Overview:

Joshua 3 details the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. God instructs Joshua to have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant and step into the river first, causing the waters to part and allowing Israel to cross on dry ground. This event marks God’s endorsement of Joshua as Israel’s leader, mirroring the crossing of the Red Sea under Moses. God’s instructions emphasize the importance of faith, obedience, and reverence for His presence among His people. The crossing of the Jordan signifies God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises, His power to overcome obstacles, and His call for His people to step forward in faith.

Key themes include God’s presence and guidance, the power of obedience and faith, and the importance of consecration in approaching God’s promises.

Historical and Literary Context:

Joshua 3 occurs as Israel stands on the border of Canaan, ready to take possession of the Promised Land. This moment is pivotal; the Jordan River acts as both a physical and symbolic boundary between the wilderness and the land of promise. The Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s presence, leads the way, symbolizing God’s role as both guide and protector. This chapter establishes Joshua’s leadership, as God performs a miracle similar to the Red Sea crossing under Moses. The Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan represents a new beginning, setting the stage for their conquest of Canaan.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

God’s Presence and Guidance:

God’s instruction to have the Ark of the Covenant go before Israel underscores His presence as their leader and guide. The Ark, symbolizing God’s holiness and covenant with Israel, reminds the people that they are to follow His lead and rely on His guidance as they enter the land.

For Christians, this theme emphasizes the importance of God’s presence in every step of their journey. Just as God led Israel, Jesus assures His followers of His guidance, declaring, “I am the way” (John 14:6). Believers are reminded to seek God’s direction in all things, trusting that He will lead them into His promises.

The Power of Obedience and Faith:

The priests’ act of stepping into the Jordan before the waters part reflects obedience and faith in God’s command. This act of faith unlocks God’s power, halting the river and allowing Israel to cross on dry ground.

For Christians, the priests’ obedience serves as a powerful reminder of the role of faith in accessing God’s promises. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that “without faith it is impossible to please God,” encouraging believers to trust God’s instructions even when the path seems uncertain. Obedience in faith invites God’s intervention and makes the impossible possible.

The Importance of Consecration:

God’s command for the people to consecrate themselves before the crossing highlights the need for spiritual purity and readiness in approaching God’s promises. This consecration signifies their commitment to God and their trust in His power to deliver them.

For Christians, consecration reflects a heart prepared to receive God’s blessings and to walk in His will. Romans 12:1 calls believers to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” emphasizing the importance of holiness and devotion in fulfilling God’s purposes.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Joshua 3:1-2:

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp.”

Joshua’s early morning rise and the people’s camp by the Jordan reflect their readiness and anticipation for crossing into the Promised Land. The three-day wait before crossing allows time for the people to prepare spiritually and to focus on God’s presence with them.

For Christians, this passage highlights the importance of preparation and spiritual readiness. Psalm 5:3 encourages believers to “lay [their] requests before [God] and wait expectantly,” reminding them to seek God’s guidance with a prepared and expectant heart.

Joshua 3:3-4:

“Giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.’”

The Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, leads the way across the Jordan, symbolizing God’s guidance. The people are instructed to follow at a distance, emphasizing the holiness of God’s presence and their need for reverence.

For Christians, this passage reminds them to follow God’s lead and to approach Him with reverence. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,” emphasizing reliance on God’s guidance and reverence for His presence.

Joshua 3:5:

“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’”

Joshua instructs the people to consecrate themselves in preparation for the miraculous crossing. This act of consecration involves setting themselves apart for God, acknowledging His holiness, and preparing their hearts to witness His power.

For Christians, this call to consecration emphasizes the importance of spiritual purity and readiness to see God’s work. James 4:8 urges believers to “come near to God and he will come near to you,” encouraging them to pursue holiness and devotion to God in anticipation of His presence.

Joshua 3:7-8:

“And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: “When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.”’”

God promises to exalt Joshua, affirming his leadership in the eyes of Israel. By miraculously halting the Jordan’s waters, God will demonstrate His presence with Joshua, similar to how He was with Moses. The priests’ step into the Jordan represents an act of faith that will activate God’s power.

For Christians, this passage reinforces the importance of faith and obedience in following God’s commands. Just as God was with Joshua, Jesus assures believers of His presence, encouraging them to step out in faith as they follow His guidance (Matthew 28:20).

Joshua 3:9-11:

“Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.’”

Joshua calls the people to listen to God’s words, assuring them of His presence and His promise to defeat their enemies. The Ark, symbolizing God’s power and authority, will go before them, affirming that God will fulfill His promises.

For Christians, this passage emphasizes the assurance of God’s presence and His power to overcome obstacles. Romans 8:31 reminds believers that “if God is for us, who can be against us,” encouraging them to trust in God’s protection and victory.

Joshua 3:12-13:

“Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

Joshua selects twelve men from each tribe, symbolizing the unity of Israel as they cross the Jordan together. The miracle will occur when the priests step into the river, demonstrating the power of faith in initiating God’s work.

For Christians, this passage highlights the role of faith in bringing about God’s miracles. Mark 11:22-23 teaches that “if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt… it will be done for them,” encouraging believers to trust in God’s power and to act in faith.

Joshua 3:14-16:

“So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.”

Despite the Jordan being at flood stage, the moment the priests touch the water, the flow is miraculously halted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The event mirrors the Red Sea crossing, affirming God’s power and His faithfulness to lead His people into the Promised Land.

For Christians, this passage highlights God’s power to make a way where there seems to be none. Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God making “a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,” reminding believers that God can overcome any obstacle to fulfill His promises.

Joshua 3:17:

“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”

The priests remain in the riverbed, holding the Ark as the entire nation crosses safely. This act not only demonstrates God’s protection but also highlights the significance of the Ark, which represents God’s presence among His people. The crossing on dry ground fulfills God’s promise and marks a new chapter in Israel’s journey.

For Christians, this verse emphasizes the assurance of God’s presence in life’s transitions. Just as the Ark stood firm in the Jordan, Christ stands as the unchanging foundation for believers, giving them confidence in His presence and support (Hebrews 13:8).

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Joshua 3 illustrates God’s faithfulness, power, and presence, all of which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Just as God led Israel into the Promised Land, Jesus leads His followers into eternal life, guiding them through life’s challenges. The priests’ step into the Jordan and the stopping of the river prefigure Christ’s miraculous acts, showing that God’s power and protection are available to those who trust Him.

The Ark, symbolizing God’s presence, foreshadows Christ’s role as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. Through Jesus, believers receive guidance, protection, and the promise of God’s abiding presence. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross opens the way for believers to experience God’s promises fully, encouraging them to step forward in faith, knowing He is with them.

Sermon Outline and Flow:

Title: “Crossing the Jordan: Faith, Obedience, and God’s Presence”

1. Introduction
   • Introduce the themes of faith, obedience, and God’s presence as Israel prepares to cross into the Promised Land.
   • Emphasize how God’s faithfulness and miraculous intervention guide His people through obstacles.
2. God’s Presence and Guidance (Joshua 3:3-4)
   • Discuss the Ark of the Covenant leading Israel across the Jordan, symbolizing God’s role as their guide.
   • Apply this to the Christian life, where Jesus leads believers as they follow Him in faith (John 14:6).
3. The Power of Obedience and Faith (Joshua 3:5-13)
   • Examine the priests’ act of stepping into the Jordan in obedience, emphasizing how faith activates God’s power.
   • Apply this to the Christian life, where believers are encouraged to trust God’s promises and to step out in faith (Hebrews 11:6).
4. The Importance of Consecration (Joshua 3:5)
   • Highlight the call to consecrate themselves before crossing, underscoring the need for spiritual purity.
   • Apply this to the Christian life, where holiness prepares believers to experience God’s presence (Romans 12:1).
5. Conclusion
   • Reaffirm the call to follow God’s guidance, to act in faith, and to prepare one’s heart for God’s promises, trusting in His presence and power.

Illustrations and Examples:

• Personal Story: Share an example of someone who found strength in God’s guidance through a difficult transition, illustrating God’s faithfulness.
• Global Example: Many cultures value the importance of stepping forward in faith. Relate this to the act of trusting God’s promises and obeying His commands.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Joshua 3 calls today’s believers to:

• Seek God’s Guidance in Every Step: Just as Israel followed the Ark, believers are encouraged to seek Jesus’ guidance, trusting that He leads them toward His promises.
• Step Out in Faith and Obedience: The priests’ step into the Jordan exemplifies obedience. Believers are called to step out in faith, trusting that God’s power is at work.
• Pursue Holiness and Consecration: The command to consecrate reflects the importance of spiritual purity. Believers are encouraged to seek holiness, preparing their hearts to experience God’s presence.

Connection to the Father in Joshua 3:

God the Father’s faithfulness is evident in His miraculous intervention at the Jordan, guiding Israel into the Promised Land. His presence leads and protects His people, assuring them of His love and commitment to fulfill His promises. Just as God opened the way for Israel, He continues to guide His people today, calling them to trust in His power and presence.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Joshua 3:

The Ark leading Israel into the Jordan foreshadows Jesus, who leads believers into a relationship with God and eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection open the way for believers, providing them with access to God’s promises. Through Christ, believers are invited to step forward in faith, confident in His guidance and love.

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Joshua 3:

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to act in faith and obedience, leading them through life’s challenges. Just as the priests trusted God’s command, the Spirit strengthens believers to trust and obey, encouraging them to follow God’s guidance. The Spirit’s presence provides assurance and confidence as believers step out in faith.

Connection to God’s Love in Joshua 3:

God’s love is displayed in His presence with Israel, guiding and protecting them as they cross the Jordan. His provision for their journey reflects His desire for their well-being and success. Through Jesus, God’s love invites believers to trust in His guidance, knowing that He is with them through every obstacle.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Israel’s crossing of the Jordan inspire you to trust God’s guidance and provision in your own life?
2. In what areas do you need to step out in faith and obedience, trusting that God will make a way?
3. How does the command to consecrate yourself challenge you to pursue holiness in preparation for God’s promises?
4. What steps can you take to seek God’s guidance as you move forward in life’s transitions?
5. How does the example of God’s presence with Israel encourage you to rely on His love and faithfulness?