“Be strong and courageous!” Those were the words of God himself to Joshua in the first chapter which we read yesterday. In fact, God there challenged him three times with those exact words. At the end of the chapter, when the whole nation committed themselves to Joshua and his leadership, they too encouraged him with those same words, “Be strong and courageous!”
Joshua’s courage, and that of all the Israelites was tested in chapters 3 and 4. God was about to lead them into the promised land, but it meant getting to the other side of the Jordan River. There was no bridge and the river was at flood stage. A most amazing miracle was about to happen! The priests were to carry the ark of the covenant into the river. As soon as their toes got wet, the flow of the river was disrupted. The current, flowing from the north to the south, completely stopped, and the water heaped up to their right. It was an invisible dam, accomplished by the almighty power of God. There’s no way to know how high that wall of water heaped, but it must have been quite a sight! No water flowed to the left. People downstream must have wondered what happened to the river? Not only did God stop the flow, but the whole nation then walked across the riverbed into the promised land. Not only did they walk across the riverbed, but it says they walked on dry ground! You can imagine the mud and muck at the bottom of the Jordan. How long would that have taken to dry up naturally? A few years ago, I baptized a young lady in a pond. After immersing her, we attempted to return to shore, but my feet were quickly sinking into the mud, so much so that I began to sink. We both needed help getting out of the water. God not only stopped the flow of the Jordan, but he instantaneously dried up the riverbed. A miracle indeed!
One more thought before we move on. Joshua 4:24 says, “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful, and so that you might always fear the LORD your God!” To fear God is to have a holy revere for him, that is, a deep respect and admiration.
Psalm 33 is a Psalm of praise and acknowledgment of who the LORD is, what he has done, his obvious worthiness of worship. Notice especially the teaching in V. 8, “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him!” See also V. 18, “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love . . .” This reveals the call, and good reason for all people to respect and worship the LORD!
As you read Mark 16, you’ll probably see a note that verses 9-20 are not included in the most reliable early manuscripts. That’s not to suggest that those events never happened, nor that those words were never said. They may, or may not have happened or been said, but there’s doubt that they were originally part of Mark’s gospel. Most of these references are verified in other scriptural accounts. I will mention that some suggest a diminished importance for water baptism since Jesus’ words in verses 15 & 16 may or may not have ever been put quite like it’s worded here. One should never propagate a teaching or position based solely on one questionable passage. However, this questionable passage does not negate the numerous other scriptures that teach water baptism and its significance as a step in the process of salvation.
Reflection Questions
- Joshua was clearly called and equipped to serve the LORD. In what ways do you feel called and equipped to serve?
- Have you ever needed the encouragement to be strong and courageous when you knew you needed to do the right thing?
- Have you yourself submitted to the waters of baptism as taught and practiced in the book of Acts, as symbolically explained in Romans 6, and with the promise of Galatians 3?
Prayer
“Heavenly Father, thank you for the historical record of men and events such as we read in the book of Joshua. Thank you for the teaching and challenge we find in Psalm 33, that we should fear, revere you, that we should put our hope in you, and that your eyes are upon those who do. Thank you again for your son Jesus, and for the hope we can have in the kingdom because of him! In his name. Amen!”
Seek Grow Love 