The land of promise

So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.

Joshua 3:14-17 NLT

We were not told if there was a natural disaster that blocked the flow of the Jordan River. No matter what had caused this phenomenon, it was brought about by the miracle of God. The faith of the Israelites was rewarded. When Moses was alive, they were in touch with God based on their observance of the law. Then when Joshua came and led them, the people exercised their faith and God brought them to the land of promise. The meaning of the name of Joshua is “the Lord of my salvation.” Spiritually speaking Joshua’s name signified what the Lord Jesus Christ will accomplish through His death on the cross. Those who will place their faith and trust in Christ will enter eternity with God in heaven. The Israelites passed from death to life because they believed. Same thing happens to those that believed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24). What an amazing miracle happened to the Israelites. They could have died in the overflowing waters of the Jordan River. The reason why the former generation did not gain the promise was because of their unbelief. Now this generation that trusted God’s promise inherited the land, its riches, and its full blessings. Abundant life replaces anxiety and insecurity. Those who identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection will live a vibrant and overflowing life. You will never get into the land of promise if you stop at the brink and remain having unbelief.

Blessings,