March 22, 2021

Get Your Feet Wet

Joshua 3 and Joshua 4

In these chapters, the Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground. To show that the Lord was with them, Joshua instructed the priests that were carrying the ark of the covenant to step into the Jordan River. As a sign of what was to come, God’s power would stop the flow of the waters so they could cross over.

As the Lord promised, they stepped into the water and it “rose up in a heap” (Joshua 3:16). The entire nation of Israel walked across the Jordan on dry ground. 

Once all the nation had crossed over, they took 12 stones from the middle of the river and built a memorial to God. These stones would remind them of His great faithfulness to Israel on this day.

“For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” - Joshua 4:23-24
Luke 2

Luke 2 begins with the narrative of Jesus’ birth. He is named "Jesus," another form of the Hebrew name Joshua which means, "the Lord saves." 

Next, Jesus is presented at the temple in obedience to the Law. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, is filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesies that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah. Anna was a prophetess who had served in the temple. She recognized baby Jesus as the Messiah who would redeem Jerusalem. Their words with Mary and Joseph served as encouragement and confirmation of Jesus’ divine purpose. 

Finally, the family makes their annual Passover journey to Jerusalem. The family caravan left to return home, only to discover later that Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem to find Him in the temple asking questions. Jesus returned home with them and grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.

“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” - Luke 2:49
Make It Personal
  • Do you have an obstacle in your life to cross? Ask God to be with you as He was with the Israelites. Ask Him to deliver you now as He has before.  
  • The Israelites built memorials of stones to remember God’s work in their lives. What miracles has He done in your life? Try starting a Journal to record His work in your life.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can serve and be about your Father’s business, as the boy Jesus was in the temple.
Learn More

Here is everything you need to know about the book of Joshua. 

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