“...Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan.” (Joshua 3:10-11)
The ark of covenant is mentioned numerous times in Joshua 3. If i count correctly, it is mentioned 8 times in Joshua 3. The ark of covenant is indeed the central point in this passage. The ark of covenant was first mentioned in Exodus 25 - The ark was a symbol of God’s representation.
Here in Joshua 3, Israelites are about to cross the jordan river, but how? It was the harvest time of the season (Look on Joshua 3:15 esv) that because of the spring rains, the river was swollen and overflowing its banks. Now if we were Israelites, We probably want the river to be dry before we even make a step; but God was truly calling Israel to step out in faith. They key verse on this passage i think is on the verse 10 and 11 above. The ark of the covenant which signifies God’s presence again is the central to this passage. Remember what God has said in Joshua 1:9? that He said to Joshua to be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed. Why? because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Now, in Joshua 3, God proves that He is really there with the Israelites. Though there is an obstacle before their eyes, this passage suggest to focus our attention to God, as He will lead the way. The passage wants to tell us to see that He is the living God, and God is always present in our day to day lives.
Joshua instructs the people to watch the ark, to see where it goes, and to follow it. "Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before" (Joshua 3:3-4a). Also notice that there is a sense of awe and holiness about the ark “But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.” The lesson for us here is that God’s presence will leads us and our task is to follow His leading - “Behold the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you” and you have to follow Him. God’s presence proves that He is a living God; through all the situation that we have, even the worst that we may face, God is present. We are asked to see what’s God is doing, and follow Him in it. Too often, we walk or run on ahead instead of being a follower. Right now, are we following Him or off on our own ways? The story here reminds us to pause and move when God is prompting us to where He leads us. Jesus, often retreat Himself from the crowds to spend time with His Father and pray to His Father.
Prayer draws us closer to Him, and strengthen our faith. In any time, lets always take a moment to pray asking God to give us guidance, asking Him to open our eyes to see Him walking before us, and strengthen us to follow His leading. Nothing is impossible just as God has led Israel through the impossible (crossing the Jordan river), the same God will leads us through our jordan. Behold, God is the LORD of all the earth, and He is passing before you!
~ Paul Hartono
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