Stepping into the waters first
Jos. 3:13
Yesterday, we talked a bit about the preparation of the Israelites as they were about to cross the Jordan into Canaan. We will continue.
Before they crossed the Jordan, Joshua commanded the Israelites, “Sanctify yourselves” (Jos. 3:5) and elaborated to them how the LORD had promised to give them the land and how the LORD will help them. He also told them that the waters of the Jordan (which was overflowing its banks) will be cut off when the soles of the feet of the priests touched the waters.
We want to take up two important lessons from this:
- We must sanctify ourselves if the wondrous works of the LORD is to be seen in us. Joshua commanded the Israelites to sanctify themselves as they were about to embark on one of the most important missions of the Israelites’ history. To expect blessings and wonderful works of the LORD without any effort on our side is wrong.
- We need to step into the waters. The Jordan was swelling and overflowing its banks. Before the priests stepped on the waters, the Jordan was flowing. It stopped only when they stepped into the waters. It is not enough to be mere spectators in the LORD’s works; we need to take steps and step into the waters first to see the wonderful works of the LORD. Let us not complain without doing anything. Let us step out first and see the amazing powers of the LORD.
