FOLLOW THE LEADER

Joshua 3: 1-13

Many people would easily consider Psalm 23 as one of the most beautiful passage in the Bible. Even those who would not want to be labeled as Christians have often fallen in love with the thought of having God as a shepherd in life. In some ways, they have received tremendous sense of assurance in seeing him as a provider and a protector.

However, one critical concept in God's shepherding that has often been taken for granted is His function as being the leader also. Jesus puts this in perspective in John 10:27-28:

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Looking at this verse, it is very evident that the provision of a qualitative life and the protection from destruction come as a consequence to listening and following the Shepherd. You see, every sheep must have some awareness that as long as he/she is following the shepherd, life is well and secured.

In principle, this is what our passage is all about. As Israel will conquer the Promised Land, they need to commit themselves in following God as their leader. This is the only way they can successfully move into their great future. Let's examine the steps God has revealed in following Him as the leader:

I     SET GOD BEFORE THEM: (vs. 3-4)

"Follow it, and then you will know which way to go"

Last Sunday, we have studied how Joshua commanded the people to prepare because in three days they will be crossing the Jordan River. This morning, our passage takes place the day they are to cross the river. As they begin to move, the officers commanded the people to let the Levites or the priests who are carrying the Ark of the Covenant be placed ahead of everyone.

What's the significance of this? Well, first of all, we need to know that the Ark of the Covenant was the symbol of God's presence with the people of Israel. When Moses built the tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant was one of the pieces of furniture that God directed Moses to build, and be placed in the Holiest of Holies (Ex. 25:10-22).

Since the Ark represents God's presence, the implications can be two-fold:

A. He goes before His people to take care of the obstacles:

Jordan River was a big obstacle but God took care of it. If you read the previous chapter, even in Jericho God has already traveled ahead of Israel that the inhabitants were anticipating their inevitable defeat.

B. He goes before His people to teach them:

The next implication is stated clearly in the text - for God to show the way. He always knows the best path to take towards the Promised Land, and He wants to guide us through it. Perhaps, today, we need to remember that God guides us through His Word. We will never go wrong with His directions:

The Psalmist declares that the ways of the righteous who delights in the law of the Lord are more prosperous.

II    SANCTIFY YOURSELVES: (vs. 4-5)

When you read verses 4-5, God has mentioned two things that bring the idea of sanctification or purification:

A. "Keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the Ark." (v.4)

Bible scholars consider the distance of about 3,000 feet as a visible reminder of the holiness of God. The people need to maintain a deep spirit of respect and reverence towards the absolute holiness of God. Although God is with them, He was not their equal. They should not be casual and careless in relating with Him.

B. "Consecrate yourselves" (v.5)

Aside from keeping the 3,000 feet distance, God directly commanded the people to set apart themselves or literally purify themselves. To the Jews, this command meant they needed to wash their clothes, take a bath, and abstain from sexual activity for a season. It was also a time of fasting and confessing of sins to the Lord.

The significance of these actions can be seen in line of the promise that God has given - FOR TOMORROW THE LORD WILL DO AMAZING THINGS AMONG YOU."

I believe this is an important truth for all of us. How many of us do not want to see miracles in our lives or in our church? I hope all of us still believe that miracles can still happen today. By application, is it possible that Christianity today does not see many miracles because we have ignored God's pre-requisite for miracles? What is it? Pure lives!

I am convinced that God doesn't need to perform miracles to prove His existence. In this case, He performs miracles to exalt the people who honor Him:

III   SUBMIT TO HIS TIMING:

Lastly, following God as the leader does not only require that He is set before them, and that they sanctify themselves. They also must submit to His timing.

In order for us to understand my emphasis on timing, we need to read verse 15-16:

Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

It has been said that normally Jordan River was not a wide river. It was about 40 feet wide at the widest point. However, in the springtime, the normally narrow river flooded its banks, and it could be around 150 feet deep and as much as a mile wide. Why is it that of all seasons, God commanded the nation to cross the river during springtime? This may not sound right, but the nation needed to follow God's order.

The best explanation for the timing of God is that Jericho is ripe for conquest. As we have seen earlier, Jericho was already scared at this point. To delay their conquest might give the enemies ample time to regain their courage. God is always perfect in His timing. So, we must never be afraid to pass through the door that God has already opened for us.

Are you willing to follow God as your leader? Going back to the idea of being our Great Shepherd, He wants to lead and guide us. But we have to choose to set Him before us, sanctify ourselves, and submit to His timing. You can't just go anywhere you please and expect God's blessings to follow you. His blessings follow those who follow Him!