Lesson 154 - Junior

Memory Verse

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee" (Joshua 3:7).

Notes

Early in the Morning

At last came the day for which the Children of Israel had longed - the day to enter the Land of Canaan. For forty years they had looked forward to that time. They had been told many wonderful things about Canaan, a land that flowed with milk and honey, wherein were cities and houses already built, with wells and vineyards for the Children of Israel.

Three days before ([JOS:1:10-11]), officers had gone through the camp to tell the people to prepare food, for they were about to cross the Jordan river. Preparations had been made. Two spies had viewed the land ([JOS:2:1]) and reported to Joshua that fear was in the hearts of those who lived in Canaan. They told Joshua that the people had no more courage because they had heard how God was with the Children of Israel; they had heard about their encounters with the kings of the Amorites.

Before the death of Moses, God had appointed Joshua to lead the Children of Israel across Jordan into the Land of Canaan. Joshua had been in Canaan forty years before to spy out the land. He had been one of the two spies who said, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30). At that time the Children of Israel had feared to go into the land of promise because of the walled cities and the giants. For forty years they wandered in the wilderness where God worked many miracles to strengthen their faith. Joshua must have been very eager to cross Jordan. Joshua had told them before that the Lord was with them ([NUM:14:9]) ; and had not God proved it to the Children of Israel? Did He not promise to be with Joshua as He had been with Moses? Joshua must have believed the truth of the words that were later written by Paul, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

When the day was at hand, Joshua rose early in the morning. No doubt he felt his responsibility as a leader, and there was work to be done that all the words of the Lord would be obeyed.

Instructions to the People

Once more the officers were sent to the people with the orders of the Lord. The people were directed to sanctify themselves as a preparation, for the Lord would do wonders among them.

No more was the cloud over them to lead and protect. The Children of Israel were instructed to watch the Ark of the Covenant, in which were the tables of the Law, Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden pot of manna ([HEB:9:4]). The Ark was carried by the priests. The Children of Israel were told to stay back from the Ark a distance of about half a mile; then all of them could see the Ark and know where they were going. They had never passed that way before but they were to follow after the Ark. When the priests who carried it moved, then the Children of Israel were to move.

Christians who are travelling to a heavenly Canaan must keep their eyes on the Guide, who is Christ. They have never trod the way before; but by following the Lord in faith, they will enter into their spiritual inheritance. As the Ark, borne by the priests, went before to search out a resting place for the Children of Israel, so Jesus has gone before to prepare a place for His people ([JHN:14:2]).

Joshua told the people that their crossing Jordan would be a token of God's presence and a pledge that the inhabitants of the land would be driven out by the Lord Himself.

Priests

Finally everything was in readiness. No doubt all eyes were upon the Ark, lest when it was moved the people would not see it. The priests had a wonderful privilege and a great responsibility to bear the sacred Ark. At last the order to go was given, but the water of the river was still in its place. What a wonderful scene as the priests who were carrying the Ark moved forward in faith and in obedience, and the people began to follow! The priests reached the water's edge but still nothing happened. Had not the Lord said that the waters of Jordan would be cut off? They were, when the feet of the priests touched the water. Back rolled the water, even the floodwater of the harvest time! "The priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground."

The Lord cut off the waters of the Jordan river. On the upstream side they were heaped up, permitting the Children of Israel to cross on dry ground. What a miracle the Lord performed! Surely He did wonders for the Children of Israel. It was no act of nature. There is no explanation except that God did it for them.

Cannot all children of God say that He has done wonders for them? Perhaps some have had a test to prove that they have faith in God, much like the priests who went forward even though there were floodwaters ahead of them. When they obeyed God, He rolled back the hindrances.

Memorials

When the Children of Israel were passed over Jordan, the priests who carried the Ark remained in their places until they were told to move. A memorial was to be made in the river bed. It was not Joshua's idea; God commanded them to do it. Some people might have been careless about doing all that God commanded but not Joshua. Some people would have run for their lives for fear the waters would recede after the people were across but not these priests of God. They did what they were told and were careful to obey in full the commandment of the Lord. God expects His people today to obey in detail, too.

A monument of twelve stones was erected by Joshua in the midst of the river bed where the priests had stood. Another memorial was made at Gilgal, their first camp on the west of Jordan.

Twelve men, one out of every tribe, had been chosen to do a special work unto the Lord. Each of the twelve men carried upon his shoulder a stone from the midst of Jordan to Gilgal. There the stones remained to remind them of God's power when He dried up the waters of Jordan until they had passed over.

They were commanded to teach their children about these memorials. In time to come they would ask, "What mean these stones?" The children would be told that the stones were a sign that Israel crossed Jordan on dry land. Thus God's work of wonders would be kept in everlasting remembrance.

Fighting Men

With the Children of Israel were the fighting men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Rather than go into the land of promise for their inheritance, these two and one half tribes had chosen to settle on the east side of Jordan ([NUM:32:5]). They had agreed to send their armed men over Jordan with the rest of the Children of Israel. What a mixture of feelings that day! Undoubtedly, the Children of Israel were happy to enter the land of promise for which they had longed; and yet, in their hearts, there must have been a little sadness that some of their brethren were being left behind, by their own choosing.

After all the people had hastened into Canaan, and memorials had been erected, Joshua commanded the priests to go up out of Jordan. Until everything was finished they stood in their places, and God held the waters back as long as necessary. As the priests walked up the river bank, back rolled Jordan into its place.

Canaan

The Children of Israel first camped at Gilgal. They had entered the land of promise in time to prepare for the feast of the Passover ([LEV:23:5]), which they kept ([JOS:5:10]) in memory of the day in which the Lord led them out of Egypt ([EXO:12:6], [EXO:12:14], [EXO:12:17]).

The people had respect for Joshua and feared him as they had feared Moses, because by the hand of Joshua God led them into Canaan, the land that flowed with milk and honey.

God led the Children of Israel through the Jordan river, a great natural defence. They did not have to build a bridge nor a boat or raft to get across. Not by the works of our hands, but by faith in the power and mercy of God, are we brought into our spiritual inheritance today. "Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:9). As surely as God led the Children of Israel through Jordan's flood, so He will lead His people today into the spiritual inheritance of a good land.

Questions

1. How did the Children of Israel prepare to cross the Jordan river?

2. Who led the procession?

3. How did the people get across the river?

4. Describe the river at that time, which was the harvest time.

5. Why did the priests stand in the midst of the river?

6. What did they carry?

7. What explanation was given when the children asked, "What mean these stones?"

8. Where did they get the stones?

9. When did the priests move from the midst of the Jordan river?

10. Who had been made the leader of the Children of Israel?