I am thankful I do not have to answer to an “editor” here on the Website! If I feel led of the Lord to “linger” in a chapter, I have liberty to do so! And that’s certainly been the case in Joshua chapter 3. And the “meandering” continues another day!
Watch with me verses 7 and 8, in tandem. “And the LORD said unto Joshua, 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. And THOU SHALT COMMAND the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.” Joshua 3:7-8
The Lord’s “magnifying” Joshua … what a thought, what an act … we have already discussed. But for today … look at the next verse … “as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.”
No sooner had God “magnified” Joshua … and he was commissioned to “command” the children of Israel. Even commanding the “priests” (an elite group indeed) and consequently all the people of Israel (who merely followed those priests) into the Jordan!
And command them he did! (For the rest of the chapter, Joshua the leader is clearly apparent! Joshua chapter 3, I mean. Not even counting much of the remainder of the Book!)
I couldn’t help but think of the Anti-Type to Joshua. That means the “fulfillment” or the “realization” of the “pictures/symbols” the life of Joshua has been painting! Yes, Joshua is clearly a Type of Jesus! Even in their parallel (if not identical) names!
Now … God the Father magnified His Son Jesus at the Baptism, yesterday’s lesson. “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark’s account, 1:10-11.
Then … Jesus Himself began a three year Ministry of “COMMANDING” His followers! For example, after the Baptism (no more than a few weeks) Jesus is sitting on a mountainside teaching (commanding) a new way of life to His “priests” (“disciples, apostles”) and then all his “followers!”
Three chapters (Matthew 5 and 6 and 7) of teaching with authority! “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and TAUGHT THEM, saying ….” Matthew 5:1-2
Jesus, the Real Commander-In-Chief!
Listen to Him … “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time (including Moses, primarily Moses), Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: BUT I SAY unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21-22, our Young Commander (and Saviour) after His Father had “magnified” Him so … at Jordan!
Joshua (again, in chapter 3) was mentioned in connection with Moses … but now, Jesus outranks Moses as the True Leader of God’s people!
Wow!
Is the Bible amazing, or what?
We Preachers could take a lesson here.
Wait for God’s POWER (for God to “magnify” us, “fill us” with his Holy Spirit) before we preach, before we command, before we even step to the pulpit! Before we say a word!
Lesson (for today) ends.
Homework just beginning …!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell