Joshua 3:17; 4:1, 3, 5, 21-24 (NRSV)
Read Joshua 3:17; 4:1, 3, 5, 21-24 on biblegateway.com
Verse 17While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan.
Chapter 4When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua: Verse 3and command them, 'Take twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet stood, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you camp tonight.'" Verse 5Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, one for each of the tribes of the Israelites, Verse 21saying to the Israelites, "When your children ask their parents in time to come, 'What do these stones mean?' Verse 22then you shall let your children know, 'Israel crossed over the Jordan here on dry ground.' Verse 23For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we crossed over, Verse 24so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, and so that you may fear the Lord your God forever."
Devotion
Throughout history, crossing rivers or other bodies of water has marked the beginning of a significant military victory. Caesar crossed the Rubicon, Washington crossed the Delaware, Eisenhower crossed the English Channel. And Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to claim the promised land.
This story begins as a military conquest, but most striking is how clearly this event, like all others in Israel's history, portrays the work of God rather than the work of the people. We see this in the miraculous way the waters of the Jordan part, in the setting up of 12 memorial stones for 12 tribes and in the ark of the covenant carried by Israel's priests. This crossing is yet another step in the work of God fulfilling divine promises made to Abraham, Sarah and their descendants.
Crossing the Jordan remains one of the central ways we speak of the promise of life after death. As we cross over the Jordan, we will rest in the same promise that milk and honey lie on the other side.
Prayer
Lord of life, be with us in our battles and our river crossings, in this life and the next. Amen.