Lessons of Faith From Joshua — Memorials of Grace — Crossing the Jordan

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the fourth quarter of 2025 called Lessons of Faith From Joshua. We are studying the lesson for week 3 called Memorials of Grace.    

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When you face the impossible — the sea in front and the army behind — peace comes not from escaping the storm but from trusting the One who commands the winds and waves.

Crossing the Jordan

(page 23 of Standard Edition)

Read Joshua 3:1–5 and Numbers 14:41–44. Why did God ask the

Israelites to specially prepare for what was about to happen?

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This is the first time the ark of the covenant is mentioned in the book of

Joshua. Until this point in the Old Testament narrative, the ark has appeared

in the context of the sanctuary (Exod. 40:21) in Israel’s journey from Sinai

(Num. 10:33–36), and at the unsuccessful attempt to begin the conquest of

Canaan (Num. 14:44). It was the most sacred object in the Israelite sanctuary,

and it held three objects, each expressing Israel’s special relationship with

God: (1) the tablets containing the Ten Commandments; (2) the rod of Aaron,

the high priest; and (3) a jar of manna (Exod. 16:33, Heb. 9:4).

The ark and the preparations to cross the Jordan reminded the

Israelites that they were not entering Canaan in their own manner and

time. The conquest would be successful only if they followed God’s

way and timing. God—who is described as enthroned above the cheru

bim that were covering the ark of the covenant (Exod. 25:22, Num.

7:89) and whose movements are identified with the ark’s movements—

enters Canaan in front of the Israelites as the One leading the conquest.

The term translated “sanctify” (Josh 3:5) or “consecrate” (ESV)

refers to a purification process similar to what the priests followed

before beginning their service in the sanctuary (Exod. 28:41, Exod.

29:1) and what the people of Israel carried out prior to God’s revela

tion at Sinai (Exod. 19:10, 14). This consecration involved the laying

aside of sin and the removal of all ritual impurities. The same command

appears in Numbers 11:18, relating to an impending miracle of God.

Such a preparation also was required before battles were fought in a

war (Deut. 23:14). Before God can fight for Israel in battle, they must

show their allegiance to Him and trust in Him as their Commander.

The miracle of crossing the Jordan was going to prove to the Israelites

that the Lord’s promise to drive out these people in the land could be

trusted. He who could secure a dry passage through the Jordan also could

grant them the gift of the land.

God does not always part the Jordan. His interventions are not

always so obvious. How do you think we can develop the spiritual

preparedness to experience and discern God’s interventions on

our behalf?

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Sermon Title: A Call To Sinners

Speaker: Pastor Sean Harris

Date: October 11, 2025

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