Often times our obstacles are nothing more than God’s opportunities to display His power, and to build our faith. Certainly this was the case with Israel and the Jordan River. From our text we find that Israel is ready to go in and to take possession of the Promised Land. However, one major obstacle remained – The Jordan River at flood stage, and what an obstacle it was.
This normally mild river, every spring, turned into a swift running, mile wide current that kept even the bravest from trying to cross it. How would Joshua get two million people plus livestock and possessions across? How would the Lord get Israel passed this giant obstacle and moving forward by faith? He gave them three things……
He Gave them a Clear Message – v.3:1-13
This clear message was that He was going to be with them and show them the way passed this obstacle. In this case, His presence is represented by the ark of the covenant (mentioned seventeen times in chapters 3-4). This idea that the Lord was going to be with them and lead them is communicated through a series of instructions.
The message is communicated……..
· From Elders to the People – v.3-4
· From Joshua to the people and the Priests – v.5-6
· From God to Joshua – v.7-8
· From Joshua to the People – v.9-13
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
OBSTACLE ILLUSIONS PT.1 - JOSHUA 3:1-13
FINALLY! After centuries of waiting, Israel was on the verge of entering into the Promised Land, the land that had been promised to Abraham and his descendents over 400 years earlier (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18). This was a historic moment, one that the Patriarchs could only dream about. Now Israel was about to go in and take their promised possession. However, one obstacle remained, the Jordan River.
Normally the Jordan River would not have been a major obstacle to entering into the land, but it was April and the river was at its highest level. It was in its flood stage. During most of the year, the Jordan River was about 100’ feet wide, but during the spring flood season it would overflow its banks and become a mile wide in some spots. In addition, the very word “Jordan” means “descender” because the river drops nearly 1,000’ in elevation as it goes from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It has been estimated that this increases the speed of the current by about ten miles per hour during flood season.
Humanly speaking, there was no possible way for the children of Israel to cross the Jordan as this time of the year. Think about it, funneling across, at one spot, two-million people along with livestock and possessions seems like an insurmountable problem. How as Joshua going to get the whole nation across the river? He wasn’t, but God was.
The only question that remained had to do with whether Israel would trust the Lord to get them passed this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
In chapter 2 the focus was on the faith of one individual, Rahab. In chapters 3-4 the focus is on the faith of the entire nation as a whole. Chapters 3-4 go together as one unit because they describe how God led Israel through this obstacle to victory. In addition to leading Israel through this obstacle the Lord also helped Israel to move forward by faith. He did this in three ways. He gave them a clear message (v.3:1-13), he gave them a confirming miracle (v.3:14-17), and he gave them a continuous memorial (v.4:1-24).
Before we look at the first element of God’s help in overcoming the obstacle set before them, let’s set the context.
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed.
Joshua 3:1 tells us that Israel moved from their camp at Shittim (Acacia Grove) and made the approximately seven mile journey to the Jordan. This was done in fulfillment of Joshua’s earlier plans (Joshua 1:11).
11 "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'"
As was stated in our study of that passage, the phrase “within three days” has caused a great deal of debate regarding the chronology of the story (compare v.1:11 with v.2:22; 3:2). Does this indicate an error in Scripture? Does God’s word contradict itself? Is the Bible trustworthy?
Various solutions have been offered to solve the dilemma.
Solution #1 – This theory states that the term “three days” is a stereotypical / general phrase that really means, “in a few days.”
Solution #2 – This theory states that in v.1:11 Joshua was simply estimating when they would cross the Jordan. However, he did not anticipate the spies being delayed for an additional three days. In this scenario it actually took six days to get the people ready to cross the Jordan.
Solution #3 – This theory states that Joshua sent out the spies prior to his comments in v.1:11, therefore the account in chapter two is not chronological but parenthetical.
Which solution, if any is correct? Let me suggest a solution that combines theory #1 and theory #3.
The phrase “within three days” is a Hebrew idiom that can mean “on the third day.” The NIV translates it, “three days from now.” In addition, we should mention that time in the Old Testament was kept in an inclusive manner. In other words, the first and last units or fractions of units of a group were included as fuller units of the total group. Thus, part of today, tomorrow and the next day day can be called three days (which is helpful to understand v.2:22; 3:2).
If we assume that Joshua sent out the spies before v.1:11, then the following chronology is possible.
Day #1 – The announcement is made in v.1:11 to prepare to move.
Day #2 – The people move from the Acacia Grove to the Jordan
Day #3 – Israel receives its instructions about the crossing of the
Jordan as stated in v.3:1-13.
Somewhere during this time the spies return and give their report. Never panic when someone points out a seeming contradiction in God’s word, there is usually a good explanation.
In any event, the narrative picks up at v.3:2 and begins the description of the clear message of faith.
God Gave Israel a Clear Message – v.2-13
Think for a moment about the people as they waited by the Jordan looking at the flood swollen river. They must have wondered, “How are we going to get across that thing?” Remember now that this was their first major crisis for Joshua to handle. How was he going to respond? Like Moses, Joshua knew where to go for instruction.
It seems clear that Joshua received direct communication from the Lord throughout these first few chapters instructing him specifically on what to do. These instructions were in turn communicated to the Elders and then to the people (3:2-4; cf. 1:10-11).
What was the clear message that was to be communicated here in chapter 3? The Lord would be with them and lead them through this obstacle (a point that is emphasized in every set of instructions). This message is made clear in verse 2-3 with the mention of the Ark of the Covenant.
2 And it came about at the end of three days that the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
This is the first mention of the ark in Joshua but it will not be the last. In fact, the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned seventeen times in chapters 3-4 alone. It is mentioned ten times in chapter 3 (v.3, 6 [twice], 8, 11, 13, 14, 15 [twice], 17) and seven times in chapter 4 (v.5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18). This many mentions of the ark are meant to serve as an assurance to the people. How? The ark represented the symbol of God’s presence among His people (Exodus 25). By making the ark the prominent focus God was saying, “Don’t look at the obstacle, look at Me.” Verse 3 drives this point home.
"When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God”…..
“then you shall set out from your place and go after it”
As we saw in chapter one, there was an order to how God communicated His instructions to the people, so too here, there is an order to how the clear message of His presence and guidance is communicated to the people.
The Elders Instruct the People – v.2-4
2 And it came about at the end of three days that the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
The purpose of this step in the instruction process is direction. The people were given specific direction as to how they were to proceed and in what order they were to proceed.
As to the order they were to proceed in, they were to follow the instructions given to them by God in Numbers 2. In that chapter the various tribes were assigned specific positions when they traveled and specific locations when they set up camp.
This is what is referred to in v.3 where the people are told,
"When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it."
As to how they were to proceed, again, the people were given specific instructions previously about the proper transportation of the ark (Exodus 25:12-13; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8).
4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure.
It is believed that a cubit was the distance from a man’s finger tips to his elbow, generally, about eighteen inches. If this is the case then 2,000 cubits would be about 3,000 feet, or 1,000 yards. Why were they to stay so far back? No doubt one reason was to remind the people about the holiness of God. They were not to take His presence lightly. However, the text clearly gives the reason.
Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
In a very long sentence, Keil and Delitzsch explain,
Since the people had never traveled this way before, they needed God to Guide them. By keeping the right distance the people would be able to keep their eyes fixed on Him (through the ark) and stay on the right path.
Joshua Instructs the People and Priests – v.5-6
The purpose for this step in the instruction process is preparation.
5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
To the people, Joshua said prepare yourselves by consecration for the great thing God is going to do tomorrow. The word consecrate is the Hebrew word qadash and has the basic idea of being set apart (just like the New Testament word hagios). Joshua’s words of instruction are both a command and a promise. The fulfillment of the promise depended on the obedience of the command.
Warren Wiersbe makes an interesting point,
To the priests his instruction was very simple, Prepare to do your job!
6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
Interestingly, the text does not indicate that the priests new exactly what was going to happen. They only knew that the next day the Lord was going to do wonders among them. For them to lead the way with the ark they too needed some faith and courage. No doubt Joshua instilled both in them, although we are not told so in the text.
The Lord Instructs Joshua – v.7-8
This purpose for this step in the instruction process is confirmation.
7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
Verse 7 is a confirmation of God’s promise given in Joshua 1:5, 17. God’s presence with Joshua was important because it not only encouraged Joshua, but it validated His leadership and confirmed him as God’s man. Just as God confirmed Moses’ leadership through the miracle at the Red Sea, so too will He confirm Joshua’s leadership at the Jordan River.
It is interesting that God exalts Joshua through this miracle, even though Joshua is not directly involved in the miracle, except in giving the instructions. In addition, the purpose of exalting Joshua was not for Joshua’s sake only, rather, that they may know, which has the idea of “so that” they may know (which indicates purpose). The “they” refers to the children of Israel. What is it that the Lord wanted them to know? Just as He had been with Moses, He would be with Joshua.
This is fulfilled in Joshua 4:14
14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life.
Verse 8 basically picks up where verse 6 left off.
8 "You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
In verse 6 the priests are told to take up the ark and go before the people. In verse 8 they are told to go to the banks of the Jordan and get ready to step in the water.
Joshua Instructs All of the People – v.9-13
The purpose of this step in the instruction process is for explanation and exhortation. Joshua is now going to explain what God is going to do to get them across the Jordan (passed the obstacle). Notice that he makes it clear that what he is about to say is not from him, but from the Lord.
9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God."
What the Lord was going to do, He was going to do so that Israel would know that the living God was among them and that He will, without fail, drive out from before them the inhabitants of Canaan.
10 And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
In verse 10 we have already the third use of the word “know” (v.4, 7, 10) in this chapter. The Lord really wanted to assure the people that everything was going to be okay. He wanted them to “know” it as a fact.
By using the term “the living God” Joshua was reminding them that their God was unique, not like the pagan gods of the people they were going to encounter on the other side (Psalm 115:3-7). This living God was not off in some distant, unreachable place, but He was “among” them. The living God’s eviction of the inhabitants on the other side was going to be no contest because as Joshua says, He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
Here seven different inhabitants of the land of Canaan are mentioned, but as we will find out there will be more than that evicted (Joshua 9:1; 11:3; 12:8; 24:11). Seven are listed here, probably as a sign of completeness. In other words, God’s promise of help was a comprehensive promise.
Who are these seven groups of people that are mentioned here? We will talk about them more as we make our way through this book, but I want to briefly highlight each group.
The Canaanites – Sometimes the term Canaanite is used as an all inclusive term to refer any people living in Canaan regardless of their ethnic identity. However here and in other places (Joshua 7:9; Judges 1:27-29) it refers to a specific group of people in Canaan. These people were the descendants of Canaan the son of Ham (Genesis 10:15-19). They were a Semitic people that normally lived along the coastline of Phoenicia.
The Hittites – These were probably migrants from the Hittite Empire in Asia Minor. Here in Joshua it is apparent that they resided in the hill country of Canaan, especially in the northeast area near Syria (Joshua 11:3).
The Hivites – They appear to have lived in the mountainous region in what is today Lebanon (Joshua 11:3; Judges 3:3).
The Perizzites – They appear to have lived in the forested areas of central Palestine and the highlands of Samaria (Joshua 17:15; Genesis 13:7).
The Girgashites – No one knows for sure the exact area in which these people lived.
The Amorites – Like the term Canaanite, the term Amorite was also used in an all inclusive manner. Likewise, it also can refer to a specific group of people. Next to the Hittites, the Amorites were possibly the most powerful group of people in Palestine. Yet, Israel had already defeated this group of people who lived in the Transjordan area (Numbers 21:21-35; Joshua 2:10). If you remember, the 2 1/2 tribes had already been granted the privilege of living in that conquered area (Numbers 32:1-27; Joshua 1:13-15). The mention of this group here reinforces the idea that the writer is giving this list of seven names as sign of completeness.
The Jebusites – They are mainly known because they inhabited what we now know as Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8; 18:28; see also
1 Chronicles 11:4-9). Jerusalem was previously known as “Jebus” (2 Samuel 5:6-10).
In this list we seem to have the whole area of Palestine covered.
· Northwest – Girgashites?
· North – Hivites
· Northeast – Hittites and Amorites
· South, Southwest – Jebusites
· Southeast, East – Amorites
· Central Coast – Canaanites
· Central Palestine – Perzzites
(Much of this information came from David M. Howard; NAC Commentary: Joshua; pp. 126-127)
In verse 11 the writer places our focus directly on the authority of God. Why does God have the right to lead Israel across the Jordan so that they can drive out the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites? Because He is the Lord of all the earth!
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.
The word Lord here is not Yahweh, but Adonai which means ruler or owner. Because He is Lord, ruler, owner of all the earth, He has the sovereign right to give the land to whom He chooses.
How would they know He would do this? Behold, the ark of the covenant……. is crossing over ahead of you. Joshua says to the people “Look (behold), focus your attention on the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, and He will lead passed this obstacle.”
12 Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.
Verse 12 is a detail that the writer adds to create suspense for what will happen later in v.4:2-9.
13 And it shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap."
Finally, in verse 13 Joshua gets around to explaining how the miracle is going to happen. The entire chapter has been building to this point and it is fleshed out a little more in v.14-17 (next week).
What can we learn from this passage? The main thing we can take away from this passage is that there is way to face obstacles that come our way and there is a way for us to move forward by faith.
In order for us to move forward passed our obstacles we should do four things.
(1) Focus on God’s Presence
Paul asked the rhetorical question in Romans 8:31
31…….If God is for us, who is against us?
There is no obstacle that confronts us that is insurmountable with the Lord’s help! How many times have I heard someone say, “But Pastor Jim, I can’t”……and they are right, we can’t, but God can. He can work through us and through our circumstances to accomplish what we could never accomplish on our own.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
He may not obliterate our obstacle rather, He may lead us on a new path we have never been on or used before. He may even require that we walk right up to the obstacle and dip our feet in the water. The key is keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(2) Focus on our own Preparation
It might be that the obstacle cannot be overcome because our own hearts are not right. Israel was told to “consecrate yourselves” so that they would not stand in the way of God working. It could be that we fail to focus on His presence because we have not prepared ourselves to even see or expect His help. It may be that we have not shed those encumbrances that hinder us.
(3) Focus on God’s Promises
God promised Israel this land, and His promises never fail. He promised Joshua that He was going to exalt him before the people, and that He was doing.
2 Peter 1:4
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us….the same promise He gave to Joshua (Josh. 1:5).
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say,
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"
(4) Focus on God’s Power
He is the “living God” and He dwells among His people. He can move our obstacles if we will trust Him.
Normally the Jordan River would not have been a major obstacle to entering into the land, but it was April and the river was at its highest level. It was in its flood stage. During most of the year, the Jordan River was about 100’ feet wide, but during the spring flood season it would overflow its banks and become a mile wide in some spots. In addition, the very word “Jordan” means “descender” because the river drops nearly 1,000’ in elevation as it goes from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It has been estimated that this increases the speed of the current by about ten miles per hour during flood season.
Humanly speaking, there was no possible way for the children of Israel to cross the Jordan as this time of the year. Think about it, funneling across, at one spot, two-million people along with livestock and possessions seems like an insurmountable problem. How as Joshua going to get the whole nation across the river? He wasn’t, but God was.
The only question that remained had to do with whether Israel would trust the Lord to get them passed this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
In chapter 2 the focus was on the faith of one individual, Rahab. In chapters 3-4 the focus is on the faith of the entire nation as a whole. Chapters 3-4 go together as one unit because they describe how God led Israel through this obstacle to victory. In addition to leading Israel through this obstacle the Lord also helped Israel to move forward by faith. He did this in three ways. He gave them a clear message (v.3:1-13), he gave them a confirming miracle (v.3:14-17), and he gave them a continuous memorial (v.4:1-24).
Before we look at the first element of God’s help in overcoming the obstacle set before them, let’s set the context.
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed.
Joshua 3:1 tells us that Israel moved from their camp at Shittim (Acacia Grove) and made the approximately seven mile journey to the Jordan. This was done in fulfillment of Joshua’s earlier plans (Joshua 1:11).
11 "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'"
As was stated in our study of that passage, the phrase “within three days” has caused a great deal of debate regarding the chronology of the story (compare v.1:11 with v.2:22; 3:2). Does this indicate an error in Scripture? Does God’s word contradict itself? Is the Bible trustworthy?
Various solutions have been offered to solve the dilemma.
Solution #1 – This theory states that the term “three days” is a stereotypical / general phrase that really means, “in a few days.”
Solution #2 – This theory states that in v.1:11 Joshua was simply estimating when they would cross the Jordan. However, he did not anticipate the spies being delayed for an additional three days. In this scenario it actually took six days to get the people ready to cross the Jordan.
Solution #3 – This theory states that Joshua sent out the spies prior to his comments in v.1:11, therefore the account in chapter two is not chronological but parenthetical.
Which solution, if any is correct? Let me suggest a solution that combines theory #1 and theory #3.
The phrase “within three days” is a Hebrew idiom that can mean “on the third day.” The NIV translates it, “three days from now.” In addition, we should mention that time in the Old Testament was kept in an inclusive manner. In other words, the first and last units or fractions of units of a group were included as fuller units of the total group. Thus, part of today, tomorrow and the next day day can be called three days (which is helpful to understand v.2:22; 3:2).
If we assume that Joshua sent out the spies before v.1:11, then the following chronology is possible.
Day #1 – The announcement is made in v.1:11 to prepare to move.
Day #2 – The people move from the Acacia Grove to the Jordan
Day #3 – Israel receives its instructions about the crossing of the
Jordan as stated in v.3:1-13.
Somewhere during this time the spies return and give their report. Never panic when someone points out a seeming contradiction in God’s word, there is usually a good explanation.
In any event, the narrative picks up at v.3:2 and begins the description of the clear message of faith.
God Gave Israel a Clear Message – v.2-13
Think for a moment about the people as they waited by the Jordan looking at the flood swollen river. They must have wondered, “How are we going to get across that thing?” Remember now that this was their first major crisis for Joshua to handle. How was he going to respond? Like Moses, Joshua knew where to go for instruction.
It seems clear that Joshua received direct communication from the Lord throughout these first few chapters instructing him specifically on what to do. These instructions were in turn communicated to the Elders and then to the people (3:2-4; cf. 1:10-11).
What was the clear message that was to be communicated here in chapter 3? The Lord would be with them and lead them through this obstacle (a point that is emphasized in every set of instructions). This message is made clear in verse 2-3 with the mention of the Ark of the Covenant.
2 And it came about at the end of three days that the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
This is the first mention of the ark in Joshua but it will not be the last. In fact, the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned seventeen times in chapters 3-4 alone. It is mentioned ten times in chapter 3 (v.3, 6 [twice], 8, 11, 13, 14, 15 [twice], 17) and seven times in chapter 4 (v.5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18). This many mentions of the ark are meant to serve as an assurance to the people. How? The ark represented the symbol of God’s presence among His people (Exodus 25). By making the ark the prominent focus God was saying, “Don’t look at the obstacle, look at Me.” Verse 3 drives this point home.
"When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God”…..
“then you shall set out from your place and go after it”
As we saw in chapter one, there was an order to how God communicated His instructions to the people, so too here, there is an order to how the clear message of His presence and guidance is communicated to the people.
The Elders Instruct the People – v.2-4
2 And it came about at the end of three days that the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
The purpose of this step in the instruction process is direction. The people were given specific direction as to how they were to proceed and in what order they were to proceed.
As to the order they were to proceed in, they were to follow the instructions given to them by God in Numbers 2. In that chapter the various tribes were assigned specific positions when they traveled and specific locations when they set up camp.
This is what is referred to in v.3 where the people are told,
"When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it."
As to how they were to proceed, again, the people were given specific instructions previously about the proper transportation of the ark (Exodus 25:12-13; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8).
4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure.
It is believed that a cubit was the distance from a man’s finger tips to his elbow, generally, about eighteen inches. If this is the case then 2,000 cubits would be about 3,000 feet, or 1,000 yards. Why were they to stay so far back? No doubt one reason was to remind the people about the holiness of God. They were not to take His presence lightly. However, the text clearly gives the reason.
Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
In a very long sentence, Keil and Delitzsch explain,
The ark was carried in front of the people, not so much to show the road as to make a road by dividing the waters of the Jordan, and the people were to keep at a distance from it, that they might not lose sight of the ark, but keep their eyes fixed upon it, and know the road by looking at the ark of the covenant by which the road had been made, i.e., might know and observe how the Lord, through the medium of the ark, was leading them to Canaan by a way which they had never traversed before, i.e., by a miraculous way. (Quoted in Joshua: Bible Study Commentary, Paul P. Enns, pp. 36-37)
Since the people had never traveled this way before, they needed God to Guide them. By keeping the right distance the people would be able to keep their eyes fixed on Him (through the ark) and stay on the right path.
Joshua Instructs the People and Priests – v.5-6
The purpose for this step in the instruction process is preparation.
5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
To the people, Joshua said prepare yourselves by consecration for the great thing God is going to do tomorrow. The word consecrate is the Hebrew word qadash and has the basic idea of being set apart (just like the New Testament word hagios). Joshua’s words of instruction are both a command and a promise. The fulfillment of the promise depended on the obedience of the command.
Warren Wiersbe makes an interesting point,
Some of God’s promises are unconditional, and all we have to do is believe them; while other promises require that we meet certain conditions. In meeting these conditions, we’re not earning God’s blessing; we’re making sure our hearts are ready for God’s blessing (Be Strong, pp. 48).
In this context, they were to separate themselves from the things that were unclean and common. Consecration before a major event was not unusual in the Old Testament, especially when God was going to reveal Himself in a special way (Exodus 19). In fact, if the experience of Israel at Mt. Sinai is the pattern, then the consecration process would include, washing oneself, changing one’s cloths, and abstaining from sexual relations (Exodus 19:10-15).
In the Bible the imagery of washing one’s body and changing clothes symbolized making a new beginning with the Lord. Since sin is pictured as defilement (Ps. 51:2, 7), God has to cleanse us before we can truly follow Him. When Jacob made a new beginning with the Lord and returned to Bethel, he and his family washed themselves and changed their garments (Gen. 35:1-3). After King David confessed his sin, he bathed, changed clothes, and worshiped the Lord (2 Sam. 12:20) (Be Strong, pp. 48).
To the priests his instruction was very simple, Prepare to do your job!
6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
Interestingly, the text does not indicate that the priests new exactly what was going to happen. They only knew that the next day the Lord was going to do wonders among them. For them to lead the way with the ark they too needed some faith and courage. No doubt Joshua instilled both in them, although we are not told so in the text.
The Lord Instructs Joshua – v.7-8
This purpose for this step in the instruction process is confirmation.
7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
Verse 7 is a confirmation of God’s promise given in Joshua 1:5, 17. God’s presence with Joshua was important because it not only encouraged Joshua, but it validated His leadership and confirmed him as God’s man. Just as God confirmed Moses’ leadership through the miracle at the Red Sea, so too will He confirm Joshua’s leadership at the Jordan River.
It is interesting that God exalts Joshua through this miracle, even though Joshua is not directly involved in the miracle, except in giving the instructions. In addition, the purpose of exalting Joshua was not for Joshua’s sake only, rather, that they may know, which has the idea of “so that” they may know (which indicates purpose). The “they” refers to the children of Israel. What is it that the Lord wanted them to know? Just as He had been with Moses, He would be with Joshua.
This is fulfilled in Joshua 4:14
14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life.
Verse 8 basically picks up where verse 6 left off.
8 "You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
In verse 6 the priests are told to take up the ark and go before the people. In verse 8 they are told to go to the banks of the Jordan and get ready to step in the water.
Joshua Instructs All of the People – v.9-13
The purpose of this step in the instruction process is for explanation and exhortation. Joshua is now going to explain what God is going to do to get them across the Jordan (passed the obstacle). Notice that he makes it clear that what he is about to say is not from him, but from the Lord.
9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God."
What the Lord was going to do, He was going to do so that Israel would know that the living God was among them and that He will, without fail, drive out from before them the inhabitants of Canaan.
10 And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
In verse 10 we have already the third use of the word “know” (v.4, 7, 10) in this chapter. The Lord really wanted to assure the people that everything was going to be okay. He wanted them to “know” it as a fact.
By using the term “the living God” Joshua was reminding them that their God was unique, not like the pagan gods of the people they were going to encounter on the other side (Psalm 115:3-7). This living God was not off in some distant, unreachable place, but He was “among” them. The living God’s eviction of the inhabitants on the other side was going to be no contest because as Joshua says, He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
Here seven different inhabitants of the land of Canaan are mentioned, but as we will find out there will be more than that evicted (Joshua 9:1; 11:3; 12:8; 24:11). Seven are listed here, probably as a sign of completeness. In other words, God’s promise of help was a comprehensive promise.
Who are these seven groups of people that are mentioned here? We will talk about them more as we make our way through this book, but I want to briefly highlight each group.
The Canaanites – Sometimes the term Canaanite is used as an all inclusive term to refer any people living in Canaan regardless of their ethnic identity. However here and in other places (Joshua 7:9; Judges 1:27-29) it refers to a specific group of people in Canaan. These people were the descendants of Canaan the son of Ham (Genesis 10:15-19). They were a Semitic people that normally lived along the coastline of Phoenicia.
The Hittites – These were probably migrants from the Hittite Empire in Asia Minor. Here in Joshua it is apparent that they resided in the hill country of Canaan, especially in the northeast area near Syria (Joshua 11:3).
The Hivites – They appear to have lived in the mountainous region in what is today Lebanon (Joshua 11:3; Judges 3:3).
The Perizzites – They appear to have lived in the forested areas of central Palestine and the highlands of Samaria (Joshua 17:15; Genesis 13:7).
The Girgashites – No one knows for sure the exact area in which these people lived.
The Amorites – Like the term Canaanite, the term Amorite was also used in an all inclusive manner. Likewise, it also can refer to a specific group of people. Next to the Hittites, the Amorites were possibly the most powerful group of people in Palestine. Yet, Israel had already defeated this group of people who lived in the Transjordan area (Numbers 21:21-35; Joshua 2:10). If you remember, the 2 1/2 tribes had already been granted the privilege of living in that conquered area (Numbers 32:1-27; Joshua 1:13-15). The mention of this group here reinforces the idea that the writer is giving this list of seven names as sign of completeness.
The Jebusites – They are mainly known because they inhabited what we now know as Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8; 18:28; see also
1 Chronicles 11:4-9). Jerusalem was previously known as “Jebus” (2 Samuel 5:6-10).
In this list we seem to have the whole area of Palestine covered.
· Northwest – Girgashites?
· North – Hivites
· Northeast – Hittites and Amorites
· South, Southwest – Jebusites
· Southeast, East – Amorites
· Central Coast – Canaanites
· Central Palestine – Perzzites
(Much of this information came from David M. Howard; NAC Commentary: Joshua; pp. 126-127)
In verse 11 the writer places our focus directly on the authority of God. Why does God have the right to lead Israel across the Jordan so that they can drive out the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites? Because He is the Lord of all the earth!
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.
The word Lord here is not Yahweh, but Adonai which means ruler or owner. Because He is Lord, ruler, owner of all the earth, He has the sovereign right to give the land to whom He chooses.
How would they know He would do this? Behold, the ark of the covenant……. is crossing over ahead of you. Joshua says to the people “Look (behold), focus your attention on the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, and He will lead passed this obstacle.”
12 Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.
Verse 12 is a detail that the writer adds to create suspense for what will happen later in v.4:2-9.
13 And it shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap."
Finally, in verse 13 Joshua gets around to explaining how the miracle is going to happen. The entire chapter has been building to this point and it is fleshed out a little more in v.14-17 (next week).
What can we learn from this passage? The main thing we can take away from this passage is that there is way to face obstacles that come our way and there is a way for us to move forward by faith.
In order for us to move forward passed our obstacles we should do four things.
(1) Focus on God’s Presence
Paul asked the rhetorical question in Romans 8:31
31…….If God is for us, who is against us?
There is no obstacle that confronts us that is insurmountable with the Lord’s help! How many times have I heard someone say, “But Pastor Jim, I can’t”……and they are right, we can’t, but God can. He can work through us and through our circumstances to accomplish what we could never accomplish on our own.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
He may not obliterate our obstacle rather, He may lead us on a new path we have never been on or used before. He may even require that we walk right up to the obstacle and dip our feet in the water. The key is keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(2) Focus on our own Preparation
It might be that the obstacle cannot be overcome because our own hearts are not right. Israel was told to “consecrate yourselves” so that they would not stand in the way of God working. It could be that we fail to focus on His presence because we have not prepared ourselves to even see or expect His help. It may be that we have not shed those encumbrances that hinder us.
(3) Focus on God’s Promises
God promised Israel this land, and His promises never fail. He promised Joshua that He was going to exalt him before the people, and that He was doing.
2 Peter 1:4
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us….the same promise He gave to Joshua (Josh. 1:5).
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say,
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"
(4) Focus on God’s Power
He is the “living God” and He dwells among His people. He can move our obstacles if we will trust Him.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
A SPY STORY PT.2 - JOSHUA 2:14-24
Everyone loves a good story, especially one which has all the elements of intrigue, suspense, mystery, interesting characters, redemption and a happy ending. All of these elements can be found in the story of the two spies and Rahab the Harlot.
The last time we met we noted that there are five chapters to this great story found in Joshua chapter 2. We looked at the first three chapters then.
Chapter 1 – The Commission of the Spies – v.1
Chapter 2 – The Concealment of the Spies – v.2-7
Chapter 3 – The Confession of Rahab’s Faith – v.8-14
In her confession she revealed the depth of her amazing faith acknowledging a conviction about God’s purposes (v.9b), God’s power (v.10-11a), God’s sovereignty (v.11b), and God’s mercy (v.12-13).
In the midst of her pagan environment and in the midst of this gracious light that she had received, she believed and then acted on her faith (Hebrews 11:31).
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
What were the others disobedient to? The light they had been given. She was obedient and they were not. This is always how it works with the light of the truth. Some respond, most do not. “Many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).
The last time we met we noted that there are five chapters to this great story found in Joshua chapter 2. We looked at the first three chapters then.
Chapter 1 – The Commission of the Spies – v.1
Chapter 2 – The Concealment of the Spies – v.2-7
Chapter 3 – The Confession of Rahab’s Faith – v.8-14
In her confession she revealed the depth of her amazing faith acknowledging a conviction about God’s purposes (v.9b), God’s power (v.10-11a), God’s sovereignty (v.11b), and God’s mercy (v.12-13).
In the midst of her pagan environment and in the midst of this gracious light that she had received, she believed and then acted on her faith (Hebrews 11:31).
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
What were the others disobedient to? The light they had been given. She was obedient and they were not. This is always how it works with the light of the truth. Some respond, most do not. “Many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).
Monday, June 19, 2006
A SPY STORY PT.1 - JOSHUA 2:1-13
In studying the life of Joshua as he led the children of Israel into Canaan to conquer the land,some of the greatest spiritual lessons we can learn revolve around people who crossed his path. Such is the case with Rahab. No woman in all of Scripture stands out more boldly on the pages of Scripture as an object of God’s redeeming grace. In fact, she is mentioned in Hebrews 11 – the Old Testament hall of faith. Such greats as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses are listed there. And all are commended for their faith. And somewhat surprising, here is where we find the name of “Rahab the harlot.” Of her it is said: “By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace” (Heb. 11:31). (Gene A. Getz, Joshua: Defeat to Victory, pp. 42)
How did a harlot find her way into the Old Testament hall of faith?
Joshua 2 tells us how. The story in Joshua 2 is interesting because it is really two stories woven together into one. On the one hand it is a spy story involving suspense and intrigue – beginning that way and ending that way. On the other hand it is the story of a “shady lady” and her attempt to save her family from the coming judgment of God. In it we are amazed at the depth of her faith given her limited knowledge.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT - JOSHUA 1:10-18
In his book on “Spiritual Leadership,” J. Oswald Sanders says,
Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead. Famous leaders have always known this.
The great military leader Bernard Montgomery spoke of leadership in these terms: “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose, and the character which inspires confidence.” An outstanding example of this statement was Sir Winston Churchill….
Fleet Admiral Nimitz said: “Leadership may be defined as that quality that inspires sufficient confidence in subordinates as to be willing to accept his views and carry out his commands.”
General Charles Gordon once asked Li Hung Chang, a leader in China, two questions: “What is leadership? And how is humanity divided?” Li Hung replied: “There are only three kinds of people – those who are immovable, those who are movable and those who move them!”
John R. Mott, a world leader in student circles, believed that “a leader is a man who knows the road, who can keep ahead, and who pulls others after him.”
President Harry S. Truman (1945-53) said cogently: “A leader is a person who has the ability to get others to do what they don’t want to do, and like it.” (Spiritual Leadership, pp. 27-28)
Joshua was God’s chosen man to succeed Moses and to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. His task would be to rally the people to his side, then to move them out into this new endeavor. To take the immovable, make them movable, and then move them! This of course would not be an easy task and he knew it.
As he thought of the responsibility and the enormity of the task – he must have wondered if he was the right man for the job and had the right stuff to be the leader of this rag-tag group of people.
Knowing what Joshua was thinking and that Joshua needed to be encouraged, the Lord gives Joshua a pep talk if you will. A “pep talk” recorded for us in Joshua 1:1-9. This pep talk was intended to encourage and reassure Joshua, to let him know that he was indeed the right man for the job.
In His pep talk, the Lord did two things, first, He reaffirmed His promises (v.2-6) – the promise of the land, the promise of victory, the promise of presence and protection, and the promise of possession – second, He revealed to Joshua the key to success (v.7-9). The key to success would be obedience to the word.
Now as we approach v.10-18 it is Joshua’s turn to do some encouraging, to give a pep talk. Just as there was uncertainty with Joshua, there was uncertainty with the people, they needed to be reassured and encouraged as well. Joshua directs his charge / words of encouragement to two specific groups of people, (1) The Nation’s Elders; (2) The tribes of Rueben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua’s Charge to the Elders – v.10-11
This charge is a charge to prepare.
Joshua 1:10-11
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'" NAS
The word “then” connects this passage to the previous passage. In other words, after Joshua was encouraged by the Lord, he immediately went out to encourage the people.
The phrase officers of the people, is a reference to the civilian leaders i.e. the elders. We first meet these men in Exodus 18:13-27. Soon after leaving Egypt, Moses found himself spending all of his time and energy, judging disputes, explaining God’s law and mediating between God and the people.
His father-in-law Jethro arrived with Moses’ wife and sons and immediately recognized that there was a potential problem (18:13-18). Moses was in danger of wearing himself out because of the system and structure that was in place. So Jethro suggested that Moses select several special men to assist him in ministering to the people (18:19-27).
These were not to be just any men, but specially qualified men (18:21). They were to be,
o able men (skilled)
o men who fear God (spiritual)
o men of truth (scriptural)
o those who hate dishonest gain (separated)
In Numbers 11:16-17 the Lord Himself confirmed the use of this type of leadership structure.
Numbers 11:16-17
16 The LORD therefore said to Moses, "Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you shall not bear it all alone. NAS
Notice how these men were to help Moses bear the burden of the people so that Moses did not have to bear it all alone (v.17). In the same way the “officers of the people” were to assist Joshua in preparing and leading the people into the Promised Land (some have suggested that there were upwards of two million Israelites by now).
Joshua needed help in encouraging the people so he speaks to the officers and then the officers are to speak to the people. In fact notice that in……
o v.9 – God instructs Joshua
o v.10 – Joshua instructs the officers
o v.11 – The officers are to instruct the people
What are the officers to encourage the people to do? Prepare themselves for the crossing of the Jordan River and then into the land to possess it. Specifically, they were to prepare provisions for yourselves which no doubt included food and the other daily necessities of life.
In modern armies the quartermaster corps sees to it that each soldier has the necessary provisions, but with Israel, each family and clan had to provide for those things. Remember that the manna is still falling and would continue to do so until Israel was in the land and able to live off the fruit of the land (Joshua 5:10-12). Until then they had to be prepared.
“for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land”
The phrase, “within three days” has been problematic for some because it appears that it actually took about six day to cross the Jordan (Joshua 2:22; 3:2). Several attempts have been made to solve this seeming discrepancy.
Some have argued that the term “three days” is an idiomatic phrase that means “in a few days” (cf. Joshua 9:16).
Some argue that Joshua is simply estimating when they would cross the Jordan and since he did not anticipate the three day delay of the spies it actually took six. In other words, the mission of the spies delayed the original plans.
A third view states that the spies were sent out prior to v.1:11 and that the account in chapter 2 is parenthetical. The statement of v.3:2 then is synonymous with the command of 1:11. In this case, the crossing did actually occur within three days (see Paul Enns, Joshua: Bible Study Commentary, pp. 27).
We shouldn’t be afraid of Bible difficulties because there are always good sound solutions to be found. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “all scripture is given by inspiration.” In the midst of the unclear we don’t want to miss what is clear – the words of encouragement and assurance (v.11).
"Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'"
Forty years earlier, Joshua and Caleb had tried to encourage the previous generation – but they would not listen nor believe.
Numbers 13:30-33
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it." 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us." 32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." NAS
Numbers 14:6-10
6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us-- a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. NAS
Now, that generation was gone and it was time for this generation to believe God and move forward. It’s unfortunate but true that sometimes the only way God’s work can move forward is by the conducting of a few funerals.
Warren Wiersbe tells the story of a pastor friend of his who…..
Wiersbe goes on to say,
(2) They affirmed their care and concern – v.17b
There are several ways to look at the phrase, “only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses”
Some see the phrase as a condition of cooperation. “We will cooperate with you and obey you only if the Lord God is with you as He was with Moses.”
Others see it as a blessing or wish (as it is translated in the NASB), “only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” Understood this way, the phrase is a prayer.
Still others see it as an affirmation of fact, “only the Lord God will be with you as He was with Moses.” Moses is mentioned twice in their response (v.17) because they are affirming that Joshua is indeed Moses’ successor, in their eyes he has now fully assumed the mantle of leadership.
Which view is the right view is not clear, however the first view doesn’t fit the context of full cooperation. In the end, the NASB probably has it right.
As someone has said,
(3) They affirmed their commitment – v.18
The people took Joshua’s leadership seriously, and they took their responsibility seriously as well.
“Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous”
The phrase “shall be put to death” is a powerful statement of commitment.
Note the process of mutual encouragement….
o Leaders are encouraged by the Word
o Leaders encourage the people through exhortation and instruction
o The people encourage the leader through their cooperation, care and concern and commitment
This is how it should work in the church. What part of the process are you in? Are you doing your part?
Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead. Famous leaders have always known this.
The great military leader Bernard Montgomery spoke of leadership in these terms: “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose, and the character which inspires confidence.” An outstanding example of this statement was Sir Winston Churchill….
Fleet Admiral Nimitz said: “Leadership may be defined as that quality that inspires sufficient confidence in subordinates as to be willing to accept his views and carry out his commands.”
General Charles Gordon once asked Li Hung Chang, a leader in China, two questions: “What is leadership? And how is humanity divided?” Li Hung replied: “There are only three kinds of people – those who are immovable, those who are movable and those who move them!”
John R. Mott, a world leader in student circles, believed that “a leader is a man who knows the road, who can keep ahead, and who pulls others after him.”
President Harry S. Truman (1945-53) said cogently: “A leader is a person who has the ability to get others to do what they don’t want to do, and like it.” (Spiritual Leadership, pp. 27-28)
Joshua was God’s chosen man to succeed Moses and to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. His task would be to rally the people to his side, then to move them out into this new endeavor. To take the immovable, make them movable, and then move them! This of course would not be an easy task and he knew it.
As he thought of the responsibility and the enormity of the task – he must have wondered if he was the right man for the job and had the right stuff to be the leader of this rag-tag group of people.
Knowing what Joshua was thinking and that Joshua needed to be encouraged, the Lord gives Joshua a pep talk if you will. A “pep talk” recorded for us in Joshua 1:1-9. This pep talk was intended to encourage and reassure Joshua, to let him know that he was indeed the right man for the job.
In His pep talk, the Lord did two things, first, He reaffirmed His promises (v.2-6) – the promise of the land, the promise of victory, the promise of presence and protection, and the promise of possession – second, He revealed to Joshua the key to success (v.7-9). The key to success would be obedience to the word.
Now as we approach v.10-18 it is Joshua’s turn to do some encouraging, to give a pep talk. Just as there was uncertainty with Joshua, there was uncertainty with the people, they needed to be reassured and encouraged as well. Joshua directs his charge / words of encouragement to two specific groups of people, (1) The Nation’s Elders; (2) The tribes of Rueben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua’s Charge to the Elders – v.10-11
This charge is a charge to prepare.
Joshua 1:10-11
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'" NAS
The word “then” connects this passage to the previous passage. In other words, after Joshua was encouraged by the Lord, he immediately went out to encourage the people.
The phrase officers of the people, is a reference to the civilian leaders i.e. the elders. We first meet these men in Exodus 18:13-27. Soon after leaving Egypt, Moses found himself spending all of his time and energy, judging disputes, explaining God’s law and mediating between God and the people.
His father-in-law Jethro arrived with Moses’ wife and sons and immediately recognized that there was a potential problem (18:13-18). Moses was in danger of wearing himself out because of the system and structure that was in place. So Jethro suggested that Moses select several special men to assist him in ministering to the people (18:19-27).
These were not to be just any men, but specially qualified men (18:21). They were to be,
o able men (skilled)
o men who fear God (spiritual)
o men of truth (scriptural)
o those who hate dishonest gain (separated)
In Numbers 11:16-17 the Lord Himself confirmed the use of this type of leadership structure.
Numbers 11:16-17
16 The LORD therefore said to Moses, "Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you shall not bear it all alone. NAS
Notice how these men were to help Moses bear the burden of the people so that Moses did not have to bear it all alone (v.17). In the same way the “officers of the people” were to assist Joshua in preparing and leading the people into the Promised Land (some have suggested that there were upwards of two million Israelites by now).
Joshua needed help in encouraging the people so he speaks to the officers and then the officers are to speak to the people. In fact notice that in……
o v.9 – God instructs Joshua
o v.10 – Joshua instructs the officers
o v.11 – The officers are to instruct the people
What are the officers to encourage the people to do? Prepare themselves for the crossing of the Jordan River and then into the land to possess it. Specifically, they were to prepare provisions for yourselves which no doubt included food and the other daily necessities of life.
In modern armies the quartermaster corps sees to it that each soldier has the necessary provisions, but with Israel, each family and clan had to provide for those things. Remember that the manna is still falling and would continue to do so until Israel was in the land and able to live off the fruit of the land (Joshua 5:10-12). Until then they had to be prepared.
“for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land”
The phrase, “within three days” has been problematic for some because it appears that it actually took about six day to cross the Jordan (Joshua 2:22; 3:2). Several attempts have been made to solve this seeming discrepancy.
Some have argued that the term “three days” is an idiomatic phrase that means “in a few days” (cf. Joshua 9:16).
Some argue that Joshua is simply estimating when they would cross the Jordan and since he did not anticipate the three day delay of the spies it actually took six. In other words, the mission of the spies delayed the original plans.
A third view states that the spies were sent out prior to v.1:11 and that the account in chapter 2 is parenthetical. The statement of v.3:2 then is synonymous with the command of 1:11. In this case, the crossing did actually occur within three days (see Paul Enns, Joshua: Bible Study Commentary, pp. 27).
We shouldn’t be afraid of Bible difficulties because there are always good sound solutions to be found. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that “all scripture is given by inspiration.” In the midst of the unclear we don’t want to miss what is clear – the words of encouragement and assurance (v.11).
"Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'"
Forty years earlier, Joshua and Caleb had tried to encourage the previous generation – but they would not listen nor believe.
Numbers 13:30-33
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it." 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us." 32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." NAS
Numbers 14:6-10
6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, "The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us-- a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. NAS
Now, that generation was gone and it was time for this generation to believe God and move forward. It’s unfortunate but true that sometimes the only way God’s work can move forward is by the conducting of a few funerals.
Warren Wiersbe tells the story of a pastor friend of his who…..
….pleaded with his church board to build a new educational plant to house an exploding Sunday School. One of the long-time members of the board, a prominent business man in the city, said to him, “You’ll do this over my dead body!” And they did! A few days later, that officer had a heart attack and died; and the church moved ahead and built the much-needed educational plant.
Wiersbe goes on to say,
The older we get, the more danger there is that we’ll get set in our ways and become “sanctified obstructionists”; but it doesn’t have to happen. Caleb and Joshua were the oldest men in the camp, and yet they were enthusiastic about trusting God and entering the land. It isn’t matter of age; it’s a matter of faith; and faith comes from meditating on the Word of God (1:8; Rom. 10:17). How I thank God for the “senior saints” who have been a part of my ministry and have encouraged me to trust the Lord and move forward. (Be Strong, pp. 30)
So Joshua challenged the people to move forward in faith, to prepare themselves to go in and possess their possessions and he did through the Elders of the people.
Now, Joshua is going to challenge a specific group of Israelites in v.12-15.
Joshua’s Charge to the 2 ½ tribes – v.12-15
This charge is a charge to remember.
Joshua 1:12-15
12 And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.' 14 "Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, 15 until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise. " NAS
To understand the context of this charge we need to get a little background information (Numbers 32:1-42; Deuteronomy 2:26-3:20).
The tribes being addressed had already determined to remain on the east side of the Jordan (also called the Transjordan). This land had been conquered first and was ideal for grazing and feeding. Because these tribes had large numbers of livestock they asked Moses to give them this land as their inheritance. Moses acceded to their request but only if they agreed to certain conditions. The main condition being that they must fight alongside their brothers until the land west of the Jordan (also called the Cisjordan) was conquered, then and only then could they return to their families and their land to enjoy their inheritance or rest (v. 15a).
So, while Joshua charged the people in general through the Elders to prepare, he is charging the 2 ½ tribes specifically here to remember. Remember the promise they made to Moses and follow through. In fact, Joshua 1:13-15 is a direct quote of Deut. 3:18-20 (which suggests that Joshua already had access to a written document possibly the “Book of the Law”).
Joshua wanted the nation of Israel to remain united together in their conquest of the land. If they were to accomplish the possession of the land as God intended, everyone needed to be involved in the work.
There is a lesson here about our mutual responsibility to help each other to claim their inheritance (see the “one anothers” in the New Testament). We need to make sure that we don’t get to the point where we think we have arrived spiritually, and we must not think that we are no longer needed in the body. There is the danger for us of becoming borderline members out on the edges of the Promised Land (Joshua 22:10-34), never making the effort to belong to the church. Instead, we become casual attenders missing the blessing of accountability and mutual encouragement.
Interestingly there was some common sense applied to how this was carried out. In the nation of Israel only men who were 20 years and older went out to war (Num. 1:3). Out of the 136,930 men available from the 2 ½ tribes (Num. 26:7, 18, 34) only 40,000 actually crossed the Jordan to fight in the Promised Land (Josh. 4:13).
Obviously, the rest stayed behind to protect the women and children and the cities and land that had already been captured (Num. 32:1-5, 16-19). It was only when the 40,000 soldiers returned home that all could fully share in their inheritance (Josh. 22:6-8).
The Encouragement of Joshua, by the People – v.16-18
Joshua 1:16-18
16 And they answered Joshua, saying, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous." NAS
Who does they refer to? Some say the officers (v.10-11), some say the 2 ½ tribes (v.12-15), some say both. Clearly to me, both groups are in mind. These two groups, possibly along with the rest of the people, joined together to affirm their loyalty to Joshua. Their response is warm and enthusiastic and it serves to give encouragement back to Joshua (hence mutual encouragement).
They encouraged Joshua by doing three things.
(1) They affirmed their cooperation – v.16-17a
"All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go”
They had no hidden agendas and they asked for no concessions. They promised to obey all of his commands and to go wherever he would send them. Often times we are asked to do something that we don’t want to do, but because the leader asks us to do it we do it out of a spirit of cooperation. Nothing is more discouraging to a leader than uncooperative people!
Someone in one of the books I read pointed out ironically that the next lines may have not been so encouraging to Joshua.
“Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you”
David Howard writes,
There is no indication in the text that the people were anything but sincere in their words. However, the Israelites had been a very disobedient people over the years, despite earlier promises to obey. For example, when Moses brought them the laws that God had given him and read from the Book of the Covenant, they had solemnly sworn obedience, saying, “Everything the LORD has said we will do” and “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey” (Exod. 24:3,7). Yet, within a very short time, Aaron was leading the people in building a golden calf (Exod 32); and the Israelites’ subsequent history is replete with examples of complaining, rebellion, and outright disobedience. So, we must wonder about the people’s words here. If their promise was to obey Joshua in the same way they had obeyed Moses, the prospects were not as bright as they may first appear, since, of course, they did not “fully obey” Moses (Joshua: NAC, pp. 94).Cooperation is the key to mutual encouragement. Not only did they affirm their cooperation but they also affirmed their care and concern.
(2) They affirmed their care and concern – v.17b
There are several ways to look at the phrase, “only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses”
Some see the phrase as a condition of cooperation. “We will cooperate with you and obey you only if the Lord God is with you as He was with Moses.”
Others see it as a blessing or wish (as it is translated in the NASB), “only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” Understood this way, the phrase is a prayer.
Still others see it as an affirmation of fact, “only the Lord God will be with you as He was with Moses.” Moses is mentioned twice in their response (v.17) because they are affirming that Joshua is indeed Moses’ successor, in their eyes he has now fully assumed the mantle of leadership.
Which view is the right view is not clear, however the first view doesn’t fit the context of full cooperation. In the end, the NASB probably has it right.
As someone has said,
The best thing that we can do for those who lead us is to pray for them daily and ask God to be with them. Joshua was a trained man with vast experience, but that was no guarantee of success. No Christian worker succeeds to the glory of God apart from prayer. “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” asked Corrie Ten Boom, a question that especially applies to those in places of leadership. When Joshua did not pause to seek the mind of God, he failed miserably (Josh 7 and 9); and so will we (Be Strong, pp. 32).The people encouraged Joshua by affirming their cooperation, by affirming their care and concern and by affirming their commitment.
(3) They affirmed their commitment – v.18
The people took Joshua’s leadership seriously, and they took their responsibility seriously as well.
“Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous”
The phrase “shall be put to death” is a powerful statement of commitment.
If God’s people today saw obedience to Christ a matter of life or death, it would make a big difference in our ministry to a lost world. We obey the Lord’s orders if we feel like it, if it’s convenient, and if we can get something out of it. With soldiers like that, Joshua would never have conquered the Promised Land!” (Be Strong, pp. 33)This the fourth time in this chapter Joshua has been encouraged to be strong and courageous (v.6, 7, 9, 18). When you read the rest of the book you discover that Joshua obviously got the message.
Note the process of mutual encouragement….
o Leaders are encouraged by the Word
o Leaders encourage the people through exhortation and instruction
o The people encourage the leader through their cooperation, care and concern and commitment
This is how it should work in the church. What part of the process are you in? Are you doing your part?
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
A PEP TALK FROM GOD - JOSHUA 1:1-9
Joshua 1:1
1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, NAS
Someone has said, “God buries His workers, but His work goes on!” This is true because God’s human leaders cannot lead forever, even the best of them. You see, there comes a time in every ministry when God calls for a new beginning with a new generation and new leadership, just as was the case with the nation of Israel.
Joshua 1:1 begins with the reminder that things change…..gone was Moses, “the servant of the Lord.” He had accomplished his task as the great deliverer and the great lawgiver – never again would there be another like him (Deut. 34:5-12). Gone also is the generation that came out of the bondage of Egypt with Moses….having perished in the wilderness because of their unbelief (the exception being Joshua and Caleb).
Now the burden of leading the people into the next phase of God’s plan has fallen on, “Joshua the son of Nun, Moses servant” (Num. 27:12-23; Deut. 31:1-8, 23). No doubt, as Joshua thought of the task ahead and the degree of responsibility he had been given, he wondered whether he was up to the task.
After all, hadn’t the people that he was about to lead spent thirty days weeping and mourning over Moses’ death (Deut. 34:8)? No doubt, questions flooded his thoughts.
§ Would the people accept him as their new leader?
§ Would they follow him as they went out into battle?
§ What if he failed?
§ What if the people rebelled against his leadership?
1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, NAS
Someone has said, “God buries His workers, but His work goes on!” This is true because God’s human leaders cannot lead forever, even the best of them. You see, there comes a time in every ministry when God calls for a new beginning with a new generation and new leadership, just as was the case with the nation of Israel.
Joshua 1:1 begins with the reminder that things change…..gone was Moses, “the servant of the Lord.” He had accomplished his task as the great deliverer and the great lawgiver – never again would there be another like him (Deut. 34:5-12). Gone also is the generation that came out of the bondage of Egypt with Moses….having perished in the wilderness because of their unbelief (the exception being Joshua and Caleb).
Now the burden of leading the people into the next phase of God’s plan has fallen on, “Joshua the son of Nun, Moses servant” (Num. 27:12-23; Deut. 31:1-8, 23). No doubt, as Joshua thought of the task ahead and the degree of responsibility he had been given, he wondered whether he was up to the task.
After all, hadn’t the people that he was about to lead spent thirty days weeping and mourning over Moses’ death (Deut. 34:8)? No doubt, questions flooded his thoughts.
§ Would the people accept him as their new leader?
§ Would they follow him as they went out into battle?
§ What if he failed?
§ What if the people rebelled against his leadership?
Friday, June 09, 2006
INTRODUCTION: “JOSHUA: THE BOOK AND THE MAN” PT.2
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
1 Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there." 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. 7 Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. 8 So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.
9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 for all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. NAS
Even the casual reader of this last chapter of Deuteronomy cannot but help being moved by the scene described. Moses, the faithful servant of God – aged but not weary, is allowed to go up to the top of Mt. Pisgah and view the Promised Land one last time. After this special privilege – Moses dies and is buried in an undisclosed location.
For thirty days the children of Israel wept and mourned for him after which they record this epitaph, “Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deut. 34:10). Yet, God does not leave His people leaderless! Instead, He already has chosen a man to take the place of Moses. This successor to Moses is Joshua.
1 Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there." 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. 7 Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. 8 So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.
9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 for all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. NAS
Even the casual reader of this last chapter of Deuteronomy cannot but help being moved by the scene described. Moses, the faithful servant of God – aged but not weary, is allowed to go up to the top of Mt. Pisgah and view the Promised Land one last time. After this special privilege – Moses dies and is buried in an undisclosed location.
For thirty days the children of Israel wept and mourned for him after which they record this epitaph, “Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deut. 34:10). Yet, God does not leave His people leaderless! Instead, He already has chosen a man to take the place of Moses. This successor to Moses is Joshua.
Monday, June 05, 2006
INTRODUCTION - “JOSHUA: THE BOOK AND THE MAN” PT.1
If you could get into a time machine and travel back to about 1400 B.C. – you would step out into a drastically different world than the one we know today. You would find yourself in the late Bronze Age still a thousand years away from the establishment of the great Mayan culture and six-hundred years before the Etruscans would begin their move to Italy.
We are going to be spending the next several weeks studying the book of Joshua, which is a written record of how that drama was played out. As we embark on this trip back in time you will discover that there are great practical lessons that can be learned from the past, lessons that can help us be successful in the present.
In Crete are some great palaces, built by the Minoans; the people are preparing for what will be known as the Trojan War. Tyre and Sidon are flourishing cities. The Elamites are at their very zenith in what we now know as Iran. The code of Hammurabi is known, and in many ways it’s enabling the Assyrians to expand their great world empire.
The Egyptians are constantly building; the famous King Tut may very well be at the zenith of his power. In Africa the Ethiopian dynasty is just beginning. In India you might see the very first signs of an Indian literature emerging. The potter’s wheel, the calendar and brush writing are found in China. It is 2,500 years before Vasco da Gama or Magellan or Columbus. It is in the time of Joshua, the son of Nun.
As you get out of your time machine you will be standing on the edge of what historians and geographers like to call the Fertile Crescent. And there the continuing drama of Hebrew history is being played out. (This is Your Land Paul E. Toms pp. 5)
We are going to be spending the next several weeks studying the book of Joshua, which is a written record of how that drama was played out. As we embark on this trip back in time you will discover that there are great practical lessons that can be learned from the past, lessons that can help us be successful in the present.
A New Series
I am going to begin posting sermons from a series I did a few years back when I was the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Wasco. These were Sunday night messages that our people seemed to really enjoy. I hope they will be a blessing to you as well.
As a side note: I will be posting one and maybe two per week but no more than that. In between sermons from Joshua I hope to be able to add a miscellaneous post or two.
As a side note: I will be posting one and maybe two per week but no more than that. In between sermons from Joshua I hope to be able to add a miscellaneous post or two.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Psalm 23 - Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
These are the main resources that I used while developing the series on Psalm 23. I hope these resources can be a help to you as well.
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms Vol. 1, Psalms 1-41, Baker, 1994
Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks a Psalm 23, Zondervan, 1970
Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72, Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, IVP, 1973
Herbert Lockyer, God’s Book of Poetry: Meditations from the Psalms, Nelson, 1983
John Phillips, Exploring the Psalms Vol. 1, Psalms 1-88, Loizeaux Brothers, 1988
Haddon W. Robinson, The Good Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm 23, Moody, 1968
Allen P. Ross, Psalms: The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, Victor Books, 1985
C.H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David Vol. 1, Hendrickson,
Mark A. Tabb, Psalm 23: Song of the Shepherd, Moody, 1999
Elmer A. Towns, Psalm 23 Series, Sermon.com (http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47630&ContributorID=7902) *Taken from: Praying the 23rd Psalm, Elmer L. Towns, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 2001
Willem A. VanGemeren, Psalms: Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 5, Zondervan, 1991
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, Victor, 2004
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms Vol. 1, Psalms 1-41, Baker, 1994
Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks a Psalm 23, Zondervan, 1970
Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72, Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, IVP, 1973
Herbert Lockyer, God’s Book of Poetry: Meditations from the Psalms, Nelson, 1983
John Phillips, Exploring the Psalms Vol. 1, Psalms 1-88, Loizeaux Brothers, 1988
Haddon W. Robinson, The Good Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm 23, Moody, 1968
Allen P. Ross, Psalms: The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, Victor Books, 1985
C.H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David Vol. 1, Hendrickson,
Mark A. Tabb, Psalm 23: Song of the Shepherd, Moody, 1999
Elmer A. Towns, Psalm 23 Series, Sermon.com (http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47630&ContributorID=7902) *Taken from: Praying the 23rd Psalm, Elmer L. Towns, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 2001
Willem A. VanGemeren, Psalms: Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 5, Zondervan, 1991
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, Victor, 2004
Psalm 23 - I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord forever
“goodness and lovingkindness”
How do we view this last verse in light of our Shepherd metaphor? How do goodness and lovingkindness (mercy) fit into the narrative? Granted, at first glance it is not that easy to see. However, with a little thought and imagination the metaphor becomes clear.
Herbert Lockyer writes,
God’s goodness is the expression of His compassion for us in providing us with the things that are essential to life. He is both beneficent and sympathetic to our circumstances and he responds accordingly. Goodness is related to grace.
According to Haddon Robinson,
God’s goodness has both a positive and a negative aspect to it. Positively, God gives to us and blesses us with many things. Negatively, God holds back those things that are harmful to us.
Psalms 27:13
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
NAS
Psalms 31:19
19 How great is Thy goodness,
Which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee,
Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee,
Before the sons of men!
NAS
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. NAS
James 1:17
17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. NAS
Lovingkindness or mercy here is the Hebrew word hesed which speaks of a “loyal love.” It includes the ideas of compassion, patience, forgiveness and help.
God’s lovingkindness or mercy is a reference to His covenantal commitment to His sheep as the Shepherd. Remember the opening line of this Psalm? “The LORD is my Shepherd.” As the Shepherd, He is committed to blessing His people with His everlasting love and compassion.
Psalms 86:15
15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
NAS
Psalms 103:17-18
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
18 To those who keep His covenant,
And who remember His precepts to do them.
NAS
Haddon Robinson puts it well,
As we have discovered about sheep, they need a great deal of provision and a whole lot of pardon!
Psalms 31:7-8
7 I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness,
Because Thou hast seen my affliction;
Thou hast known the troubles of my soul,
8 And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy;
Thou hast set my feet in a large place.
NAS
Psalms 94:17-18
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18 If I should say, "My foot has slipped,"
Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
NAS
Psalms 63:3-4
3 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise Thee.
4 So I will bless Thee as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Thy name.
NAS
“Surely…….will follow me all the days of my life”
The phrase “follow me” literally means pursue me. There is great confidence in this phrase.
Herbert Lockyer puts it this way,
No matter where we are, no matter what we’ve done, no matter what our circumstances might be, God’s goodness and lovingkindness is pursuing us, to uphold us, to care for us, forgive us and to challenge us.
"And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever"
There is some disagreement about what the house of the LORD refers to. Some see it is a reference to the sanctuary or tabernacle (Allen P. Ross for example). Some see it is a reference to heaven (Warren Wiersbe for example).
For me I like a more metaphorical understanding of the term. I think Haddon Robinson has it right when he says, in the phrase, “The house of the Lord” – David is not thinking so much about where he would be but who he would be with.
This brings us back to the idea we have been promoting throughout this study. David is describing for us in this Psalm a year in the life of a sheep. Phillip Keller writes,
Phillip Keller goes on to say that in his view the “house” is the family or household or flock of the Good Shepherd. He says that because the Shepherd is so good and loving and caring the sheep are deeply satisfied and do not want to stray. They want to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Because they didn’t belong to him he would have to take them back to their careless owner. It was a terrible experience for him. He tells of one particular incident.
John 10:9
9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. NAS
The way through the Door is quite simple. It involves two things: Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible tells us that Heaven is a free gift. It is not earned and it is not deserved.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. NAS
The reason we cannot earn entrance into the fold of God is because man is by nature a sinner. We could never do enough good to save ourselves because as sinners we could never meet God’s standard of righteousness, which is perfection.
Matthew 5:48
48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. NAS
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NAS
Our sin corrupts us completely. In fact, if the Lord didn’t call us, none of us could be “saved.”
Romans 3:10-11
10 as it is written,
"There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
NAS
God is a loving God who is full of mercy and grace.
1 John 4:8
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. NAS
Exodus 34:5-6
5 And the LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD. 6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; NAS
However, God is also a holy God who demands righteousness and justice for our sin.
Exodus 34:7
7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." NAS
How does God solve the apparent dilemma between His love and His justice? He solves it in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the infinite God / man left the glories of heaven and humbled Himself so that He might “taste death for everyone.” He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins and to bring about atonement. In His death He satisfied God’s justice and displayed God’s love.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NAS
Romans 5:8-11
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. NAS
When Jesus was on the cross he uttered the words “it is finished.” What was finished? The work of atonement. His death on the cross paid the debt of our sin, in full.
The key to receiving this deliverance from the consequences of our sins is faith. Faith is more than mental assent, it is more than just believing that God exists or that Jesus died on the cross. It is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for his gift of salvation.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life we are acknowledging that He is the risen and living Savior, that He is becoming the Lord of my life and that we have repented or turned away from of our sins.
Have you placed your faith in Christ alone? Is He the Lord of your life? Have you repented of your sins? If not you can do so today!
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. NAS
What about those of us who have already received eternal life and entered into God’s flock through the Door? Every day we are coming in contact with people “on the other side of the fence.” Do they see in us the joy and benefits of belonging to the Good Shepherd? Do they become envious of the contentment we have and the care we receive from our gracious Owner? Do they see that God’s goodness and lovingkindness is following us wherever we go? May it be so!
How do we view this last verse in light of our Shepherd metaphor? How do goodness and lovingkindness (mercy) fit into the narrative? Granted, at first glance it is not that easy to see. However, with a little thought and imagination the metaphor becomes clear.
Herbert Lockyer writes,
Goodness and mercy have been called “the two guardian angels, heavenly escorts,What a great thought that is. Goodness and lovingkindness are the two great helpers that assist the Shepherd in keeping the sheep on the right path.
and God’s sent messengers” commissioned to attend to each believer during all
the days of his or her pilgrimage. But in keeping with the imagery of this psalm, is it not more fitting to think of goodness and mercy as the two faithful sheepdogs the shepherd loved and valued? When a shepherd went before his sheep, doubtless his well-trained dogs at the rear kept the sheep from straying (God’s Book of Poetry: Meditations from the Psalms, pp. 81-82).
God’s goodness is the expression of His compassion for us in providing us with the things that are essential to life. He is both beneficent and sympathetic to our circumstances and he responds accordingly. Goodness is related to grace.
According to Haddon Robinson,
Goodness is getting those things that we do not deserve……The goodness of God is
found in immeasurable abundance and it touches every part of our lives. The
religion of the Bible is a practical, down-to –earth affair. Jesus taught that
God knows about the doctor bill, the visit to the dentist—and that we who trust
a good God can be sure that He will provide for those basic necessities of life.
You know this to be true if you have walked with the Shepherd in the past and
have seen all that He has done for you (The Good Shepherd: Reflections on Psalm
23, pp. 29)
God’s goodness has both a positive and a negative aspect to it. Positively, God gives to us and blesses us with many things. Negatively, God holds back those things that are harmful to us.
Psalms 27:13
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
NAS
Psalms 31:19
19 How great is Thy goodness,
Which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee,
Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee,
Before the sons of men!
NAS
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. NAS
James 1:17
17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. NAS
Lovingkindness or mercy here is the Hebrew word hesed which speaks of a “loyal love.” It includes the ideas of compassion, patience, forgiveness and help.
God’s lovingkindness or mercy is a reference to His covenantal commitment to His sheep as the Shepherd. Remember the opening line of this Psalm? “The LORD is my Shepherd.” As the Shepherd, He is committed to blessing His people with His everlasting love and compassion.
Psalms 86:15
15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
NAS
Psalms 103:17-18
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
18 To those who keep His covenant,
And who remember His precepts to do them.
NAS
Haddon Robinson puts it well,
Notice that God sends goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone, for we are sinners
needing forgiveness; not mercy alone, for we need many things besides
forgiveness. But they are linked to each other.
Goodness is
getting those things we do not deserve. Mercy is withholding those things we do
deserve. Goodness to provide, mercy to pardon (pp. 29).
As we have discovered about sheep, they need a great deal of provision and a whole lot of pardon!
Psalms 31:7-8
7 I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness,
Because Thou hast seen my affliction;
Thou hast known the troubles of my soul,
8 And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy;
Thou hast set my feet in a large place.
NAS
Psalms 94:17-18
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18 If I should say, "My foot has slipped,"
Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
NAS
Psalms 63:3-4
3 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise Thee.
4 So I will bless Thee as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Thy name.
NAS
“Surely…….will follow me all the days of my life”
The phrase “follow me” literally means pursue me. There is great confidence in this phrase.
Surely – because God never fails. Surely – because he does not begin a work he
doesn’t complete. Surely – because he will never leave us or forsake us
(Robinson, pp. 30).
Herbert Lockyer puts it this way,
There is never a day in the pilgrimage of the child of God when the heavenly
escorts of goodness and mercy are absent. All of our days not some of our days.
Days of storm and days of sunshine, days of trial as well as days of triumph,
days of pain as well as days of pleasure (God’s Book of Poetry: Meditations from
the Psalms, pp. 82).
No matter where we are, no matter what we’ve done, no matter what our circumstances might be, God’s goodness and lovingkindness is pursuing us, to uphold us, to care for us, forgive us and to challenge us.
"And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever"
There is some disagreement about what the house of the LORD refers to. Some see it is a reference to the sanctuary or tabernacle (Allen P. Ross for example). Some see it is a reference to heaven (Warren Wiersbe for example).
For me I like a more metaphorical understanding of the term. I think Haddon Robinson has it right when he says, in the phrase, “The house of the Lord” – David is not thinking so much about where he would be but who he would be with.
This brings us back to the idea we have been promoting throughout this study. David is describing for us in this Psalm a year in the life of a sheep. Phillip Keller writes,
The word “house” used here in the poem has a wider meaning than most peopleIn fact the phrase “I will dwell” conveys the idea of returning; the same verb is translated “He restores” in v.3.
could attach to it. Normally we speak of the house of the Lord as the sanctuary
or church or meeting place of God’s people. In one sense David may have had this
in mind. And, of course, it is pleasant to think that one would always delight
to be found in the Lord’s house.
But it must be kept in mind always, that the Psalmist, writing from the standpoint of a sheep, is reflecting on and recounting the full round of the year’s activities for the flock.
He has taken us from the green pastures and still waters of the home ranch, up through the mountain passes onto the high tablelands of the summer range. Fall has come with its storms and rain and sleet that drives the sheep down to the foothills and back to the home ranch for the long, quiet winter. In a sense this is coming home. It is a return to the fields and corrals and barns and shelters of the owner’s home. During all seasons of the year, with their hazards, dangers and disturbances, it is the rancher’s alertness, care and energetic management that has brought the sheep through satisfactorily (A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, pp. 137).
Phillip Keller goes on to say that in his view the “house” is the family or household or flock of the Good Shepherd. He says that because the Shepherd is so good and loving and caring the sheep are deeply satisfied and do not want to stray. They want to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Here is the sheep so utterly satisfied with its lot in life, so fully contented with the care it receives, so much “at home” with the shepherd that there is not a shred of desire to change.” Stated in simple, direct, rather rough ranch language it would be put like this, “Nothing will ever make me leave this outfit – it’s great! (pp. 136)Keller goes on to describe the condition of the sheep on the other side of the fence. He recalls the poor, sickly, malnourished, neglected, abused, and pest infected sheep of the heartless shepherd who owned the property next to his. They were always trying to get onto his property because he had made provision for his sheep.
Because they didn’t belong to him he would have to take them back to their careless owner. It was a terrible experience for him. He tells of one particular incident.
I recall clearly coming across three of my neighbor’s ewes lying helpless under a fir tree near the fence one drizzly day. They were like three old, limp, gray, sodden sacks collapsed in a heap. Even their bony legs would no longer support them.He then proceeds to make a very important spiritual application.
I loaded them up into a wheelbarrow and wheeled them back to their heartless owner. He simply pulled out a sharp killing knife and slit all three of their throats. He couldn’t care less (pp. 139)
Right there the graphic account of Jesus portrayed of Himself as being the doorKeller goes on to remind us that there is only one way into the fold of God and that is through the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.
and entrance by which sheep were to enter His fold flashed across my mind.
Those poor sheep had not come into my ranch through the proper gate. I had never let them in. They had never really become mine. They had not come under my ownership or control. If they had, they would not have suffered so. Even starting out under my management they would have been given very special care.
In short, they tried to get in on their own. It simply spelled disaster. What made it doubly sad was that they were doomed anyway. On the old impoverished ranch they would have starved to death in the winter.
Likewise with those apart from Christ. The old world is a pretty wretched ranch and Satan is a heartless owner. He cares not a wit for men’s souls or welfare. Under his tyranny there are hundreds of hungry, discontented hearts who long to enter into the household of God – who ache for His care and concern (pp. 140)
John 10:9
9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. NAS
The way through the Door is quite simple. It involves two things: Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible tells us that Heaven is a free gift. It is not earned and it is not deserved.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. NAS
The reason we cannot earn entrance into the fold of God is because man is by nature a sinner. We could never do enough good to save ourselves because as sinners we could never meet God’s standard of righteousness, which is perfection.
Matthew 5:48
48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. NAS
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NAS
Our sin corrupts us completely. In fact, if the Lord didn’t call us, none of us could be “saved.”
Romans 3:10-11
10 as it is written,
"There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
NAS
God is a loving God who is full of mercy and grace.
1 John 4:8
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. NAS
Exodus 34:5-6
5 And the LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD. 6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; NAS
However, God is also a holy God who demands righteousness and justice for our sin.
Exodus 34:7
7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." NAS
How does God solve the apparent dilemma between His love and His justice? He solves it in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the infinite God / man left the glories of heaven and humbled Himself so that He might “taste death for everyone.” He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins and to bring about atonement. In His death He satisfied God’s justice and displayed God’s love.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NAS
Romans 5:8-11
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. NAS
When Jesus was on the cross he uttered the words “it is finished.” What was finished? The work of atonement. His death on the cross paid the debt of our sin, in full.
The key to receiving this deliverance from the consequences of our sins is faith. Faith is more than mental assent, it is more than just believing that God exists or that Jesus died on the cross. It is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for his gift of salvation.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life we are acknowledging that He is the risen and living Savior, that He is becoming the Lord of my life and that we have repented or turned away from of our sins.
Have you placed your faith in Christ alone? Is He the Lord of your life? Have you repented of your sins? If not you can do so today!
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. NAS
What about those of us who have already received eternal life and entered into God’s flock through the Door? Every day we are coming in contact with people “on the other side of the fence.” Do they see in us the joy and benefits of belonging to the Good Shepherd? Do they become envious of the contentment we have and the care we receive from our gracious Owner? Do they see that God’s goodness and lovingkindness is following us wherever we go? May it be so!
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