Joshua 4:14 "On that day the LORD
magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they
feared Moses, all the days of his life."
Joshua 4:22-24 "Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. (23) For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: (24) That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."
The people are now in the Promised Land. They have finished their journey through the wilderness. The Lord has replaced Moses with Joshua and in this action of going across the Jordan River, the people now realize Joshua is indeed their leader. Joshua did not have to prove himself unto the people. God did that for him. As Joshua was "magnified in the sight of all Israel", he did not use that as an opportunity to show his authority. He remained a humble God fearing man who listened for the direction of the Lord and submitted himself to the Lord.
We see his humility in verses 22-24. Notice what he did not say. He did not say, "Look at me. I led you across dry ground just like Moses did. I'm your new leader." No, instead he did point out the two instance of the Lord parting the waters and allowing the people to walk across on dry ground. But then he made particular notice to make sure the people kept their hearts and minds in the proper place. He told the people that this had happened "that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."
Joshua had been consistent through all these travels. Forty years earlier, he had said "if the Lord be pleased, we can take the land now." He never tried to draw attention to himself. He was always at the side of Moses. Now he still is not drawing attention to himself; rather, he keeps the people focused on the very One Who can make a difference and give them victory in their lives.
Through the words of Joshua, you and I can know still today that "the hand of the LORD is mighty." He is able to open the way when it seems there is no way. He is able to provide all our needs according to His riches in heaven. He is able to help us fight the enemy that comes up against us on a daily basis. His love and care for us exceeds anything we could ever hope for. Let us be as Israel on the day they crossed Jordan. They listened to the instructions. They got out of their tents (comfort zone) to follow the Lord. They obeyed and crossed over the obstacle. They received the victory. Though there were many battles that would follow, for this day they rested in the power and grace of Almighty God.
Joshua 4:22-24 "Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. (23) For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: (24) That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."
The people are now in the Promised Land. They have finished their journey through the wilderness. The Lord has replaced Moses with Joshua and in this action of going across the Jordan River, the people now realize Joshua is indeed their leader. Joshua did not have to prove himself unto the people. God did that for him. As Joshua was "magnified in the sight of all Israel", he did not use that as an opportunity to show his authority. He remained a humble God fearing man who listened for the direction of the Lord and submitted himself to the Lord.
We see his humility in verses 22-24. Notice what he did not say. He did not say, "Look at me. I led you across dry ground just like Moses did. I'm your new leader." No, instead he did point out the two instance of the Lord parting the waters and allowing the people to walk across on dry ground. But then he made particular notice to make sure the people kept their hearts and minds in the proper place. He told the people that this had happened "that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."
Joshua had been consistent through all these travels. Forty years earlier, he had said "if the Lord be pleased, we can take the land now." He never tried to draw attention to himself. He was always at the side of Moses. Now he still is not drawing attention to himself; rather, he keeps the people focused on the very One Who can make a difference and give them victory in their lives.
Through the words of Joshua, you and I can know still today that "the hand of the LORD is mighty." He is able to open the way when it seems there is no way. He is able to provide all our needs according to His riches in heaven. He is able to help us fight the enemy that comes up against us on a daily basis. His love and care for us exceeds anything we could ever hope for. Let us be as Israel on the day they crossed Jordan. They listened to the instructions. They got out of their tents (comfort zone) to follow the Lord. They obeyed and crossed over the obstacle. They received the victory. Though there were many battles that would follow, for this day they rested in the power and grace of Almighty God.