Bible Reading
Joshua 3:1-17 “Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.” And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.”
[47:54]Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
[45:53]James 2:17 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
[01:34:35]Observation questions
- In Joshua 3:1–6, what instructions did Israel receive before crossing the Jordan, and how did those instructions prepare them to travel an unfamiliar way? [48:02]
- In Joshua 3:13–17, what was happening in the river when the priests approached, and what sequence of events followed their arrival at the water’s edge? [49:38]
- What did the priests do while the people crossed, and how long did they remain in their assigned place? [01:28:22]
- What examples of ordinary faithfulness show how the active faith described in James 2:17 can take shape in daily life? [01:25:31]
Interpretation questions
- How can a believer remember God’s past faithfulness without becoming unwilling to follow him in a different way? How does Israel’s departure from the wilderness help explain that distinction? [01:05:09]
- Why does the call to purification in Joshua 3:5 matter before the crossing? What is the difference between wanting God to change a situation and being willing to let him change a person’s heart? [01:11:41]
- The priests stepped into the Jordan in response to God’s instruction. What distinguishes that obedience from taking a risk out of frustration or personal ambition? How can a believer test the direction they think they have received? [01:13:15]
- How does the priests’ willingness to remain until everyone crossed challenge a view of faith centered mainly on personal blessings? What might that kind of steady service look like in a church today? [01:29:00]
Application questions
- Is there a past disappointment or failure that makes trusting God difficult for you today? Without sharing more than you feel comfortable sharing, what might moving toward obedience look like without pretending the hurt never happened? [01:00:19]
- What good season, familiar role, or way of doing things might you be holding too tightly? How could you remain thankful for it while being open to what God is asking of you now? [01:04:27]
- Think of a decision you are facing. How are Scripture, prayer, wise counsel, and God’s character shaping your response? Is there a personal preference you may need to hold more loosely? [01:15:12]
- What ordinary responsibility have you been tempted to overlook while waiting for a bigger opportunity? What would faithfulness in that responsibility look like this week? [01:23:41]
- Where are you waiting to know the outcome before doing something you already recognize as right? What part is yours to obey, and what outcome do you need to leave in God’s hands? [01:27:19]
- Who in your everyday life could benefit from your steady presence—a grieving friend, a young person, a coworker, or someone who feels distant from church? What specific act of love or service could you offer without expecting anything in return? [01:30:13]
