Crossing Jordan

“Now, therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” Joshua 1:2

Dear Ones:

There came a day, a moment, when the command came.  It would be the vital and critical moment in Israel’s history, when their Creator and Redeemer, commanded them to cross the river Jordan.  Passing through the Red Sea, the nation had escaped the slavery and oppression of Egypt.  Now had come the moment when all point of reference to Egypt was to be left behind, never to be remembered or referred to as a basis or reason for living.  They were to henceforth belong to the Lord, sanctified, set apart unto Him for His blessed promises to be realized in the place of His choosing.  However, like the passage through the Red Sea, the passage through Jordan, would of necessity be possible only by a Divine act, and intervention.  Scripture tells us that at that time of year, the waters of the Jordan over-flowed its banks.  There was no bridge, no barge, no means of getting to the other side.  They had only a commandment and a promise.  What would be required of them would be obedient faith in the faithfulness of God according to His word.  Hence, the call came forth for the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to enter the waters, and stand there until the whole host of Israel rapidly passed to the other side.  This they did…and the waters stopped flowing, and the people walked across on dry ground.  What is the significance of this crossing to us today, where we live?

The first thing to note is that both the Red Sea and the Jordan were points of no return.  Though some in the nation of Israel would look back to Egypt, and would suffer the consequences of embracing again the gods of Egypt, the Red Sea remained a point where they could not go back.  God would NOT open it up for them to return.  Sadly, though they had come out of Egypt, Egypt still remained in some measure in their hearts and minds.  Why?  Simply put, because they did not embrace God and His word with all of their hearts.  Their point of reference for life was divided.  With regard to the Jordan, there would not only be the passage to the land of promise, but the removal in mind and heart of all that was of Egypt.  Before the conquest of Canaan, the Lord told Joshua to circumcise all the men who were not circumcised in the wilderness.  Why?  To symbolize that they belonged to God, but also, to remove the “reproach of Egypt.”  No longer would Egypt, with its godlessness, its worldliness, be the point of reference for life, nor determine the worth of life.  Christ would become the Rock, and His eternal word the absolute rule of life.   This is why the Lord would tell Joshua that, amid all of his responsibilities, he was to “…meditate therein (the law) day and night…,” to DO all that which was written therein.  Egypt would be replaced by faith in the true and living God, and this by being absorbed in His word, living to obey Him according to it.

The second thing to note about this passage at the Jordan, is that it is a new beginning…totally new.  It is a door into a knowledge of God, and the victory of Christ.  The Lord’s words to Joshua with regard to this victorious life, in the land of promise, deal with all of their enemies, and God’s constant and entire provision.  All is based upon one simple declaration by God:  “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Joshua 1:5)

Dear Father, enable us to see that this salvation to which You have called us is one that is “set in heaven.”  It is a work of God, with Thy call to us to believe, to follow, and not look back.  We thank Thee that You have called us to victory, a victory over the enemy of our souls, and this world.  Give us to know this strength and courage that you commanded Joshua to have, in order to live this life of being “more than conquerors.”  We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love, Dad