Victory from defeat

 Christ in all the scriptures

Turning tragedy into triumph  Joshua chapter 8

"Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ...2nd Cor. 2v13

The cry of the world is "Peace, Peace, when there is no peace"-Jeremiah 6v14 and 8v11.  Isaiah penned "There is no peace saith my God to the wicked (lawless).  As long as mankind continues in rebellion against God there will be no peace.  There will be conflict on this earth until the Prince of Peace rules this world-Isaiah 9v6/7.

The chapter is about conflict, physical conflict to obtain possession of the promised land.  In the application of this today, the conflict is spiritual (though no less real) against forces of evil which are contrary to us, and which can rob us of our spiritual inheritance.  We are not called upon today to occupy land territory, and war against our fellow man.  Jesus said to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world, else would my servants fight"-John 18v36.  Contrary to the teaching of some, today, the Church is not called to overcome the world, physically, politically, or geographically.  We are not of this world, and our conflict is not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2nd Cor. 10v3/5).   Mankind is not our enemy, our enemies are much more powerful: namely, Eph. 6v10-13 demons above us, "principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual powers of wickedness in heavenly places; Galatians 5v17 the flesh within us "the flesh and the Spirit are contrary the one to the other";  1st John 2v15 the world around us "Love not the world neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him".  These are our enemies, and this is our conflict today, and will continue until the end of life. 

However there are abiding principles from which we can learn, and triumph, as Israel did, in the power of the Lord.  How did they turn defeat into victory?

1)   They proceeded on the guarantee of victory from the Lord

"See, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land"-Joshua 8v1.  

This is a repeat of the guarantee of the Lord prior to the taking of Jericho in Joshua 6v2.  Israel were not able of themselves to overcome but with the Lord's presence and power with them.  In another place it is written, "The battle is the Lord's"-1st Samuel 17v47; the full quotation is from v46,

"...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you (the enemies) into our hands".

He requires us to put away evil from among us, so that His unfettered power will prevail.  In the life of faith in God, we are overcomers when we honour Him.  The New Testament confirms this as follows:

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us"-Romans 8v37

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world"-1st Peter 5v8/9.

""Thou, therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"-2nd Timothy 2v2.

In the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2/3, the call is for overcomers, both collectively and individually.  When our ways please the Lord, as it was with Israel, so with us, the success is guaranteed.  It is not a matter of spiritual "jingoism", as is the way of some.  It is the way of humble submission to the Lord, by honouring Him in our lives.

2)  God and man working in harmony is the way to overcome

The Lord being with us does not involve the discarding of either brawn or brain in the conflict.  This much is clear from the chapter before us.  Israel had suffered embarrassing defeat to Ai, being scattered on the battlefield, and losing 36 men of their elite troops in chapter 7.   Loose talk, like "Let go and let God" is not helpful, as God expects us to use our strength and ingenuity in the battle.  He will only do for us what we cannot do ourselves.  This much is illustrated throughout the bible with endless examples.  It is the combination of our commitment and His covenant that wins the day.  Israel turned defeat into victory, and we can do the same.  There is not one of us without some kind of failure in spiritual life, and with courage and resolve we can overcome to the glory of God.

Philippians 2v12/13, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure".

Psalm 85v11, "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven".

1st John 4v4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world".

Israel troubled

 Christ in all the scriptures

The valley of Achor   Joshua chapter 7

This is one of the most heart wrenching bible stories in the bible, and is relevant for the present day.  Believers, churches, need to take note, that one of of their members sinned against the Lord and affected the whole congregation.  This led to abject defeat in battle, and the anger of the Lord being kindled against them.  All sin is hateful and hurtful to God, it is particularly so when it happens amongst His redeemed people.  It took place in the wake of the demonstration of the great power of God unleashed over Jericho.

The matter seemed harmless, the possession of a religious garment and a few shekels of silver and a wedge of gold, taken as the spoils of war.  But what seemed harmless was anathema to the Lord who specifically demanded the burning of all in Jericho, and the transfer of all silver and gold to the Divine treasury for the common good.  This is reminiscent of Eden, when the simple eating of the fruit of a tree was magnified, as it was in disobedience to the Lord.  The disobedience of Eve, then Adam, brought the judgment of God on the world, resulting in the present chaos.  So opposed to the idolatry of Jericho was the Lord, He wanted no trace of it left.  This sin, unknown to the congregation at large, was known to the Lord, and this led to abject defeat against AI, for the Lord withdrew His support.  AI means "heap of ruins", and so the might of Israel was embarrassed against an unruly and untrained people.  God's people fail when sin in the camp is unexposed.  The victory over fortified Jericho was quickly followed by defeat to the haphazard AI.  The strength of feeling was expressed by Joshua, "Oh, Lord, what shall I say when Israel turneth their back before their enemies"?

We must learn from this today, this is a solemn and sobering event.

1)  The sin of one member affects the whole company.      God will withhold His power from us because of it.  The New Testament equivalent is 1st Corinthians chapter 5.

2) The Lord demands action from the leaders rather than ritual posturing  refer Joshua 7v6-10, "Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face"?  The modern way is to cover it up rather than expose it-is this the reason for our weakness?  God says, Don't hide from this, deal with it.

3)  The Lord associates the whole company with the sin  

"Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.  Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you"-Joshua 7v11-12.  The word dissembled, rarely used in scripture, seems to suggest that more in the camp knew about it but had covered it up.

4) In association with Himself, God will have His people to be holy    

"Up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee. O Israel, thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you"-Joshua 7v13.  Modern applications would be that if there exists a matter unacceptable to the Lord it must be investigated.

5)  The offending individual or party must be exposed before the whole congregation  Joshua 7v14-15.

6) Confession of the sin must be made in full by the person or persons concerned  Joshua 7v16-21.  This was done by Achan the son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, as to what he had done, and why he had done it.  Messengers were sent to recover the offending items.  They were taken, along with Achan and all his people and possessions to the remote valley of Achor, where they were stoned, and a memorial was raised to the folly of individuals or family who corrupt the congregation of the Lord.  Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 3v17, "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are".

7) Judgment must take place for the offending sin  Joshua 7v22-25

The whole camp and the leaders are in agreement that the punishment of law must be enacted.  This affected Achan's family and all his possessions.  All perished in the fearsome judgment.

If we are part of a community of God's people, this sad episode should humble us today.  Instead of covering up, or excusing, behaviour that is offensive to the Lord, what is needed is exposure and judgment of sin in accordance with New Testament guidelines.  The Lord cannot work with communities which turn a blind eye to sin.  The entire company is affected, and powerlessness and loss of blessing will result.  Spiritual leaders today be warned, God's attitude to sin will never change.  The memorial stones at the valley of Achor serve as a testimony to the Lord's displeasure with His people.

This is mentioned centuries later by the prophet Hosea, in a time when Israel had gone astray yet again, by turning to idolatry.  Appeal is made for them to repent and return to the Lord, as the compassion of a sin-hating God rings out in endearing fashion, "Therefore, behold I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.  And I will give her vineyards from thence, AND THE VALLEY OF ACHOR FOR A DOOR OF HOPE: and she shall sing there as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt"-Hosea 2v14/15.

The valley of Achor was a tragedy for Israel that they should never forget.  But a return there in humble repentance can open a door of hope for the future.  Failure amongst God's people is a common occurrence, but it need not be an end.  We can turn it to triumph, with the help of the Lord.  As scripture says:

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy"-Proverbs 28v13.

Achan confessed, but was stoned, because he was under Divine law.  In the present day of grace there is no such punishment.  Sin, amongst His people, remains hurtful to God, and alternative punishments are given, and there should be no compromise with it.  The coming of Christ into the world has made such a difference, for we are no longer under law but under grace.  We should not, however, relax our view of sin, nor fail to apply Divine standards as revealed in this chapter.  God has many ways of sanctioning His people in the case of severe sin.  We need strong leaders, loyal to the Lord, to maintain sanctity in His service.

The battle of Jericho

 Christ in all the scriptures

Jericho   Joshua chapter 6

There is no doubt the narrative of the destruction of Jericho has much wider, prophetic implications.  Jericho is Yarikh in Hebrew, the name of a lunar deity who was worshipped by most in the city.  Jericho, therefore was a city of gross idolatry, and the immorality and debauchery involved in that.  900years before God had cursed Canaan, and 400 years before, He declared a time of restraint.  That time was now fulfilled, in the language of scripture-"the iniquity of the Amorite was now full"-refer Genesis 15v16-21.  The tribes included in the title Amorites were stated as "The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites".  All these were under the judgment of God, and Jericho stood at their entrance.  It was a strongly fortified city, idolatrous, immoral, and hostile to Israel.  The gates and doors were closed, there was no comings and goings between the two.  Jericho stands as an illustration of the world without the true God.  The present world is a fortified system, hostile to God, and fearful of the people of God who threaten their lifestyle.  The present world is "kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men"-2nd Peter 3v7.  God is "longsuffering, not willing that any should perish", and He has demonstrated that He is "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful, and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children unto the third and to the fourth generation"-Exodus 34v6/7.   He is slow to anger, He is merciful to all, but when people continue in rejection of Him, He must, and will act.  He was merciful to the Amorites for 400 years; He has been merciful to the present age for nigh on 2000 years.  For Jericho the time was now past; for the present world that time is almost upon us.  The destruction of Jericho was total, apart from faithful Rahab and her family; the destruction of the entire world will be total, apart from the faithful in Christ Jesus.

The six days in the story take us back to creation, and the seventh day to the new creation.  The six days are the days of our lives here on earth; the seventh day is the day of eternal rest.  The "New Testament Joshua" will lead the armies of the Lord against the rebellion of man.  Just as there was no battle in Jericho, there will be no battle in the end times, when heaven opens to reveal the Commander of the armies of heaven (Revelation 19).  The day of God will come, in which there is "a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness"-2nd Peter 3v13.  A world without sin, transgression, or rebellion; a world in harmony with the Lord God, and with each other.  

Jericho, and its idolatrous and immoral ways will be no more.  The trumpet blasts of the priesthood on the seventh day alongside the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of Christ in His death), and the victorious shout of the people of God in victory, collapsed the fortified walls of Jericho and the armies walked in and took control.  The victory shout of the people of God is repeated in the New Testament (Romans 8v37 and 1st Corinthians 15v54-57.

For six days they marched in silence around the walls of Jericho, no attack was made, just a testimony to their faith in the living God.  This is the role of the Church today, make the hostile world aware of our stand.  On the seventh day the walls fell-scholars tell us that this meant that the walls fell into the ground as in an earth tremor, and they entered Jericho on the flat.  This miraculous invasion of Jericho will be repeated on a global scale when Christ comes; then every building on earth that had been used to promote anti-God truths will be ground to powder (Isaiah 28v17; Revelation 16v18-21).  There will be an earth tremor under every city on earth.

The chapter ends with the delightful story of Rahab and her family.  Picture the scene.  Israel, with the help of the Lord, overrun Jericho, finishing the idolatrous worship of the moon, and its inhabitants perish.  However the Gentile Rahab and all her family were saved, and theirs were the only part of the wall which did not fall.  This was not the convenience of the moment, it was a lifelong and beyond commitment: 

"And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho"-Joshua 6v25.

She is a picture of the Gentile Church which was grafted in to the good olive tree of Israel (Romans 11v17) to be part of the people of God forever.  Centuries later Rahab appears in the genealogy leading to Christ (Matthew 1v5).  We Gentiles today are very much part of the new creation, as it says in Romans 11v16, "If the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy, and if the root be holy, so are the branches".  We are both (Jew and Gentile) in unbreakable union with Christ (Romans 11v25-32). 

It is a story of tragedy and triumph, and so is the story of the world.

The unnamed warrior

 Christ in all the scriptures

Are you with us??   Joshua 5v13-15

Joshua chapter 6 is the historical drama of the battle of Jericho.  We shall see that no other conflict is like it in the annals of military history.  Little wonder, then, it is prefaced by a pre-incarnate Divine appearance.  There is no doubt that the unnamed man with the drawn sword is none other than Christ Himself.  We know that for He accepted worship from Joshua (v14/15), and no angel accepts worship (refer Revelation 22v8/9-all in heaven know that God alone is worshipped).  The Lord appeared in person to Joshua before his greatest battle.

"And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our enemies?  And He said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, What saith my lord (the word is adon meaning sovereign lord and master) unto His servant?  And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from of thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.  And Joshua did so". 

Joshua knew this was the Lord in human form.  This is one of many such appearances of our Lord before He came as the babe of Bethlehem, and the Man of Calvary.  He came with sword drawn, and this places the narrative beyond the historical into the eschatological, for the bible ends with Him coming in battle mode (Revelation 19).  Brothers and sisters, this catapults the battle of Jericho into the last days when Christ will come to take the world for God.  We will find comparisons and contrasts, and the story applies way beyond the taking of Jericho.  There are a number of pre-incarnate appearances, which run from Genesis to the prophecy of Zechariah, which we can now consider.  They are called Christophanies, and are temporary manifestations of Christ before He came in flesh.

1) To Hagar as the Angel of the Lord to comfort her in her exile from the family, and to predict the future for her and her seed- Genesis 16v7-16.  Her understanding of it was in the proclamation, "Thou God seest me"

2) To Abram and Sarah in human form, with two angels also in human form, at the plain of Mamre.  He revealed the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which the two angels would enact-Genesis 18/19.  It was the Lord who appeared but seen as a man.  No less than 12 times in chapter 18, the title Lord occurs.

3) To Jacob at Peniel, when an unidentified man wrestled with him after separating from Esau.  Jacob's take on this was "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved"-Genesis 32v24-30.

4) To Moses at the burning bush, as the Angel of the Lord--"Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look upon God"-Exodus 3.  He revealed Himself as the great "I AM" who would deliver Israel.

5) To Joshua on the borders of Jericho, as he was preparing for battle.  He appeared as an unnamed man, later identified as "Captain of the host of the Lord"-Joshua 5v13/15.

6) To Gideon as the Angel of the Lord, immediately prior to the conflict with the Midianites, over whom they were assured of victory-Judges 6v7-40.

7) To Manoah's wife as the angel of the Lord to predict the birth of Samson who would free Israel from Philistine bondage-Judges 13.

8) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as the fourth man in the burning fiery furnace, where the flames did not touch them.  This was at a crucial time for exiled Israel, and the fourth man was said to be "like unto the Son of God"-Daniel 3v13-30.

9) To Daniel as the Angel of God to preserve him from certain death in the lion's den-Daniel 6v10-28.

10) To Joshua the high priest as the Angel of the Lord confronting and rebuking Satan in the temple of worship-Zechariah 3.

Over approx. 1,400 years, the Lord appeared in person to many people in difficult circumstances, spanning the course of Israel's history.  The particular appearance to Joshua, the military commander, on the verge of the battle of Jericho, makes fascinating reading.  Not knowing who the man was, Joshua asked, Are you with us or with our enemies?  The answer, "Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come".  This turned the dialogue full circle.  It was as if to say, if you knew who I was, I should be asking you Are you with me?  On the cusp of a major battle Joshua is learning that without the Lord's presence, all actions will fail.  He would learn that in a short time when they moved without the Lord they were defeated (chapter 7v1-6).  The reason was there was sin in the camp and the Lord will not work with them.  He is holy and requires the same from His people.  

We know, today, that God is with us: the real question is, Are we with Him?  He is the captain of the host of the Lord and He requires humility and holiness if we are to be overcomers in a corrupt world.  He is Lord, and must be seen to be Lord.  We do well to ask if our practises conform to the Lordship of Christ, or if in reality He is Lord in name only.

Preparation for conquest

 Christ in all the scriptures

Gilgal   Joshua chapter 5

"And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.  Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day"-Joshua 5v8.

This is a pivotal time in Israel's history.  Gilgal became synonymous with repentance, refreshment, and revival.   The name means "rolling" or "rolling away", possibly a reference to the circle of stones from the Jordan, representing all the tribes of Israel, set as a monument to the power and presence of God among them.  This marks Gilgal as a new beginning for the nation as they entered the promised land.  The reproach of Egypt, having been slaves for four centuries, followed by aimless wandering for forty years, must have weighed very heavily on the people, but now it is in the past, and their future is the promised land. 

They had the fear factor to their credit, because the sight of several million over their border, particularly after the demonstrations of Divine power, instilled the fear of God in the inhabitants.  However they did not proceed. immediately,  with the invasion for they were not quite ready.  The chapter is all about preparation of heart before they proceed.  Three whole days they were made to wait, while there were flaws in the camp that needed correction.  A modern day comparison would be that before engaging a gospel campaign, for which Divine power is indispensable, we should deal with internal problems that exist.  There is no point in going forward when the Lord is not with us us in the exercise, for He is holy, and requires His warriors to be also.

The chapter divides readily into three sections, dealing with the deficiencies in their midst.

1)  The covenant of circumcision Joshua 5v2-9

2)  The celebration of the Passover  Joshua 5v10-12

4)  The commander of the Lord's armies  Joshua 5v13-15

The covenant of circumcision   5v2-9   The generation which came out of Egypt had all passed on in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb.  It seems clear that the rite of circumcision had been abandoned in the wilderness, whether because of living conditions, or of rebellion, or both.  The second generation were uncircumcised, and according to the covenant with Abraham was a necessary part of their relationship with God (Genesis 17v9-12.  For forty years this had not been done, and must now be rectified if the Lord would go with them.  It seems absurd that an army facing the challenges of war would be asked to be so incapacitated, but they had to learn dependence on the Lord and not in their own power. Many struggle, today with the spiritual meaning of circumcision, but it is simply the cutting off of the flesh, symbolising the casting off of the works of sinful flesh as defined in Galatians 5v19-21.  It is important we understand that our faith in God demands a removal of these tendencies if we are to serve Him.  A study of each facet of what we are in the flesh, and a removal of those features that apply to us, would answer to biblical circumcision.

The celebration of the Passover  5v10-12   This was the first celebration of the Passover in the promised land.  It took place before they engaged in warfare, thus prioritising worship as the primary function of their existence.  Every tear, on the 14th day of the month Nisan they were to keep the memorial feast, recalling the slaying of the Lamb, and the application of the blood to avoid the vengeance of God against human sin.  This was followed by the eating of unleavened cakes, made from the old corn of the land, thus uniting Israel with the land in fellowship with the Lord.  The Manna, which had been their staple desert food for 40 years was now ceased and they fed on the good corn of the land.  Associated with the Passover was the eating of unleavened bread, in this case unleavened cakes.  In modern language, Christ did not die for our sins on the cross to enable us to continue in sin.  The application is made in 1st Corinthians 5v7/8 

"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth".

Observance of our memorial occasions should have a moral effect on us.

The commander of the Lord of hosts  5v13-15    This pre-incarnate appearance of Christ to the commander of Israel's armies was crucial to their success.  Great military commander that he was (and Joshua had proved his military prowess against Amalek when Moses appointed him as commander-Exodus 17v8/16), yet he had to learn who it was who controlled the Divine conquests, without whom every one would fail.  Not knowing who He was, Joshua asked the wrong question, but he quickly realised he was in the presence of Divine majesty.  With a drawn sword in His hand, the Divine visitor revealed that He was "the captain of the host of the Lord".  Only one person could claim to be that and He controlled the armies of heaven.

When Jesus was on earth, He proclaimed that He had at His disposal "12 legions of angels"-(Matthew 26v53).  These were myriads of angels ready for war in the cause of God.  In Revelation 19v11-15, when He returns to earth, He commands the armies of heaven and appears with a drawn sword, He is ready for war in a time yet to come.  Joshua had to learn, as we have to learn, that all conquest is futile without the Captain of the army being present.  Joshua bowed his head and his heart in reverent worship, as we should do, acknowledging that any victory is because of Him!  Hr has already stripped the demonic powers at Calvary (Colossians 2v15);  He is the "captain of our salvation leading us to glory".  It was necessary for Joshua to understand His Lordship in principle and practice.  It is also necessary for us to know who is Lord if we are to be overcomers for Him.

Divinely inspired memorials

 Christ in all the scriptures

Memorials    Joshua chapter 4

Great historical events call for tangible and visible memorials.  Passing on experience to rising generations is of paramount importance.   The bible calls them "Ancient Landmarks" which are not to be removed.  Many such memorials were raised in connection with God's dealings with Israel.  Such a memorial was set up at the crossing of Jordan.  We can, profitably, mark the historical memorials of the bible:

1)  God's covenant with Noah and every living creature on earth, by the rainbow in the cloud, guaranteeing that there will be no more flood to destroy the earth- Genesis 9v8-17. 

2)  The day of the Passover in Egypt, an event never to be forgotten, and remembered each year on the same day   Exodus 12v14-17.

3) The altar named Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our banner) to commemorate victory over Amalek, with whom the Lord will have war in every generation-Exodus 17v14-16.  This was written n a book to be rehearsed in the ears of Joshua and all the people.

4)  The annual collection of the "atonement money", gathered each year for the maintenance of the priesthood and Levitical service-Exodus 30v11-16.

5)  The Holy feast day of the memorial of the blowing of trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month each year-Leviticus 23v24/25.  This was the start of the Jewish new (civil year).  It was also a commemoration of their journey from Egypt to the promised land.

6)  The spoils of war collected and held in the tabernacle of the congregation as a memorial for the children of Israel of their conquests-Numbers 31v54.

7) The crossing of the Jordan was marked by the erection of twelve large stones, representing the twelve tribes-Joshua 4vv1-10.  These stones were set up at Gilgal for a remembrance, where the story of the miraculous crossing of Jordan would be repeated in all generations.  Joshua also erected 12 stones in the midst of Jordan, which would become visible when the river was low. 

So important was the establishment of the nation in their God given land that each stage was set as a memorial for all generations.

In the New Testament, there is one divinely instituted memorial, which is observed by Christian believers today.  

It was instituted by the Lord, Luke 22v19-20, "And He took bread, and gave thanks , and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood which is shed for you."  Refer also Matthew 26v26-29 and Mark 14v22-25

It was practised by the early Church, Acts 2v42, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."  Note the repetition of "in the" in the original, therefore referring to an official gathering for a set purpose; making it read, "in the apostle's doctrine, in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers".  This distinguishes it from Acts 2v46 where it simply means having a meal together.  Refer also Acts 20v7, the gathering at Troas, 

"And upon the first (day is omitted in the original) of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow...".  

This corresponds to the morn of the resurrection (Matthew 28v1; Mark 16v2; Luke 24v1; John 20v1 and v19.  It is referred to in 1st Corinthians 16v2 as a regular weekly gathering when they came together.  As well as the breaking of bread, they were to give their contributions to the work on the same occasion.

It was taught  in the epistles  1st Corinthians 10v16-17, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?  The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread".  

The practice was local, but Paul expands it to global, for the same memorial is enacted worldwide.  In 1st Corinthians 11v23/25, He establishes the principle that is to take place without sectarian division,

"For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me".  

This sacred memorial, which has been practised nigh on 2000 years, is described as "The Lord's Supper (11v20).  It is the most sacred occasion when Christians across the world meet on the first of every week, to commemorate the Lord's death, and resurrection on our behalf.

In Israel, what commenced as a Divine Institution, degenerated into a ritual run by humans. The sacred worship of the one true God, became occasions for idolatrous behaviour.  Refer Job 13v12; Isaiah 1v10-15; 57v8.  Jesus, quoting Isaiah 29, said to the hypocrite Pharisees, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"-Matthew 15v8/9.  In like manner, a sacred Divine institution has degenerated to a man made fellowship.  This is evident by sectarian practices that refuse fellowship to the Lord's people.  The memorial is for all God's people, not only those who are in our particular branch of the Church.  When Joshua instituted the memorial stones at the crossing of Jordan, there was one stone for each of the twelve tribes.  In like manner, as we have already quoted Paul said, "There is one bread and one body, and we are all partakers of that one bread".  The late Harry Lacey, author of the book, "God and the nations", posted in the Precious Seed magazine (1953, I believe) the following, "Refusal of fellowship to any of the Lord's people, whether for worship or for ministry, involves denial that they are the people of God".  Current practice in many local churches denies the truth of one bread and one body.  Sure there are biblical restrictions, but these are on extreme grounds of serious moral or doctrinal departure, not on sectarian distinction.  The Corinthians were guilty of schisms and party spirit at the solemn gathering within the church at Corinth (1st Corinthians 11v17-29).  Today our schisms are inter church and do not reflect the truth of God.  Have we tarnished a sacred memorial by man made rules, leading to a Phariseeical, vain kind of worship?

There is no more sacred occasion on earth than to remember the Lord, in fellowship with all His people worldwide.  We should not be using such a solemn occasion to perpetuate sectarian differences.  The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, wrote "To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ".  That is the apostle said that the faith of other believers was of equal value to the faith of the apostles, and it was precious in the sight of God.  Faith is not measured by our status or achievements, but in the worth of the object of faith, that is Christ.  To bring it into present practice, the faith of the Baptists is of equal value to the Presbyterians, as is the Methodist to the Brethren, as is the Charismatics to the Mission Halls, etc. etc. and all in relation to each other.  There are true believers in many mainline churches whose faith is of equal value to ours.  It may be difficult to change practices, but out of respect for the Lord we should change attitudes.  May our solemn memorials be for His glory!   This memorial, which is a proclamation of the Lord's death, should be free from human rules, and out of heart worship to Himself. 

Crossing the Jordan

 Christ in all the scriptures

The miracle of the Jordan    Joshua chapter 3

"Crossing the Jordan", the subject of many a hymn, and of many sermons, but how are we to understand it?  I suppose the one way to introduce it is to ask the question, believer, have you crossed the Jordan yet?  You have definitely left Egypt (spiritually), and crossed the Red Sea (spiritually), but have you crossed the Jordan?  It is not an easy question to answer, for the teaching on this has been somewhat confusing, yet we must understand the beauty of it.

Much of hymnology, and some commentaries would characterise it as physical death, the passing from this life to the next.  However, precious as that would be, when they crossed they were in immediate conflict, and there is no conflict in heaven.

To understand it, we first make some observations of the river Jordan, which plays a vital role in the history of Israel.  "Jordan" in Hebrew, is Yarden, and is derived from the verb Yardah which means to "descend".  Geographers tell us that the Jordan is sourced from the snow capped Mount Hermon, which is 9,200 feet at its peak, and meanders down to the Sea of Galilee which is 680 feet below sea level, and ultimately pours into the Dead Sea which is 1420 feet below sea level.  The picture is clear that the Jordan is permanently descending downward, and ends in the Dead Sea!  If ever there is a picture of fallen humanity this is it!

Picture the scene, 3 million people, plus their animals, standing on the borders of the promised land, and the fast flowing Jordan bars their way!  There is no bridge nor ferries to transport them, and, another factor is that it is the time of harvest when the Jordan overflows its banks.  Yet the Lord demanded His people to cross!

We are about to read of a miracle of mammoth proportions, that has spiritual implications down to the present day.  If the Red Sea speaks of the death of Christ, separating us from our bondage in Egypt, and escape from the pursuing enemy from Egypt; crossing the Jordan speaks of the resurrection of Christ initiating us into a new life, leaving behind years of disobedience and distrust and self will, moving into the realm of obedience and trust to enjoy rest in the promised land.

Notice, they moved from Shittim (the place of Acacia Groves) to the waters edge of the Jordan.  They moved out of their comfort zone.  After 3 days (it was on the third day He rose again) they were summoned to follow the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of Christ).  They were to follow at a distance of 2000 cubits (approx. 1 kilometre).  No matter the nearness to God they were to remain a little apart for reverence to His holy character.  We have been reconciled to God, but that nearness is not to issue in familiarity,  Also the distance would ensure that all the people could see the Ark to follow it.  They marched in order with the Ark leading them.  The feet of the priests carrying the Ark touched the edge of the fast flowing Jordan, and the waters rose up in a heap, and were stayed; the waters cascading toward the Dead Sea dried up, and the people passed over to the other side.

The narrative says that God performed a gravity defying miracle, heaping up the waters some 18 miles north of Jericho, where Israel were congregated the other side of the river.  He made sure that the cities Adam and Zaretan were unaffected by the spray (the name Adam in this miracle is notable!)  The Ark of the covenant stood in the midst of the dried up Jordan, while the people, every last one of them, passed over on dry land.

Thus the relatively new congregation of Israel were witness to the God of Miracles.  Why would they ever doubt His ability or intention to prosper them.  He was also the God of Covenant Promise, symbolised in the Ark, which led them over.

So what is the crossing of Jordan all about?  God did not redeem Israel from Egypt to have them wandering aimlessly in a wilderness.  He saved them to prosper them, that they would enter into blessing.  The miracle of the Red Sea delivered them from Egypt: the miracle of the Jordan brought them into the promised land.  Out of Egypt, not to a no man's land, but into the promised land.  Spiritually speaking the same is true of all believers today.  Taken from one manner of life into another (better) life.  God did not save us to deny us a good life, He saved us to "walk in newness of life". 

it took Israel 40 years after their redemption to enter into the goodness of the Promised land.  We might well ask, how long has it taken us?  Crossing the Jordan is progress: it meant new challenges, but it is progress.  The New Testament is replete with this principle.  Rather than stagnating in a world of vacuum, we are to enter into the enjoyment of the blessings God has for us.  

This will mean casting off the shackles of the old life, and entering into the freedom of the new.

1st Peter 2v1/2 "Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby".

Hebrews 6v1 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection".

Ephesians 4v22/23 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation (manner of life) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts".

This will mean going to war against (not the people of the world) but against our own propensity to live like them

Colossians 3v5/7 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience, in which ye also walked some time when ye lived in them".

Crossing Jordan means entering into the possession of all that we have in Christ, but it will involve putting away the things of the old life.  Each of us must decide what that means for ourselves.

The Jordan is not death, but moving on to a better life. The promised land is not heaven, but heaven on earth!  Believer, are you there yet?  Such progress would revolutionise our churches today!

Remember. the Lord Himself was baptised in the Jordan, and it was from there John the Baptist initiated the revival which issued in thousands being saved in the early church.  The Jordan is very significant in scripture.