Bible Study – Joshua (2) – Be Confident in GOD’S Power – June 14, 2015

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Be Strong and Courageous: Leadership Lessons from Joshua.”

Our focus scripture is Joshua 3:7-17.

Lead from a position of confidence in GOD.

Unity is a must as the Israelites move into the Promised Land. There must be unity with GOD first of all and then unity between Joshua and the Israelites and among the Israelites. This is still true today for all Christians and Christian institutions who seek to be obedient followers of CHRIST.

GOD instructed Joshua to prepare for the crossing of the Jordan River. In Chapter 2, we learn that Joshua sent two spies to look over the land they were about to enter and “especially Jericho.”

When they went to Jericho, they went to the local house of prostitution. The madam was a lady named Rahab. Why would they go to a house of prostitution? Simply, it was the place where they could find out what was happening in Jericho without drawing attention to them. Rahab did not disappoint because she had a wealth of information plus she protected the spies because word got out that there were spies in Jericho. Her house was located in the city wall which gave the easy access to the city as well as an escape route from the city.

The Israelites were no small mass of people. Some have estimated that the Israelites had grown to about 2 million people. So their presence on the opposite side of the Jordan River had not gone unnoticed. The citizens of Jericho were well aware of the presence of the Israelites and the fact that they were preparing to invade them as recorded in Joshua 2:8-11:

8 Before the men (Jewish spies) fell asleep, she (Rahab) went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the • Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you •completely destroyed across the Jordan. 11 When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

So Rahab cooperated with the Jewish spies with a motive in mind. If she helped them, they were to look out for her and her family when they invaded Jericho.

Rahab surrendered her life to the one true GOD of the Israelites for her salvation. GOD knew her heart. Rahab was a relative of Boaz and thus in the ancestral line of JESUS as listed in Matthew 1:5:

5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Because of her faith, Rahab was listed in Hebrews 11:30-31:

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

GOD looks at the heart and uses those who may not think they would find favor in GOD’S sight. HIS ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are far beyond our thoughts because HE is focused on the end result.

Just as Joshua prepared to obediently follow GOD, Christians are to do the same as they obediently follow GOD through the leadership of CHRIST. Most of us tend to question GOD and HIS instructions. The process of sanctification is designed to build trust and confidence to completely obeying the leadership of GOD. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Joshua 3:1-6: (Lead in)

1 Joshua started early the next morning and left the Acacia Grove (Shittim) with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan and stayed there before crossing. 2 After three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people: “When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God carried by the Levitical priests, you must break camp and follow it. 4 But keep a distance of about 1,000 yards between yourselves and the ark. Don’t go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before.” 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” 6 Then he said to the priests, “Take the Ark of the Covenant and go on ahead of the people.” So they carried the Ark of the Covenant and went ahead of them.

Preparation is key to any successful journey. The Israelites were about to embark on a journey led by GOD. They had waited 40 years for this day. The journey was to fulfill the promise GOD had made to the Israelites and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. GOD would be their leader.                                                                                            

The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of GOD’S presence to both the Israelites and to all as they entered into the Promised Land. GOD wanted all the Israelites to see that the One True Living GOD of the Israelites was leading them. GOD was manifesting Himself to the world through the Israelites and revealing HIS presence.

The Israelites were to keep a distance of about 1,000 feet between them and the Ark of the Covenant. This provision was to put their focus on GOD as their leader and not the 40,000 warriors. GOD would reveal HIS power and strength to the Israelites and to the world.

GOD told them that they had never been that way before. When we are called by GOD, we have never been that way before, therefore, Christians are to wait upon the LORD and obediently follow HIM and not jump ahead of HIM. In preparation of obediently following GOD, they were to consecrate themselves and be thoroughly committed to GOD’S calling. The Israelites were on Holy Ground because of the presence of GOD.

This is true today for all Christians. Everywhere we place our feet is Holy ground because of the presence of GOD in our lives when HE leads us according to HIS will and purpose.

GOD told the Israelites that they would witness the wonders of HIS presence the next day. When we take steps of faith and GOD gives victory, they are precursors for more steps of faith.

Who were to take the first steps of faith? GOD instructed the priests to take the led with GOD. That is the sad thing that we see in our world today, GOD’S chosen leaders must maintain the faith. We are seeing Christians quickly trying to be politically correct. Sin is sin and we must keep in mind that we must love the sinner but hate the sin. We must keep in mind that Christians are sinners saved by grace and reveal this grace to others as they obediently serve the LORD JESUS.

GOD confirmed to the Israelites that HE was with Joshua.

Let’s read Joshua 3:7-8:

7 The Lord spoke to Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses. 8 Command the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant: When you reach the edge of the waters, stand in the Jordan.”

GOD spoke a message of encouragement to Joshua. It was likely to reassure him and build his confidence that HE was with him. Joshua listened and responded. Two vital ingredients in obediently serving GOD – HE speaks and we respond. 

How GOD communicated with Joshua was not stated other than “GOD spoke”. I imagine, since Joshua was Moses’ right hand man that GOD spoke to him just as HE did to Moses but not necessarily because GOD speaks according to the way we best receive HIS communication.

GOD reassured Joshua that HE would be with him just as HE had been with Moses. Keep in mind that Joshua had accompanied Moses when Moses met face to face with GOD but now Joshua was in charge. He had been waiting for over 40 years to enter the Promise Land. GOD saw the need to reassure him that he was ready and there would be success. Joshua was keenly aware of the need to follow GOD’S instructions to the letter.

That area was getting spring rains and the Jordan River was overflowing its’ banks and has been estimated that under normal conditions it ranged from 3 to 12 feet deep in various spots across the river and 100 feet wide at its widest point. It is one thing to cross a river under normal conditions but when it was at flood stage that was a different and challenging task. GOD wanted it to a challenging task because HE needed for Joshua’s faith in HIM to be assured as well as the Israelites faith that GOD was leading Joshua. GOD does the impossible to highlight the possible under HIS leadership.

The Israelites preparing to cross the Jordan had either experienced or heard the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry ground to escape the Egyptians under the leadership of Moses. Would Joshua prove to be the same caliber of leader as Moses?  

Over forty years earlier the Israelites had escaped Egyptian bondage by crossing the Red Sea on dry ground. Joshua and Caleb (Caleb was 40 years old when he spied on the Promised Land for Moses – Joshua 14:7.) experienced that crossing, now they were preparing to cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. Did they need Moses staff? No, because GOD does not always manifest Himself in the same manner.

GOD led the Israelites to face a formidable obstacle early in their journey by facing the crossing the Jordan River at flood stage. What would Joshua do? Would the Israelites lose confidence in Joshua and GOD or both? But GOD was in charge, they would cross on dry ground.

When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant reached the river they were to stop. GOD wanted the Israelites to witness what happened next. It would be a teachable event to build the faith of all who witnessed GOD’S hand at work.

Even today, it is still a teachable event and continues to build confidence and assurance when Christians face formidable barriers when they are obediently following GOD. It is vital that GOD gives the instructions regarding what to do, when to do it and then do it.

Let’s read Joshua 3:9-13:

9 Then Joshua told the Israelites, “Come closer and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 10 He said: “You will know that the living God is among you and that He will certainly dispossess before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites 11 when the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all the earth goes ahead of you into the Jordan. 12 Now choose 12 men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe. 13 When the feet of the priests who carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, come to rest in the Jordan’s waters, its waters will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand up in a mass.”

GOD wanted the Israelites to witness HIS miracle. They were to gather close. Twelve men, one from each tribe, were to be chosen but their purpose was yet to be defined. The chosen 12 were to be prepared when the feet of the priests came to rest in the Jordan’s waters. The flow of water would be cut off. The flowing water will stand up in a mass. Now that would a sight to behold but also a test of faith. Would it hold?

Some historians say that history reveals that area was prone to earthquakes and landslides so an earthquake happened and a landslide dammed up the river above the place where the Israelites were crossing. So! Timing is everything and GOD is in charge of all things. Is GOD restricted from using something that can be explained? It reveals that HE is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent.

Keep in mind that by the water being shutoff above the crossing point that also meant that no water was flowing below the crossing point, which would open up a wide area for the approximately 2 million Israelites to cross in a timely manner. 

We learn in Joshua 4:1-15 the purpose of the twelve chosen who gathered a stone from the dry riverbed.

Let’s read Joshua 3:14-17:

14 When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant ahead of the people. 15 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge 16 and the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a mass that extended as far as Adam, a city next to Zarethan. The water flowing downstream into the Sea of the • Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off, and the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 The priests carrying the Ark of the Lord’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

WOW!!! That must have been a sight to see. It took faith for the priests to hold their position and for the Israelites to cross on dry ground. Would it hold? What was going through the minds of the priests as they stood in the riverbed? What was going through the minds of the Israelites as they crossed with their families? This was a moment to trust GOD and they did. Would such an event have built your faith in GOD? Is GOD still in the miracle business? I know so.

Let’s consider the Ark of the Covenant. It represented the presence of GOD but we know from history that there was a time when the Israelites shifted their faith from GOD to faith in the Ark. Such a shift spelled disaster and it is a caution to Christians. Christians know the power represented by the cross. It must never become the point of worship in place of the LORD JESUS Who gave HIS life that those who place their faith in HIM will have eternal life and experience the miracle of rebirth into GOD’S family. Is the cross to you a good luck charm or does it represent the power of salvation?

What was Joshua’s leadership skill? He trusted GOD and acted upon what GOD had revealed to him. Joshua followed GOD’S instructions completely. That means Joshua had the right relationship with GOD and that he trusted GOD. He allowed GOD to lead and he obeyed. Joshua was organized and delegated others to implement GOD’S plan. He had the right relationship with those to whom he delegated and trusted that they would do as he instructed them. Unity is critical in any organization but so is the unity of the leadership with GOD. Blessings!!!