INTRODUCTION: During the time of this narrative the Jordan River normally was approximately 100’ wide. However, we are told it was flood tide. That means the river could have been over a mile in width. It was flood tide and an uncrossable river stood between the Children of Israel the Promise Land. Many of us have uncrossable rivers that we face. If you face one it is time to get serious with God and make sure that you have a personal relationship with Christ. Apart from Him you will not succeed because one must be sanctified/cleansed in order to enter the Promise Land or this level of Spirit-filled living. However, with His promise you will be amazed as He drives the “ites” right out of YOUR land/life. The “ites” are sometimes referred to as types of sin. It is time to consecrate yourself and go to the edge of the river. Watch the Ark of the Covenant, keep a safe distance, follow it and cross over Jordan River to the Promise Land on dry ground!
OUTLINE:
I. Contemplating Jordan.
God made a covenant with Abraham and promised Him the land we know today as Israel. To the Children of Israel it was the Promised Land. Living in that land was to be the ultimate blessing for them. They longed to be in the Promised Land. Today, it is not land that we have been promised. No, we have been promised much more! We have been promised the Holy Spirit! It's the desire of God that we be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Before the Children of Israel crossed Jordan there were certain things that had to be addressed. First, that had to be ready and of good courage. Second, they needed to be circumcised. The foreskin of those males born in the wilderness had to be circumcised. The practice of circumcision had to be resumed. Circumcision is the cutting away of the foreskin of the male reproductive organ. This Old Testament practice was a type of New Testament sanctification whereas God cuts away the sin from the believers life. God promised He would drive out the sin dwellers in the Promised Land. He wants to do that for us today but again it is not the land but our lives.
“This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites” (Joshua 3:10, NIV).
The seven ites are symbolic of the following seven evil spirits:
1) Canaanites were lowland people. This evil spirit attacks people with addictions, perversions, and exaggerated people-pleasing;
2) Hittites were "Sons of Terror." This evil spirit attacks people with torments, phobias, terror, depression, and deceit;
3) Hivites were the "Villagers." This evil spirit attacks people with hedonism (enjoyment of the flesh/if it feels good do it), no vision;
4) Perizzites were those that belonged to and lived off of the Villagers. This evil spirit attacks people with laziness, leaching, living off others, and low self-esteem;
5) Girgashites were the "Clay Dwellers." This evil spirit attacks people and tempts them to focus on earth, to be materialistic, to have no faith in the unseen;
6) Amorites were mountain people who were domineering people. This evil spirit attacks people by tempting them to be obsessed with fame and glory;
7) Jebusites were "Threshers." This evil spirit wants people to suppress spiritual authority and be legalistic.
Before crossing Jordan we must contemplate where we are and be ready for the Lord to get rid of these ites from our lives.
At the right time.... at the appointed time... "in the fullness of time!" We are ready to cross that uncrossable river...
II. Crossing Jordan.
The Ark of the Covenant was central to the crossing. The priest were to step into the water carrying the Ark. As long as the priest were in the river with the Ark God was present. Wherever He is there is liberty! We could not cross the river on our own. "He came to me."
III. Commemorating Jordan.
The stones were taken from the river bed and placed at their lodging camp. Most likely these stones did not have rough edges. They had been tossed by the waves of adversity to the point of being smooth. Sometimes we as living stones have been tossed. Our tossing makes us smoother and not rough. When you have been tossed around you are able to relate to other stones in such a way that is not offensive.
These stones were placed as an everlasting memorial. Future generations would ask about these stones and they would hear the story of God's power and how He fulfilled His promises.
Joshua placed a second set of stones in the river bed. These would be cover by the water when God removed His unseen hand which held them back. Only Joshua and those who were there witnessing him building this monument would know. Sometimes we are to build monuments in our hearts that only we know about. These are the monuments of anonymity. Our hearts are reminded of God's power and provision through our gratitude. Let us not forget but let us not boast about ourselves.
CONCLUSION: This was a very significant time for the children of Israel and God did not want them to ever forget it. So, He gave instructions for them to build an altar. Not an altar to make sacrifices on, but rather, a memorial. This altar of 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel, would last for generation after generation, to remind the people of what God did for them. And it would not just be to remind the people who crossed over because verse 6 says that the Israelites’ children will want to know what those stones mean. This pile of stones, called a cairn in more scholarly circles, would last for many years, reminding the people and their children and their children’s children that God had been good to them. With a careful study you will discover that actually, there were two memorials built that day. First, there was the altar built with the stones carried out of the river by the twelve representatives of the tribes. But, verses 8 and 9 also indicate that Joshua himself built an altar. It seems that Joshua took twelve stones from the middle of the river where the priest stood and built an altar right there, in the middle of the river. This is a type of the baptism in the New Testament. The stones under the river represent being crucified with Christ, unseen. Whereas, the stones above the river represent being raised with Christ, seen. We need to let others see Christ in us!
You have never been this way before and you may have never experienced the mighty hand of God in this way. However, now it is going to be a new way of life for you. Remember that twelve stones were placed in the river bed (Crucified with Christ/Unseen). And twelve more were placed on the bank (Risen with Christ/Seen). You are victorious! You can now go forward in faith and claim the land! His promises are yes and amen! Perhaps, in faith you might want to set up some stones. Monuments, markers, etc. to reminder you and testify to others that you have only made it this far by Grace! Give Him the glory!
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