Joshua 3:1-17
Joshua was in charge; the spies gave a good report of the land they scouted; now it was time to take action...almost. God had prepared the way and provided the plan for the Israelites to finally move forward and take possession of their Promised Land. But as they were on the brink of taking that step, there was one more thing they had to do.
After giving everyone instructions on how to proceed into their new land - following the Ark of the Covenant - Joshua tended to a very important detail. Purification. He instructed the people to purify themselves in preparation to be used by God in a might and powerful way. Well, what did that have to do with anything?
I'm glad you asked! God is holy and pure and anyone who dared enter his presence needs to be as close to the same as possible. This is why the priests were ever designated. It is why all of the leaders of Israel were hand-chosen by God. He had to know that when he gave instructions, they would be funneled down to the people in just the manner he intended. By choosing the right people, it became more possible. By ensuring those chosen few were consecrated unto him and cleansed - symbolically or actually - from the sinful influences of the world, he made it perfect.
How easy is it to walk into a convenience store and browse for a few minutes, find what you're looking for, pay and leave only to find yourself humming the familiar tune that had been playing inside, but you hardly noticed while you were there? I know things like that happen to me plenty. If that tune is something that is not necessarily pleasing to God, having in you head distracts you from hearing his will.
The same was true of the foreign environment the Israelites had been in for so long. They had been exposed to so many things and people who thought and behaved contrary to God's guidance. Because Joshua knew this and how fickle his people could be, he charged them to purify and rid themselves of those foreign spirits and idols.
Only then were the Israelites ready to cross the river. Talk about a long road trip! Once they had purified themselves and prepared to move out, God worked another miracle. Just as at the Red Sea, God stopped the flow of the Jordan River and allowed them to cross over on dry land. If we purify ourselves - our thoughts, our actions, our words - we will be able to witness and experience the full power of God.
Lord, make us holy as you are holy. Keep us purified before you so that we can experience your glory in our lives. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Joshua was in charge; the spies gave a good report of the land they scouted; now it was time to take action...almost. God had prepared the way and provided the plan for the Israelites to finally move forward and take possession of their Promised Land. But as they were on the brink of taking that step, there was one more thing they had to do.
After giving everyone instructions on how to proceed into their new land - following the Ark of the Covenant - Joshua tended to a very important detail. Purification. He instructed the people to purify themselves in preparation to be used by God in a might and powerful way. Well, what did that have to do with anything?
I'm glad you asked! God is holy and pure and anyone who dared enter his presence needs to be as close to the same as possible. This is why the priests were ever designated. It is why all of the leaders of Israel were hand-chosen by God. He had to know that when he gave instructions, they would be funneled down to the people in just the manner he intended. By choosing the right people, it became more possible. By ensuring those chosen few were consecrated unto him and cleansed - symbolically or actually - from the sinful influences of the world, he made it perfect.
How easy is it to walk into a convenience store and browse for a few minutes, find what you're looking for, pay and leave only to find yourself humming the familiar tune that had been playing inside, but you hardly noticed while you were there? I know things like that happen to me plenty. If that tune is something that is not necessarily pleasing to God, having in you head distracts you from hearing his will.
The same was true of the foreign environment the Israelites had been in for so long. They had been exposed to so many things and people who thought and behaved contrary to God's guidance. Because Joshua knew this and how fickle his people could be, he charged them to purify and rid themselves of those foreign spirits and idols.
Only then were the Israelites ready to cross the river. Talk about a long road trip! Once they had purified themselves and prepared to move out, God worked another miracle. Just as at the Red Sea, God stopped the flow of the Jordan River and allowed them to cross over on dry land. If we purify ourselves - our thoughts, our actions, our words - we will be able to witness and experience the full power of God.
Lord, make us holy as you are holy. Keep us purified before you so that we can experience your glory in our lives. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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