Title: Jordan River (2007.7.22)
Contents
Date: July 22, 2007
Word: Joshua 3:1-6
Title: Jordan River
Contents :
The Israelites did not leave Egypt and go straight into Canaan. After 40 years of intense training and education in the wilderness, we are now standing in front of the Jordan River, the last gateway. And God is telling Israel what to do in Canaan before crossing the Jordan River.
After leaving Egypt, Israel had to cross two great rivers before entering Canaan.
As soon as the people of Israel left Egypt, they were promised an independent kingdom of God, the people of Canaan, but they had not yet entered Canaan and had to stay in the wilderness to receive training as the people of Canaan and to give up all the customs of Egypt.
1) Red Sea (Ex 14:21)
Israel's crossing of the Red Sea was entirely by the power of God. But after Israel crossed the Red Sea, it was not Canaan, but a wilderness.
2) Jordan River (Joshua 3:1)
It was by God's grace and power that Israel crossed the Jordan River. But God requires a few things from Israel before they cross the Jordan River. When we crossed the Red Sea, it was still a wilderness, but when we crossed the Jordan River, it was the land of Canaan. Except for Joshua and Caleb, of the first generation of Israel who left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, even Moses and Aaron could not step on Canaan and died in the wilderness. It is a foreshadowing thoroughly showing that one cannot enter except the following.
How to cross the Jordan River
1) Leave Siddim (verse 1)
Siddim is a place where there are many pits of bitumen (Genesis 14:8-12). This is to teach us that there are many pits of bitumen into which believers can fall even after becoming a member of the church. It is also the place where Israel committed adultery with a Moabite woman (Numbers 25:1) and the last sojourn in the wilderness of Israel (Joshua 2:1). To leave Siddim means to turn around and break even the faintest lines of the last remaining world.
2) Follow the ark of the covenant (verses 3, 13, 14)
3) Make yourself holy (verse 5).
It means that the saints should always examine themselves to see if they are worthy of the kingdom of God. Therefore, believers should strive to lead a life of repentance and godliness.
4) Enter the Jordan River (verse 8)
This means the exercise of faith. Believers must show their faith through works. It says that God measures the faith of the saints.
I pray that you will win as a faithful Christian who does not love only with words and tongue, but with deeds and truth.