate this could be as many as two million people.
The officers tell the people that they need to follow the Ark of the Covenant.
The ark came into the story back in exodus, when God gave Moses instructions on how to build it. It was a physical representation of God’s presence.
That’s significant because what the people are told is that they are to keep their eyes on the Lord, they don’t know the way ahead.They will know which way to go by looking to the Lord.
Even though they were to watch it, they were to keep their distance of about 1000 yards. This speaks of the holiness of God and the honor they were to show him, as well as logistically, for that many people to see, they would have to keep their distance.
Joshua tells them- Consecrate yourselves, for the Lord will do amazing things- God didn’t need the people to do anything for the miracle, but he did require their obedience.
Consecrate yourselves carries the idea of setting yourself apart from distractions. Be dressed, clean, and ready to go. Get rid of anything that would distract you from seeing what God is about to do.
We begin to see that God is not as concerned with the logistics or the miracle as he is the spiritual significance for the people.
The ark came into the story back in exodus, when God gave Moses instructions on how to build it. It was a physical representation of God’s presence.
That’s significant because what the people are told is that they are to keep their eyes on the Lord, they don’t know the way ahead.They will know which way to go by looking to the Lord.
Even though they were to watch it, they were to keep their distance of about 1000 yards. This speaks of the holiness of God and the honor they were to show him, as well as logistically, for that many people to see, they would have to keep their distance.
Joshua tells them- Consecrate yourselves, for the Lord will do amazing things- God didn’t need the people to do anything for the miracle, but he did require their obedience.
Consecrate yourselves carries the idea of setting yourself apart from distractions. Be dressed, clean, and ready to go. Get rid of anything that would distract you from seeing what God is about to do.
We begin to see that God is not as concerned with the logistics or the miracle as he is the spiritual significance for the people.
Following the Lord’s instructions, the priests take up the ark of the covenant, representing God’s presence, and they take off towards the water.
The priests continue on out to the middle of the riverbed. It’s backed up some 20 miles now.
God moved mightily on behalf of his people to fulfill his promise to them. A promise hundreds of years in the making, came true in this moment because of the power and grace of God going ahead of his people.
If he could stop the waters of the Jordan, there was not an army in the land of Canaan that stood any chance, and they knew it too.
The power of God was unrivaled and his faithfulness was leading the way for his people.
The priests continue on out to the middle of the riverbed. It’s backed up some 20 miles now.
God moved mightily on behalf of his people to fulfill his promise to them. A promise hundreds of years in the making, came true in this moment because of the power and grace of God going ahead of his people.
If he could stop the waters of the Jordan, there was not an army in the land of Canaan that stood any chance, and they knew it too.
The power of God was unrivaled and his faithfulness was leading the way for his people.
As the last few stragglers come out over the river bank, Joshua having already received instructions from the Lord, sends men out to begin constructing the memorial of this event.
This monument of 12 stones was to serve as a reminder for future generations of the miraculous power of God in delivering his people. But this is more than a calendar notification. Verse 6 says it’s to be a sign.
A sign of God’s mighty power, a testimony to his greatness. And also a sign for future generations to fear God, and to look to him.
This story and this memorial are not just for us to remember the past, it’s to teach us something valuable for the present.
So, what about you? In the difficult places of your life- what lessons do you see?
Do you see the power of God to dam up a mighty river at flood stage?
Do you hear that that same God is with you today in the midst of your battle? Do you hear the call to keep your eyes on him?
Just like the children of Israel had to look to the Ark, you need to look to the father to guide your way.
Do you see the need to take that step of faith into the troubled waters, even though it seems crazy?
Today is not so much a response as an invitation.
I would invite you to spend some time in this passage this week.
Allow God to work in you through this story and speak truth into your heart right now. He knows what your facing, and he has a plan. He wants you to be in it.
God is Faithful and mighty to save!
A sign of God’s mighty power, a testimony to his greatness. And also a sign for future generations to fear God, and to look to him.
This story and this memorial are not just for us to remember the past, it’s to teach us something valuable for the present.
So, what about you? In the difficult places of your life- what lessons do you see?
Do you see the power of God to dam up a mighty river at flood stage?
Do you hear that that same God is with you today in the midst of your battle? Do you hear the call to keep your eyes on him?
Just like the children of Israel had to look to the Ark, you need to look to the father to guide your way.
Do you see the need to take that step of faith into the troubled waters, even though it seems crazy?
Today is not so much a response as an invitation.
I would invite you to spend some time in this passage this week.
Allow God to work in you through this story and speak truth into your heart right now. He knows what your facing, and he has a plan. He wants you to be in it.
God is Faithful and mighty to save!