(Gen. 39: 19 – 23)
1. Crossing the River Jordan at a time when it overflowed its banks
2. How will Joshua lead more than two million people with a track record of anger and rebellion against God and Moses?
When God called Joshua into leadership position to lead the Israelites, He gave him a set of instructions and assurance.
Follow the Ark: The Israelites were to follow the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant for they had not gone that way before (Josh. 3: 3 – 4). The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God and we too must follow the presence of God in order for us to enter into our inheritance
Sanctify Yourselves: God told Joshua to instruct the people of Israel to sanctify themselves because God would do wonders among them (Josh.3:5). God wanted to do a new thing among the people but they must first be sanctified. We must also sanctify ourselves because God wants to do a new thing among us whether as individuals or as a Church. We must separate ourselves unto God.
I will Magnify You: God said to Joshua in Josh. 3: 7 “This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel that they may know that, as I was with Moses so I will be with thee.” For Joshua to lead the people effectively, God had to magnify him before the people. He was promoted from being the servant of Moses to becoming the leader after Moses. When we sanctify ourselves before God, He will magnify and elevate us and make us leaders. God can use anyone; He used Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites (Judges 6).
Your Breakthrough is in the Midst of Your Problem: The children of Israel had to enter the Promised Land in order to possess their inheritance but the river Jordan was a barrier to their new beginning. The breakthrough they needed was in the midst of the Jordan. In the same way, God wraps our breakthrough is in the midst of our problems.
Let Your Request be Kingdom Oriented: The request of Joshua and the people of Israel was to possess the Promised Land and because their request was kingdom-oriented, it was granted unto them. When Solomon offered sacrificial offering to God, he was asked by God to make a request. Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding to lead the people. Because Solomon’s request was kingdom oriented, God gave him wisdom and understanding and in addition he was blessed with great riches. We must make kingdom oriented requests.
Stand Firm: The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the Jordan under God’s command and the river parted just like the Red sea. We have to move forward by faith and stand firm in the Lord to experience the manifestation of the new beginning. The priests stood firm and so must we.