Joshua 3-4

 Observations and Interpretation:

(1) What was emphasized in the crossing of Jordan?

The people were told to walk behind the ark, but keep a distant 3:3-4. The ark  v.15was called, "the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God v.3," or the ark of the covenant  v.6,8, 14,17 or "the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth v.11, 13

(BKC) the ark symbolized the LORD Himself, it was Yahweh who led His people into Canaan...But they were to keep their distance by some 3,000 feet. Why? Probably to remind them of the sacredness of the ark and the holiness of the God it represented. They were to have no casual or careless intimacy with God but a profound spirit of respect and reverence. God was to be considered not “the Man upstairs” but the sovereign and holy God of all the earth...It was new territory so without the Lord’s guidance and leadership the people would not know which direction to take.

Application: What are the things you are facing that you are afraid of? Some people my age are afraid of suffering, sickness, or death. How about you? Is the presence of God certain in your sight? Our God is the God of the whole earth and we have nothing to be afraid of. 

On the other hand, do we have the proper fear of our God? Do we respect Him as the God of the whole earth? Do we worship Him as the way He prescribed?

(2) What did the crossing of Jordan remind the Israelites?

5 Joshua told the people, “Ritually consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will perform miraculous deeds among you.”

Israel was told to cleanse themselves before they met God at the foot of Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 19:10-11)
7 The LORD told Joshua, “This very day I will begin to honor you before all Israel, so they will know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.

God was with Joshua, just like He was with Moses. 

17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side.
Israel walked on dry land when they crossed the Red Sea. 

Application: Before the important moment of the nation Israel, God gave them a chance to remember their past. God was with them in the past, He revealed Himself to them at the foot of Mt. Sinai. God was with Moses their previous leader, and He continued to be with Joshua. He saved Israel from Egypt to open up the Red Sea. 

He started the journey and He continued His work until it was finished. He is a God that we can trust. Are you in a critical moment of your life? Is your marriage becoming difficult? Remember what God has done in your life and trust in Him. 

(3) What did God want Israel to be reminded of?

The 12 stones the 12 tribes picked up from the Jordan River will be a reminder of how God had stopped the river flowing 4:6-7, 20-24. They were not only sentimental, but the reminder also served as the teaching tool to the future generation 4:6-7, 21-22. By recognizing what God had done we should also obey the LORD our God 4:24.

Application: Have you ever shared with your children what God had done in your lives? Do you have any Joshua's stone project in your house? You may want to pick something to remember what God has done to their families during a family trip. Or you can write some poems about your family's history and frame it. Or simply have a family photo book with words in it. 

Are we encouraged to obey God after we reviewed and reflected what God has done to your lives?

Audrey