Promised Land Pasta...

Last Sunday we discussed an overall view of the book of Joshua with an emphasis on thinking about the symbolism of the book.  Joshua obviously tells the "next chapter" in the history of God's people, but it stands for much more than that.  We see God's character continually revealed as we study the scripture, and in this case we see the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people to the promised land.  We see in this particular book that God finished what he started so many years ago by safely delivering His people into the land of Canaan.

Some say that the whole idea of crossing the Jordan and moving on to the promised land represents heaven and our own crossing at the end of our lives.  I can see why they say that and I don't have any big objection to that kind of analogy.  But I see some other applications of the book as well.

As Christians, we are called to a different kind of life.  A life with God.  We could go on and on about exactly what that means- "a life with God"- but for now let us just say that it is a calling to a higher standard than the world and it is a calling to be set apart.  In a very real sense, the crossing of the Jordan, I think, represents making that choice- the choice to pursue that life with God with your whole heart.  As the Israelites came through the waters of the Jordan in order to live in the place God intended, so we come through the waters of baptism to live in a spiritual "promised land" with God.

After the Joshua and the people crossed into the promised land, the work was not done.  There was opposition on all sides and there was difficulty and war and conquest and struggle...  it was not like the "retiring to live the good life" picture that we sometimes get in our minds.  There was still work to do and there were still opposing forces to deal with and the people could not let their guard down, lest they be influenced by other cultures that were not God-fearing.  The same is true for us.  When we make the choice to align ourselves with God we live in the wonderful reassurance of our salvation.  But the work is not done and we are not immune to the influence of this world.  It is our task to live in this "promised land", given by God, in obedience to His word.

When you read through Joshua 3 and 4, there are a few things that stand out:

The first words of Joshua 3 are "Early in the morning..."  I don't know if this is what God intended for use to get from little things like Joshua 3:1, but I cannot help but think that leaders have to do the extra work.  Joshua was committed to being "God's man" and wanted to lead the people- not for his own glory, but for God's glory.  I think that anyone who aspires to that kind of leadership has to realize that extra work is a part of it.  It means getting up early.  It means staying up late.  It means pouring out extra effort for the sake of God's kingdom.  The good news here is that we strive with all of "His" energy toward that end, (Col. 1:29)

Note that the passing from the west bank of the Jordan to the east bank was a daunting thing.  You have to think that very few, if any of the people who saw the parting of the Red Sea were still alive.  This was a new generation, and although I am sure they had heard the story, there were not there to see God roll back the waters of the Red Sea.  Now, here they were at the edge of the Jordan river, (at flood stage), and they had to get across.  Millions of people had to get across.  That was God's plan.  Go.  Cross.  So you know they had to be thinking, "How are we gonna pull this off?"  I think it is safe to say that it was a challenge to their faith.  So what do we learn from all of this?  If nothing else, there is this: the path of obedience often leads through challenge.  Now that thought is probably not news to most of us, but it is good for us to see that it has always been that way- God leads His people through challenge.

This is certainly not the only time, but in Joshua we see God's tendency to have His people establish a system of remembrance.  Joshua was instructed to build an alter in order to remind future generations of what God did in that place.  We do well when we do the same for our families and our descendants now.  When we develop our own "God-based" traditions in our own families, we build "altars" that serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness.

Well, there are a few thoughts about Joshua 3 and 4.  Now its time to move on!  Joshua 5 and 6 coming this Sunday!


Just Keep Swimming.....

Jon