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The Crossing of The
Jordan - Part 1
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Introduction
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1) |
The crossing of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:13-31) and the Jordan (Josh.
3:8-4:24) are two momentous events in the lives of the ancient
Israelites. In these events there are both similarities and
contrasts as the following table shows. |
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a) |
The crossing of the Jordan meant leaving the wilderness journey
and going to the land their eyes had never seen, and to possess
it as their inheritance from God. |
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2) |
As with virtually all miracles, there was actually at least
three, and possibly four inter-related miracles at the crossing
of the Red Sea: |
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a) |
The parting of the sea (Ex. 14:21; Josh. 3:13, 16; 4:7) |
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b) |
The drying of the sea bed (Ex. 14:22, 29; Josh. 3:17) |
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c) |
The returning of the sea after the Egyptians were in the water
or the Israelites had crossed (Ex. 14:26-28; Josh. 4:18) |
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3) |
There are distinct similarities between the crossing of the Red
Sea and that of Jordan: |
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a) |
After the crossing of the Red Sea there was the song of
redemption, but after the crossing of the Jordan there was a
memorial set up. |
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The crossing of the
Red Sea in Exodus |
Reference |
The crossing of the
Jordan in Judges |
Reference |
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The song celebrating
God’s mighty delivering
power from the Egyptian
armies |
ch. 15:1-21
Rev. 15:3 |
The setting up of Stones
for a memorial |
ch. 4:3, 6-9 |
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The full deliverance
from Egypt by the death
of the enemy |
ch. 14:24-31 |
The pledge of entrance
and inheriting the
inheritance |
ch. 3:10-11 |
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The sea was forced back
by a strong east wind |
ch. 14:21 |
The river was made to
stand up in a heap |
ch. 3:13 |
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They crossed during the
night |
ch. 14:21,
cp. v. 27 |
They crossed during the
day |
ch. 4:3, 6-9 |
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They were led by the
pillar of the cloud |
ch. 14:19 |
They were led by the
priests carrying the Ark |
ch. 3:3 |
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Because of rebellion
against the purpose of
God the enemies died |
ch. 14:23--30 |
Because of rebellion
against the mind of God
the enemies died |
ch. 6:21; 24:11 |
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This event was followed
by the law and
construction of God’s
dwelling place |
ch. 20:1-17
25:1-27:21;
30:1-8 |
This event was followed
by the promise of the
inheritance and right of
circumcision |
ch. 5:2-9 |
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The adamancy of the
enemies saying, “I will
pursue” |
ch. 15:9 |
The inhabitants
of the land, their hearts
melted
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ch. 5:1 |
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After the crossing the
children of Israel saw
the dead lying and saw
them no more |
ch. 14:30-31 |
After the crossing the
children and
grandchildren saw a heap
of stones memorializing
the event |
ch. 4:20-24 |
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References in Exodus |
Similarity |
References in Joshua |
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ch. 14:9, 16 |
Both are related to
water - a formidable
barrier |
ch. 3:15 |
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ch. 14:31 |
Both authenticated the
man who was God’s
appointed leader |
ch. 3:7 |
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ch. 14:22, 29 |
Both cases they passed
over on dry ground |
ch. 3:17; 4:1, 10, 11,
12, 13, 23 |
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ch. 15:2-21 |
Both were celebrated
with songs of praise |
Psa. 114:1-8 |
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These contrasts and similarities are not just a matter of
observation. As the inspired Word of God, they are for our
instruction. For instance: |
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a) |
The contrasts between the Egyptians and those of Jericho
show the results of the unsaved
being aware of God’s presence with His people. In the case of
the Egyptians, they rose in rebellion (Ex. 14:5-10) but
the citizens of Jericho etc., they were afraid for that which
lay ahead (Josh. 2:9-11). |
The Significance of Crossing The
Jordan
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There are at least three delightful truths relating to the
children crossing the Jordan: |
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a) |
The obstacles we all face when a loved one who is close to us by
the ties of nature and is a believer dies, or an obstacle seems
to terminate a hope in life. |
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b) |
The truth of the stones and ark together in the Jordan and
ultimately the uniting of Christ with His own in death and in
resurrection. |
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c) |
That of eternal security |
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The obstacles we all face when a loved one who is close to us by
the ties of nature and is a believer dies, or an obstacle seems
to terminate a hope in life. |
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a) |
When the children of Israel came to the Jordan they faced that
which was much worse than anything they had ever faced before.
There is no doubt the Red Sea was a situation which caused
anxiety and apparent hopelessness and loss of all hopes and
dreams. However, the Red Sea was not overflowing its banks, it
was in the wet season, so the situation seemed totally
hopeless. This was an obstacle that was seemingly the terminus
of all their hopes and dreams and the promises of God to Abraham
and them. |
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i) |
The Scriptures record a number of individuals who, in a crisis
of life, felt that all hopes
were dashed and nothing was left but despondency and broken
hearts. For instance: |
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1. |
It was a dark day to the sisters
when Lazarus died and was buried (Jn. 11:17, 19), but the Lord
came and Lazarus rose from the dead (Jn. 11:34-44). |
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2. |
Or what sorrow filled the heart of Jairus when he heard that his
little daughter had died (Mk. 5:23, 35), but Jesus came and the
child rose from the dead (Mk. 5:40-42). |
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3. |
What of the heart of Mary as she stood by the tomb of the Lord (Jn.
20:11, 13, 15),
or the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13, 20-21);
or Peter when he waited to see the end (Matt. 26:58). However,
when the Lord was brought into the situations, gladness filled
the hearts. |
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b) |
When considering that the one who has died is a believer, dark
as the hour is, God can be thanked that not even death is the
end for the journey. (See
http://www.scripturaltruths.org/Articles/Writings%20by%20Rowan%20Jennings/DOCTRINES%20OF%20SCRIPTURE%20-%20LISTINGS.htm
on the death of a believer, Part 1 and 2). |
The Miracle
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1) |
The avenues by which to consider the miracle. There is, to my
understanding, four avenues by which to consider this wonder.
They are: |
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a) |
Historically: |
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At what juncture in Israel’s history did this occur? |
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ii) |
The feelings of depression when first seeing the overflowing
river, yet there is no murmuring here about being brought into
the wilderness to die as the earlier generation had done (Ex.
14:11). These people believed the message of God (Josh.
3:9-13). |
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b) |
By Application: |
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i) |
Our approaching physical death, our wilderness journey is past,
the overflowing flood of death has placed us beyond all medical
help, but Christ has gone there first (as prefigured in the Ark)
functioning in priestly activity. He offered Himself without
spot to God and the effect of His being there assures us of our
safe passage through death and entrance into our inheritance. |
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c) |
As a foreshadow: |
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i) |
What is the inheritance we have? I am aware that some teach that
we have two inheritances, one now and one later. Such see the
inheritances of 1 Peter 1:4 and Ephesians 1:18 as different.
However, it is my understanding that the references to our
inheritance in Ephesians and the Epistle of Peter both are
related to the future. That being said, I also believe that
we can enjoy the blessedness of
the future inheritance even now. When Paul wrote, “But as it is
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him” (1 Cor. 2:9), he is referring to the
blessings of our eternal state. HOWEVER, seldom do we hear the
next clause quoted which says, “But God hath revealed them unto
us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the
deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10), and that refers to the
present time. |
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ii) |
An inheritance is that which is
bestowed upon us normally due to a death, and our inheritance in
Heaven (1 Pet. 1:4) of which the
Holy Spirit is the earnest (Eph. 1:14); or our place
among the saints (Col. 1:12). In Ephesians 1:18 there is
presented a deeper truth, which is His inheritance in the
saints. |
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iii) |
What are some aspects of our inheritance which we can enter into
now? I suggest some of them are the following: |
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1. |
It is a sphere of rest, not from the concerns of having ceased
from our own works (Heb. 4:10). It is also the place of rest
from all our labours (Rev. 14:13). In that sphere there is no
anxiety, all is perfect peace. |
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2. |
We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, but it is
only to the extent that we face the enemy and defeat the world,
flesh and Satan that we can enter into the fulness of the
blessings of our inheritance. |
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d) |
Practical encouragement: |
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i) |
As the children of Israel approached the Jordan, and perhaps
before they discovered that it was not just the usual river, but
was overflowing its banks! It was now more than an obstacle,
but an obstacle of stupendous proportions that definitely
hindered their way to the promised land. Perhaps some might
have said that it was a pity they had not been there earlier, or
if only God had moved them a bit quicker, but this sort of
discussion would not help their present situation. There are
times in life when we also are faced with obstacles, not only in
life but in our enjoyment of our spiritual inheritance and our
entering into its fulness. However, God was and is and ever will
be greater than any obstacle, and knows all about the enormity
of them long before we are aware of them. The only thing that
can hinder our full entrance into our inheritance is the same as
that which hindered Israel, disobedience or unbelief (Heb. 4:1). |
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2) |
The contrast between the titles of Christ at the Red Sea and the
Jordan: |
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At the Red Sea it is the LORD (Ex. 14:14, 21, 24, 25, 26, 30,
31); the angel of God (Ex. 14:19). |
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b) |
At the Jordan the Lord is referred to as: the “LORD” (Josh.
3:7); “LORD your God” (Josh. 3:3); “living God” (Josh. 3:10);
“The LORD, the LORD of all the earth” (Josh. 3:13). |
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. . .
Rowan Jennings
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