All I am saying by the title given today’s Lesson is that many similarities exist between the miracle of Israel marching across the Red Sea … and the miracle of Israel (a generation later) crossing the River Jordan.
In both cases the miracle was associated with water! (Think of the times Jesus interacted with water. He changed it into wine, walked on it, preached about it, and one day a lady even got saved by a well of it!)
Both miracles (Red Sea and Jordan River) were enacted with a congregation of hundreds of thousands watching! Not in private, by any means!
Each removed a (humanly speaking) formidable barrier, blocking God’s people from “going forward” in His Plan for their lives!
Each further authenticated Israel’s leadership (Moses at the Red Sea and Joshua at the Jordan River)
Both miracles tested the faith of the Israelites, just step into the Ocean (on one hand) and later wade into this (in flood stage even) River!
Each crossing is reported to have been executed with dry ground under the Jews’ feet! “Dryshod” is the old English word!
Both miracles were lived “in silence,” no noise required at all from the Israelites … as in distinction to the battle of Jericho, for example.
No damage was done to the waters, in either case. Both the Sea and the River (once Israel was through) resumed their normal shapes!
Also, both miracles showed God’s enemies His mighty Power! (The Egyptians and the Canaanites, who were well aware of what had transpired!)
And … my main point today … both miracles were accompanied by SONGS, hymns of praise!
Wow!
But wait a minute, “songs?”
Clearly the Exodus did … famously recorded in Scripture! Sung subsequent to their crossing the sea, voiced in fact as Israel came up out of the sea bed!
But crossing the Jordan? Where is the song? Joshua 4 tells about 12 stones … but no song!
Ahh!
The Jordan River song is NOT recorded in Joshua!
For that we go to the Book of Psalms!
To Psalm 114 … a gleeful celebration of God and His Character and His drying up the River Jordan!!!
In fact, I think we’ll study that one Monday morning!
Just for a single lesson … then (finally) into Joshua 4, the Lord willing.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell