This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for January 18
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Leaders come and go. The inauguration of a new president is significant to all United States citizens. Ancient Israel marked an even more important transition when Joshua took over after Moses. God told him, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites” (Joshua 1:2). He added, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (v. 5).

Last week we saw Joshua send two spies to check out the promised land. With the assistance of Rahab, the spies returned, reporting the fear and despondency of the Canaanites. It was time to move forward! Many consider this crossing of the Jordan as important a milestone for the Hebrew people as crossing the Red Sea some 40 years before. Both marked a dividing line between the past and the future.

People/Joshua 3:1-5

Verse 1-3. 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, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.” The final preparation made sure that the army was ready to fight the Canaanites—and that the people were committed to follow the Lord in everything. The Levite priests had been given special responsibility for the ark of the covenant, since it represented the presence of God.

Verse 4. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.” It was important that the people show proper respect to the Lord. The ark led the way. By following faithfully even though they did not know what lay ahead, the people demonstrated their trust in God.

Verse 5. Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” When the children of Israel were at Mount Sinai, they went through a time of cleansing (Exodus 19:10-15). At this significant moment, the Lord called for similar action. The people committed themselves to follow their new leader, Joshua, as he revealed God’s will to them.

Priests/Joshua 3:6-8

Verse 6. Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them. The leaders responded quickly and obediently to the Lord’s commands. The ark—a large wooden chest kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle—represented God’s presence. It demonstrated that he was going before them as they occupied the promised land.

Verse 7. 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.” God had miraculously confirmed the leadership of Moses (Exodus 14:31); Joshua’s leadership would now be verified in similar fashion. The name “Joshua” means “Jehovah is salvation.” God used him to bring salvation to his people.

Verse 8. “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.’” W. W. Winter observed, “It took a great deal of faith for these men to step into the swirling waters of the flooded river, but their faith was rewarded by a miraculous intervention on the part of the triune God.”

Promises/Joshua 3:9-13

Verses 9, 10. “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites.” The fact that God was with them would be clearly demonstrated. The seven ethnic groups that occupied Canaan would know for certain that they were being dispossessed by the invading Israelites.

Verse 11. “See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.” The pagan Canaanites believed the water god was powerful—but this would prove that the one true God has power over all the waters of the world.

Verse 12. “Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.” The reason for their selection would soon become apparent. One representative from each tribe was to select a stone from the riverbed and carry it to the other side. In this way, every tribe would be included in the memorial to be erected, affirming Israel’s unity as they entered the land.

Verse 13. “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.” Nearly 20 miles upstream, the Jordan was stopped and the water was piled up in a giant heap (see Joshua 3:15-17). The priests stood on dry ground as the people passed over into the promised land. “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses” (4:14). |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.