Joshua 3:1-13

It is important for each of us to remember that God is interested in every aspect of the lives of those who place their trust in him. It might be difficult for us to understand the fact that God is all-knowing.

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…" Isaiah 46:9, 10. We must place our trust in the one who is in control of all areas of our lives. We might not always understand the process.

We are first introduced to the man, Joshua, after the water came forth from the rock. Exodus 17:5, 6. This young man was given an assignment. "And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand." Exodus 17:9. We are told that "Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." Exodus 17:13.

When Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments in written form, Joshua accompanied him. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God." Exodus 24:12, 13.

After the completion of the tabernacle, Moses entered into this sacred place, "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not from out of the tabernacle." Exodus 33:11. This fact give us an indication of the personal dedication that this young man was wiling to show to God.

When the group reached the border of the promised land, Moses sent 12 spies to give an assessment of the country that had been promised. Genesis 15:16, 18-21. This group was made up of one representative of each of the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Ephraim was represented by Joshua. Numbers 13:8. Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, attempted to turn the thoughts of the congregation from the faithless report to a dependence upon the greatness of God. Numbers 13:30. However, he was not successful. God declared, "Your carcasses, shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to the whole number, from 20 years old and upward…save Caleb…and Joshua…" Numbers 14:29, 30. This declaration resulted in their 40 years of wilderness travels.

Moses had commissioned Joshua as his successor. Deuteronomy 31:7, 8. After the death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:1-8), we are told that "Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him (Numbers 27:18, 23): and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses." Deuteronomy 34:9.

Obviously, time marches onward. This man, Joshua, who had been the understudy of Moses, could no longer depend upon his mentor. "…The Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead…" Joshua 1:1b, 2a. Time for personal action had come — "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 1:2b, c. This directive included the information regarding the borders of the promise. Joshua 1:4.

However, the promise of military success (Joshua 1:5-7) included a directive concerning the information that was to overshadow any military plan. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt thou have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8, 9.

With divine assurance, Joshua sent two spies to the city of Jericho. Joshua 2:1-14. When these men returned, it was time for action. It was necessary for the chosen nation to cross the Jordan River. The task seemed impossible, since the river was at flood stage. Joshua 4:18c. However, the crossing would not be accomplished by, simply, using human means. God used a miracle to accomplish this move.

After the people had made their personal prescribed preparations (Joshua 3:5), time came to move on out. However, the priests, bearing the ark of the covenant, were to lead the way. Joshua 3:15, 17. "The waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city of Adam…and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho." Joshua 3:16.

Great events in history tend to fade from memory, as new situations arise. It becomes important that we do not allow the significance of some of these historical milestones to be lost in our clamor with the problems of the present. Joshua devised a plan to keep this memory alive. Leaders from each of the 12 tribes were instructed to get one of the river rocks from the Jordan River, and make a rock pile memorial on the promised land bank of the river. Joshua 4:1- 6. Joshua knew that there would be inquiring minds in the following generations. These young ones would need an explanation of the power of God. Joshua 4:6, 7. Can you give your children an explanation of your faith in God? 1 Peter 3:15. Our children need to know.