Fortified Faith & Overwhelming Obstacles
#5 in Series: "Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future"
(A Study in the Book of Joshua)
Let's begin today with the simple reading of our text. Let's hear the Word of God –
Joshua 3:1-17
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." 6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
7 Now the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. 8 You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" 9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God." 10 Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan. 12 Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe. 13 It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap."
14 So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), 16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
In our series through the book of Joshua, we are learning from the past, and preparing for the future… We learn from our own past, but more importantly, we have the opportunity to learn from … all past – from history!... The principles we learn from history are blessed by God to help us in the anticipation of the future!
We are learning from life experiences from what God did in, and through the lives of His people during the days of Joshua…
So far, we have seen how the Lord commissioned Joshua to be the next leader of Israel, and ordered him to lead the nation to cross the Jordan, conquer, and begin to possess the land He had covenanted to give to Abraham's covenant descendants…
Joshua reminds the two and half tribes – Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh – that will ultimately settle on the east side of the Jordan, that they are to send their fighting men to assist the rest of the tribes to possess their portion of the Promised Land…
In the second chapter we learned about the two spies – the two scouts that were sent over the Jordan to scope out Jerricho and surrounding area… We learned about Rahab, and the commitment she made to protect these spies. And we learned how she became a part of the blood line that would usher in the Messiah in His first coming…
Our study brings us to chapter 3, where we read of the long awaited crossing of the Jordan River, as the children of Israel actually cross over and begin the process of possessing the land God had covenanted to give them!
This chapter told us how Joshua led Israel from Shittim to the banks of the Jordan River where they made camp. A few days later – 3 days later – the officers told the Israelites to follow the Ark of the Covenant when they saw it passing through the camp. They were instructed to follow the Ark at a distance of 2,000 cubits (1,000 yards), which would leave enough distance for everyone to see… As they follow, they were led to the location where they would cross the river.
Before they would cross, Joshua told the people to "consecrate" themselves, in preparation for the mighty work of God they were about to witness… When the time came for crossing the river, Joshua, at the Lord's instruction, told the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan River. As soon as the priest's feet touched the water, the water upstream from them "stood and rose up in one heap"... The water downstream continued flowing until the riverbed was dry… Joshua told the people –
Joshua 3:10
Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
All Israel crossed over the Jordan on dry ground, as the priests remained in the river with the Ark of the Covenant until the entire congregation was on the west bank of the river…
God's Word not only records history, but it reveals principles that are to be applied in the lives of God's people throughout history. God's Word equips us today, so that we too may live faithfully unto the Lord.
We need to approach our passage today – principally… That is, we need to identify, understand and apply what are the timeless truths revealed, or illustrated in the text… Though we read about what happened, we learned about how things happened, and even a little about why they happened…
Studying God's Word is more than paying attention to details – it is that, but it's more than that. Studying God's Word involves "looking under the hood", looking for the timeless truths in the text. That will be our attempt today…
Now, I've entitled today's message – "Fortified Faith & Overwhelming Obstacles"... Let's think about this in the reverse order for a moment… Let's begin by thinking about overwhelming obstacles… What "obstacles" do we see people facing in chapter 3?... Let's think about –
1. The Limitations of People
Surely, we can all agree right up front that people have limitations… Despite what the world shouts at you – you know that you are not God! You have limitations. You have inabilities, weaknesses, and shortcomings!... We are a finite lot!
What is true of us, was true of Israel! It has been true of all mankind since creation!
Let's think of at least three areas where we see human limitation in our text before us. First, the people of God were limited in their ability –
to understand
Notice something with me… God gives instructions – not explanations! With one exception, all that is communicated to the people, are instructions! The Lord has no obligation to explain Himself!
Let's look at the instructions given –
Joshua 3:1-4a
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it…
This is pure instruction! This command is clear, understandable, and detailed. The orders are succinct, and direct… And it is … enough – enough for the moment… These are simple instructions. It would be hard to not understand them…
Now, I said the Lord gives instructions – not explanations! But there is an exception in this text… There is one explanation to these instructions. It is found at the end of verse :4 –
Joshua 3:4b
Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go…"
The reason for staying so far back was to leave room – to leave enough room … to see! That way, they would " know the way by which … (to) go"... They needed to be able to see, and know, which way to go!... That is a very practical explanation. The people needed to be able to see where to go…
But there is a deeper explanation as well, do you it?... It's at the end of the verse –
Joshua 3:4b
Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
They are about to tread a path they have not followed! Their future is not only new – it is unfamiliar! The Lord is leading them into their future! They have "not passed this way before"!...
This speaks to the nature of faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight—
The main thing we need to understand, is that God is in control – He is good – and He has a plan, that is good!
Warren Wiersbe – "God didn't give Joshua explanations as to how He would accomplish these things, because God's people live on promises and not on explanations. When you trust God's promises and step out by faith…, you can be sure that the Lord will give you the directions you need when you need them."
At this point, the Lord gives them enough information! He gives no other detail – no more explanation! Why?... Perhaps there are many reasons – but one reason for certain is the limitation people have to understand!
God is not "talking down" people. He is not insulting people… As we will think about more later – God knows the limitations of people, and He gives His people … just what they need in the moment!
There is another limitation about people I think we can see in our text… There is more than a hint in their ability –
to trust
Now stay with me here… The ability for people to trust – to trust their leaders – to trust God … is a matter that has to be cultivated!... Let's look at verse :5 –
Joshua 3:5
Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
There are times when you have to "take yourself by the nap of the neck" and take yourself to the … altar!
The key word here is "consecrate"... another word for consecrate is "santify"... Set yourself apart!
This principle continues in the NT as well. Paul said –
Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
We too are to drag ourselves to the altar if necessary… We are to always be in the position of yieldedness and surrender.
In the context of Joshua 3, the instruction – the commandment – is "Get ready! God is about to do something!"
God is about to do something … that will teach you – that will help you – to trust God more readily – more quickly – more faithfully!
What follows are more instructions, some explanation, but all for the purpose of preparing the people to … trust! To trust God! To trust His will – His way – His leaders for His people!...
Let's read it quickly –
Joshua 3:6-11
6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
7 Now the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. 8 You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" 9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God." [Now come words of explanation] 10 Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.
It's hard for people to trust… God is teaching His people to trust…
There is another "limitation" within people that is being addressed here, and it is has to do with the inability –
to remember
Look at verse :12 –
Joshua 3:12
Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.
Why these 12?... We will actually learn this next week when we turn to the next chapter –
(Joshua 4:1-7)
As we will see next time, there will be 12 men, one from each tribe, who are to pick up a stone from the middle of the riverbed and carry it to the shore to erect a memorial… This memorial will be a constant reminder of what God did for His people on that day! Why the memorial – because people have the tendency to forget… We are limited in our ability to remember…
Another human limitation, is seen in their INability –
to accomplish
That is, their inability to accomplish in their own strength – what needed to be accomplished…
What follows is not some great human achievement! Getting 2 million people from one side of a swollen river to the other … on dry ground … is not something human ingenuity could accomplish on that day!... Humanity has its limitations, and God was not going to accomplish what needed to be accomplished that day through the common grace of human ingenuity – but through the direct, supernatural grace of a miracle!
Let's read it again –
Joshua 3:13-17
13 It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap."
14 So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), 16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
I like A.W. Pink's commentary on this –
A.W. Pink – "It was not an army of men only, but a vast congregation of men, women and children, to say nothing of their baggage and herds of animals, and further advance was blocked by the river. Whatever the breadth and depth of the Jordan in recent centuries or today, it is evident that it presented an impassable obstruction in Joshua's time--moreover, it was in flood at that particular season (Josh 3:15): and yet they were left to gaze upon it for three days, faced with the fact that they had no means for crossing it! Why? What was the Lord's objective in this? Was it not to impress Israel more deeply with a realisation of their own utter helplessness? Was it not to shut them up more completely unto Himself? And is not that, very often, the chief design of God's providential dealings with us? To bring us to the end of our own resources, to make us conscious of our own insufficiency, by bringing us into a situation from which we cannot extricate ourselves, confronting us with some obstacle which to human wit and might is insurmountable? ....For three days the congregation of Israel had been encamped before that river which barred their entrance into the land of promise, thus being obliged to take full stock of that formidable barrier and made fully conscious of their own helplessness."
I can't help but have Jesus' Words ring in my mind –
John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Now, we've talked a little bit about what could be overwhelming obstacles… But, what is there in the text that might speak to … fortified faith?... What is there in the text that should fortify / strengthen / build up our faith?... Let's think about –
2. The Realization of God
Our faith is fortified to the degree that we understand the truth of Who God is, and … to the degree of our rightful response to Him…
There are several truths about the Lord that we see in our text…
First, let's think about how –
The Lord retains His character
What hint do we have in Joshua 3 about this truth about God?...
If you write in your Bible, underline these words –
Joshua 3:3
and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
Joshua 3:6
And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
Joshua 3:8
You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, …
Joshua 3:11
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.
Joshua 3:14-15
14 So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water…
Joshua 3:17
And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord …
If I counted right, the ark of the covenant is referenced 11 times in these 17 verses!... If something is so significant as to be mentioned 11 times within a few verses, we should pay attention to it!...
What is special about the item?... Let's go back to when the Lord gave the instructions for the building of the Ark of the Covenant…
Exodus 25:120-22
10 "They shall construct an ark of acacia wood two and a half cubits long, [almost 4' long] and one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. [a little more than 2' wide and hight] 11 You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and you shall make a gold molding around it. 12 You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side of it and two rings on the other side of it. 13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark with them. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it. 16 You shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you.
17 "You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. 18 You shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the mercy seat. 21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony which I will give to you. 22 There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.
This emblem represented the presence of God among His people!... But, it also represents the truth of His holiness. He is separate from anything He created. He is merciful. Thus the "Seat of Mercy"... He is the "Keeper of His covenants" / "the testimony"...
This is the same Lord Who is leading His children into the land He had covenanted to give them!...
God is great… God is good! And He is good in all that He does!... That generation of believers … and this generation of believers … have the Same God!... He is the One and Only, and He is good!
God is the same today, as He was then. He can be counted on to be Who He is – which is good, faithful, and true!... God is, and has always been … good! God is, and has always been true… And God is, and has always been faithful – faithful to do that which is good, and true…
I came across Paul Tripp's devotion based on this chapter, and want to share a thought with you that he brings up… Listen to this carefully –
Paul Tripp – "You can't judge the goodness of God by your little interpretation of your present experience because perhaps in that very difficult thing, God is doing something awesome, something you could never earn, you could never deserve, you can never achieve on your own. If you're God's child, you know, 'God gives, you get.' That's the grace of the gospel!"
The gospel is all about the mercy of God toward His own. It is all about the justice of God against their sin!... Jesus absorbed the justice of God, in order to bestow the mercy of God!...
Let's keep in mind that this Lord – this One and Only Lord – is the same as He has always been! He does not change!
Psalm 102:27
"But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.
This truth is specifically said about Jesus!
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
The Lord not only "retains His character", we also see in our text that –
The Lord demonstrates His power
Let's do a quick perusal. Look at –
Joshua 3:5
Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
Joshua 3:7
Now the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
Joshua 3:8
You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
Jump to verse :13 –
Joshua 3:13
It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap."
Joshua 3:16-17
16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
The power of God is all through this chapter!... We are seeing, what the psalmist later wrote –
Psalm 86:10
For You are great and do wondrous deeds;
You alone are God.
We also see in this chapter how –
The Lord assures His presence
Look with me to verse :7 –
Joshua 3:7
Now the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
Look at the words "been with". Just as the Lord was with Moses, He will be with Joshua!... It means more than the commitment of His presence, but it means no less than His presence… And get this… His presence is … enough!
Look at verse :9, and let's see what Joshua said to the people!
Joshua 3:9-10a
9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God." 10 Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you…
The Lord … among His people … is exactly what His people needed then, and what His people need now!...
There is at least one more truth about the Lord – that should fortify your faith – that we see in our text… It is the truth in how –
The Lord reveals His purpose
We don't always see the purpose(s) of God in His actions, but there are times when it is staring us in the face… Look at verse :10 –
Joshua 3:10
Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
A major "purpose" of God revealed throughout the book of Joshua, is not only the giving of this land to His people… but it is the … justice of God against some particularly evil people! This disposing of the "Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite" is the justice of God against enemies of God… We will see this further as we continue through the book…
But, the main purpose behind all He does in the book of Joshua, is to fulfill His promise to give this land to His people!... This purpose was stated long before these events unfolded… Listen to the words of Moses back in –
Deuteronomy 6:23
He brought us out from there [out of Egypt] in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers.'
God is committed to carrying out His promise! His purpose is for His glory, the good of His people, and the judgement against those who mock Him!...
I like the summary statement made by the professor –
Donald K. Campbell – "In the crossing of the Jordan River at flood stage by a nation some two million strong, God was glorified, Joshµa was exalted, and Israel was encouraged. But the Canaanites were terrorized."
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- How far is 2000 cubits?
- Why is it important to try and identify "principles" in a text?
- The title of the message was "Fortified Faith & Overwhelming Obstacles"... What are the "obstacles" we might identify in this chapter? (The river, unfamiliar territory, "limitations", etc.)
- What "limitations" that are true about people were highlighted in the message? What other "limitations" do you see in the text?
- What does it mean to "consecrate" one's self? (verse 5)
- What truths about the Lord are seen in the text that should "fortify our faith"? Which truth highlighted in the message helps you most today?
- What do we learn that we can apply to our lives today?
