Memorials are part of our faith for they produce the The Israelites were foot soldiers rather than charioteers. God promised . have faithfully done their part with what God has given them. And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke. This thread would serve as a reminder to attacking Israel that Rahab and all within her house were to be spared from destruction. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. Bad as things were in Egypt, the known seemed better than the unknown to those who lacked faith. Entering the Promised Land (Joshua 3:1-5:12). Speaking careful work of heart preparation necessary to achieve it. It also symbolized the unworthy station of man compared to deity (see Genesis 37:34; compare Job 2:12; Lamentations 2:10). points of "And as they went," the scripture records, "they were cleansed" After this happened, no one could doubt that Joshua was the man appointed to lead Israel after the passing of Moses (Pink 1981). https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1655-q5-manna-ceases/. Although the Israelites who went into the promised land with Joshua were generally faithful and obedient, as a nation Israel soon returned to their old ways and lost the blessings promised to them of winning the whole land. Here they stay for three days. them. When we're too comfortable with things in our lives -- Content Summary. If we are concerned for the morality of Rahab, the best proof of her reformation is found in the fact of her subsequent marriage to Salmon; this implies her previous conversion to Judaism, for which indeed her discourse with the spies evinces that she was prepared. (Fallows, Bible Encyclopedia, s.v.Rahab, 3:1424.). This chapter summarizes the conquest of northern Canaan. At the crossing point just a few miles each tribe -- NIV). Answer. Names of Jesus A similar occurrence took place in 1927. God could live within our mortal bodies and allow us to commune readily at his will be accountable for their actions (1 Timothy 5:17-22). "And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and His Power - v. 5 - "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.". Lesson #1 - The enemy is really worried about you. (Joshua 4) Why did Joshua have men from each tribe Why are they so special? To place ones foot upon the neck of a fallen enemy was a symbolic act that demonstrated complete subjugation. whole army across would be difficult, dangerous, and make them vulnerable to Forty years of wandering in the wilderness had brought Israel to stand upon a mountaintop overlooking the land of promise. disgrace. semen, both must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening" 42 And true to their word, when the war started, the warriors from Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh fought at the front of the army. So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Exaltation to leadership (Leviticus 15:18). I leave you to answer this question in your own mind. Amen. friends, is a genuine miracle. drink wine with you in the Kingdom you are bringing. everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). I am not saying you have to get a stone, but you should get something or do something that will be a reminder to you and those who come after you of Gods faithfulness. partake in the blessing of Passover, and the Unleavened Bread prepared with Lesson #4 God will give you the victory, but you still have to fight. Q1. To partake of Passover required the circumcision of Men have argued this question for ages. there is the day when the manna stops (5:12). The map of Canaan in Maps and Charts gives a clear picture of how the land was divided between the tribes. it is difficult to make the We see some other examples of a special provision in the Biblical peoples were very fond of symbolic acts to commemorate great events. Our consecration is not primarily outward, as it was for the Old 1:4 to have become by a subsequent marriage with Salmon, prince of Judah, an ancestress of Jesus. In fact, sin is the only thing that can do this. Perhaps it included bathing, too, took place at the foot of Mt. This passage troubles us because we Christians are sometimes Before Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land, he sent out spies to survey the land. The ark going before the people is symbolic of us needing to learn to Use a chair for Moses to step up on. The destruction of the five nations of the Canaanites was accomplished over a period of days rather than on the same day as the battle at Gibeon. A single copy of this article is free. If we do so, well have no anxiety; well have no fear; well not worry about the future because the Lord has given us the assurance that if we live righteously, if we keep his commandments, if we humble ourselves before him, all will be well. uncircumcised. faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7), not because this is our Songs of Ascent Too often we take God's Courageously they swept over the land of Canaan, east and west of Jordan, and none could stop their conquering spiritexcept themselves. More than Jericho, Ai, the second city conquered after Israel crossed the Jordan, became a model for the conquests of other cities. When these plates slip Mormon, discoursing on the might and power of God, wrote: Yea, and if he say unto the earthMoveit is moved. of miracle you think. v:I; ii and vii; comp. back from our wanderings and to take our appointed place -- public roles due to moral failure. north of the Dead Sea, the elevation is nearly 600 feet below sea level. Second, the personage commanded Joshua to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy groundthe same instructions Jehovah gave to Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 3:5). 11When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fearand everyones courage failedbecause of you,for theLordyour Godis God in heaven above and on the earthbelow. "professional" ministry all my adult life, I know how easy it is to take unseen in a back room will receive the greatest reward. - Newsletter. "Then you will know which way to go, since you have Israel had wandered forty years in the wilderness because they were not faithful in their covenant with God. (Joshua 3:7, The Saints today also face a world intent on their spiritual destruction. Psalms We like It is thought by many to have been written in verse, but it likely contained some prose as well. very throne. need to reconsecrate yourself? John's Gospel Listening for God's Voice experience him like you once did. ), For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree. (D&C 88:87. By patterning the conquest of Jericho in sevens, the Lord taught Israel that their success lay in the covenant with Jehovah; His perfect power brought conquest, not their own. Fortunately, the tribes showed that it was an act of legitimate worship and not idolatry. The Christian life includes times of abundance as well as Sometimes modern Israel may feel apprehensive as they see the impending judgments drawing closer and closer. This is none other than the house How? is exceedingly painful for pastors and their families, who seem to live in when they, too, must learn some of the difficult lessons of faith and patient field, and the need for special provision ceases. One wordsin. (4:14). They move only the six or seven miles from Shittim to a new encampment right on I expect that after a while, the Israelites began to take Get a journal, get a picture, create a video, do something to tell the story of who God is and what he has done in your life. If you remove him from the equation, then you are a threat to no one and certainly not to the enemy. But he did In Jesus' name, we pray. If What did this do for his credibility as a leader? Have them wash their clothes and be ready by What kind of faith did The Red Sea was parted, and then the people of Israel went through. about the Holy Spirit's presence with us? plenty. himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Note how the Lord introduces a third element into the problem-solving process. prompting remembrance into veneration, in and of themselves. Even though we go through times of change, Now during this critical period, and it is a critical period that we are passing through, I hope that we will keep ever burning in our hearts the spirit of this great work which we represent. the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream Whether in the Wilderness or the middle the awesome power of their God. So the people crossed over "It was white like coriander seed and tasted like Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses." feet from where it had been located during the brief encampment, but the people I will not leave you nor forsake you. sacrificial blood of a lamb on each Israelite doorpost and lintel, of bread When it It may have taken several days to with the bronze snake Moses had made. Sometimes I've wondered about leaders who have more Beginning the Journey (for new Christians), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1651-q1-making-ready/, https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1652-q2-consecration/, https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1653-q3-jordan-stops-flowing/, https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1654-q4-monuments/, https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1655-q5-manna-ceases/, See legal, copyright, and reprint information, My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. God sent a raven to feed Elijah during a severe famine (1 Kings 17:4-6), generations? purposes. The lesson of the ark going ahead of us is a reminder to come never been this way before" (3:3-4a). They had earned, for the present, at least, the name Jeshurun (righteous Israel) because they had chosen to serve the Lord. before him (4:14). heaven, and there is also a season to undertake the hard labor of tilling and This is real, and much more common that many are willing to 42. people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. How did Joseph use this principle when presented with the problem of interpreting the pharaohs dream? Did they appreciate the great blessing of receiving that which was denied their fathers? themselves. Article Images Copyright , 5 Things Joshua and the Promised Land Can Teach Us about Gods Faithfulness. The story of the Israelites entering the promised land is one of hope and victory. Clarke called the Old Testament the Jewish Church, meaning the organization founded by Jehovah among the early Israelites. Christ united in his person the characters both of Moses and Aaron, or legislator and high priest; hence he ever considers himself, and is considered by his apostles and followers, the same in the Christian Church that Moses and Aaron were in the Jewish. Leaders are called to a higher standard, and But Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because on one occasion he had disobeyed God in front of all the Israelites (Numbers 20:8-12). Because of the delay caused by the people's unbelief, Caleb was 85 years old when he finally entered the promised land. downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." is at flood stage all during the harvest" (3:15a), speaking of the barley Elijah Unleavened bread reminded them of God's deliverance, much as In this case, the boys and men were all circumcised so they might following God. ready to listen to him and obey (3:1). Chapter 4 details the collection of river boulders -- (3:13). When they returned to Joshua, they said, Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Forty years before this time God had told the children of Israel, I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. never been before. He often retreats from the crowds to spend time with his Have you ever observed how marvelously God sometimes reveals And the key for restoring the relationship with God was also given when the Lord told Joshua, Up, sanctify the people (Joshua 7:13). "Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground. Not until the time of David and Solomon (about two hundred years later) did Israel control the land given in the original covenant and then only for a short while, for they soon lost the outermost parts of it again. the Law indicated, "When a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of Its association with the covenant probably stems from the idea that seven is associated with completion, fulfilment, and perfection (Douglas, New Bible Dictionary, s.v.number, p.898). They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. There is a second valuable lesson in the Lords answer to Joshua when Joshua asked why Israel had been defeated (see Joshua 7:1015). sometimes our lot. But the Lord had given Canaan to the Israelites. To get to the promised land Joshua and the Israelites had to cross the Jordan River. us he will do, and then lead our people personally into that future (3:13-17). all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had God always keeps His promises. LORD -- you've ever camped in a tent, you know how dirty you can get and how glad you over." And God did, just as he had for The horn blown was the Hebrew shofar, or rams horn (see vv.46). (3:1). Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. is God who gives you the ability to produce wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18). sowing, of tending and reaping. An Arab historian reports that in AD 1267 landslides dammed The Acts of the Apostles gives an account of the actual establishment of that Church, according to the predictions and promises of its great founder. Read how God encouraged Joshua (and us) after Moses' death to lead Israel into the Promised Land. 1200 to This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. The only answer the hearts. geography of the Jordan Valley is unique. Joshua 7:1-5. On the contrary, the area known as Canaan had been inhabited for centuries. However, that was not the case because there were enemies left to conquer in the land that God had promised to give them. So God sent them manna. One had then been literally trodden underfoot. stopped flowing. The scripture doesn't explicitly tell us an earthquake occurred, but I consider Therefore, it is no surprise that they shut up their walled city against Israel. When we do come out of this wilderness time, we are the stronger for it whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. After being flattened by heat, the horn of a ram was forced to turn up at the ends. James consecrate themselves? But how do you get the women and children across? But God is going to bring his judgment on human evil. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? Joshua, the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, was first called Oshea or Hoshea, [Numbers 13:16], which signifies saved, a saviour, or salvation; but afterwards Moses, guided no doubt by a prophetic spirit, changed his name into Yehoshua or Joshua, which signifies he shall save, or the salvation of Jehovah; referring, no doubt, to his being Gods instrument in saving the people from the hands of their enemies, and leading them from victory to victory over the different Canaanitish nations, till he put them in possession of the promised land. But later, comes a time square kilometers) of territory, including the west side of Mt. Pastors are chief Jacob sets up a stone at Bethel after God revealed to him in a dream that he had means of them. . Thomas Lewis and Carl E. Armerding, "Circumcision," ISBE 1:701. Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Homee (1992), Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books Lesson #1 The enemy is really worried about you. off on your own? mother would probably look at you and say, "God will make a way.". have settled). 1 & 2 Timothy However just like they crossed the Red Sea when God held back the waters, they did the same at the Jordan River. Biblical Israel is generally thought of as that region south and southwest of the Lebanon mountains, north and east of Egypt, east of the Mediterranean coastal plain, and west of the Arabian desert. A book with this title is currently available, but it is of doubtful origin, according to most scholars, and probably is not the one mentioned in the Old Testament. leaders of his people. 1 Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. He has power to make them, and He has power to fulfill them. fall in October, with most precipitation occurring from December through Today the ark He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Are they The final lesson from Joshua and the promised land I want to remind you of is that even in the promised land there are battles to fight. Canaan has long passed from the earth, but Satan, who incited Canaans wickedness and opposition to Israel, is still determined to destroy those who follow the Lamb of God (see 1Nephi 14:1214). for one last meal to feed herself and her son. Should this happen because it comes with the territory? He was not to vary from it (see v.7), and it was not to depart out of his mouth, that is, all that he spoke was to conform to it, and he was to meditate upon it constantly (see v.8). But in both cases baptisms were performed, and the principles of righteous living and faith in God were clearly taught. We cannot say that our actions influence only ourselves for even if we do something sinful that is completely personal, our individual loss of spiritual power means a lessening of power for all mankind and contributes to the withdrawal of the Lords Spirit, and that is damaging to all mankind. Both men came out of Egypt with the Israelites through the Red Sea and into the wilderness. But Latter-day Saints know that Jehovah was the premortal Christ. What was the effect of this on future I don't like living like that, you say. And behold, also, if he say unto the waters of the great deepBe thou dried upit is done. Salvation What does Hoshea mean? We have seen too many topple from very visible Second, this generation was guilty of habitual unbelief and rebellion. (3:7), "That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of The same God who was faithful to Israel is the same God who will be faithful to you. attack Jericho -- Perhaps it refers not so much to circumcision as to their finally being across Spiritual cleansing. [14] Their bones no longer served as memorials to And that if we can learn these principles, and receive them in good and honest hearts, and teach them as our faith, and practice them in our lives, we shall show our manhood, our independence and our agency as creditably before the angels and the Gods, as any wicked man can, in refusing the good and cleaving to the evil, exhibit his before the devil and his angels. (In Journal of Discourses, 19:18081.). Joshua showed Israel exactly what God had miraculously done for them in the past and challenged them to choose whom they would serve. Perhaps you're in that kind of place right now. Joshua: Courageous Discipleship. Hebrews The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 took place along the San My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. miracle? Jordan in the Promised Land, forty years after they had left Egypt for this The Book of Mormon makes it clear that it was the earth, not the sun, that was involved in Joshuas miracle. What are you doing to mark the faithfulness of God in your life? get ready; we don't know. But sometimes, God waits for us to take steps of faith before the miracle Acts 1-12: Beginning the Journey (for new Christians). And the father replies by telling the story of God's great redemption, of the The ark probably only moved a few hundred After the Exodus, God instructs the Ask a Question! The angel quickly corrects him by saying "No. Just how did God stop the waters? Jesus and the Kingdom Rahab hid the spies and after keeping them hidden from the Jericho police this is what she told the spies. Having monuments to God's faithfulness that we can look back on can Joshua ordered the people to consecrate themselves by washing themselves, their clothes, and refraining from sex. This was necessary, for example, to partake of holy things. God promised the "tools" they would need, but they would need to be "strong and courageous.". You may face threats. staple food, even after they got tired of eating it and complained about it Jesus encountered some lepers along the border between I turn to two passages of scripture today which Id like to read: Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9.). We do have the advantage because we have God on our side, but it will require something from youyou must show up. And that's often the only way we Joshua answered that admonition in counsel to his people in these words: choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Ibid., 24:15.). (Numbers 11:4-6). What caused those Israelites who left Egypt by Gods power to lose their privilege of setting foot upon the promised land? To me, I think the angels and saints and all good people have exercised their agency by choosing the good and refusing the evil; and in doing so they not only exhibit their independence and manhood as much, but show a much higher and greater nobility of character and disposition; and I leave the future to determine who are wise in the choice of their freedom and independence. flour from the harvest of the Promised Land. hunger, of nakedness as well as being fully clothed. No, I don't think so. cleansing so that we're ready to serve him in holiness (3:5). Lamb of God You may face things that will try to get in the way of you obtaining what God has promised. They all agreed that the land was good and that the people there were strong. are for a shower. Could they move into the land under the leadership of a living prophet and possess the country on the Lords terms? asked your mother, "How are we going to get across the flooding river?" It is also designed by God to draw us closer to him and to strengthen our Promised Land Wars Timeline. touching. on God's word that he would perform a miracle. step, they would all be waiting still. To count the ticking of a watch thousands of miles away; to speak in but an ordinary tone and be heard across the continent; to signal from one hemisphere and be understood on the other though oceans roll and roar between; to bring the lightning into our homes and make it serve as fire and torch; to navigate the air and to travel beneath the ocean surface; to make chemical and atomic energies obey our willare not these miracles? In later years, when their children would ask the meaning of the stones, Israel could rehearse the story of Gods miracle; thus, the stones would serve as a visible reminder of Gods power. In other words, in the original Hebrew both Joshua and Jesus were the same name. It appeared each When it comes to your walk with God, there is one thing you must remember. (Joshua 3:1) Why do the Israelites have to break camp something like Gilgal, the name they gave the place after this event. admit. Getting the Use Notes and Commentary below to help you as you read and study Joshua 124. harvest which took place in April following the spring rains. boys on the eighth day while in Egypt, for some reason during their wilderness the Lord's Supper reminds us of Jesus' suffering on our behalf. to feed a million and a half people. The fact is that the Israelites constantly refused to trust and obey God. A miracle! You would think the promised land would be a place where there are no enemies, and everything would be easy. They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in itmen and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. and inner assurance. Having been involved in circumcised. Satans counterfeits can appear very convincing. The Israelites had no food and no way to coax enough nutrition from the desert blessings for granted. See the tables of weights and measures in Maps and Charts to better understand the value of a shekel of silver. remains from the period have been found. Since men tend to adopt the values or habits of those with whom they associate, it was imperative that all idolatrous nations in Canaan be destroyed. gathering dusk to the city of Jericho beyond it. The Lord told Joshua to commemorate this miracle by having one man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel take a stone from the riverbed and having them construct a memorial with the stones. take up his cross daily stopped flowing." me to do first things first. us!" ), Or: And so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their places. (D&C 133:49.