Joshua ~ #2 Camped At Swollen Jordan River Series

SS~ #18~ JOSHUA ~ #2 camped at Jordan ~ 10-12-14

Joshua 3: -- pt 1

Today we'll continue in our study of Heb.11: -- "the hall of the faithful" chapter.

Listen as I read our text verses.

　　Heb.11: 30-31 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Today we'll see how the Israelis crossed the swollen Jordan River on their way to their promised land.

~ Before we get into Joshua 3: -- let me remind us that in the last 2 verses of chapter 2: the two Israeli spies that Joshua had sent into Jericho had returned and reported to Joshua everything that they had witnessed, and this would include their encounter with Rahab. -- So after Joshua received the report he was now ready to begin the invasion of Jericho.

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Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

~ Shittim lies approximately 10 miles east of the River Jordan, and about 15 miles east of Jericho. ~ So there was about 5 miles from the Jordan River too the walls of Jericho, so the nation of Israel had amply room once they all crossed.

~ All the children of Israel would camp there for 3 days near the River before they passed over.

　~~~ Well here they are, camped at the swollen Jordan River because of the spring rains, they had no idea how they would pass to the other side.

　 It was one thing for the two spies to make their way across the River (as happened in (chapter 2 :) but here we are talking about a nation of about 2 ½ million people with all their possessions, but they had faith that they would cross over because back in chapter 1: verse 11

　Joshua had told them -- within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, -- so they had no doubt that they would, but no idea as yet how.

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　~ This generation of Gods people had heard how that God had parted the Red Sea for His people about 40 years earlier and they were sure that He would work another miracle if He so willed.

　　　Let me remind us that Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after leaving Egypt, because of their complaining and doubting God, all the people 20 years old and older would die in their wilderness wanderings.

　 ~ Only the children that were born during their wilderness wanderings would enter. -- So these Israelites here at this time did not witness God's parting of the Red Sea.

　@@@ num.13: --- we’ll see why these 20 years old and older were not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Chapter 13:

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. --- 12 men, one from each tribe.

3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.

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17 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:

18 And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;

19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;

20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land.

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25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.