That’s what they say about an acorn, for example! The whole oak tree is encased therein, that single little “seed” has the real “potential” (the “certainty” in most cases) of becoming a majestic giant (the fully grown oak) thriving in the forest! And this is what I meant in today’s Lesson title, the “whole” enclosed in the “part.”

Out Text Verse this morning is Joshua 3:10. “And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.”

Wow!

What’s the “hereby” of verse 10, though? By what act or deed shall the Jews know such a sweeping truth? That ALL her enemies shall fall!

It is this: “The waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” Verse 13

God is saying, “Trust me.”

“Watch your leaders wade into the Jordan, a River flooding at that moment! Watch ME stop the River from flowing (overflowing)! Then YOU follow us … into the (dry) river bed! I SHALL LEAD YOU to the other side! You will step up from the (once) muddy river trench … into/onto the LAND of Canaan!”

God is saying … IF you trust me in the crossing of Jordan … I will guarantee you victory in your forthcoming endeavors in Canaan as well!

(Trusting in the so-called little things ALWAYS HELPS in trusting in the so-called larger things!) Remember the words to the old song, “Each victory will help you … some other to win.”

Yes, by faith conquer Jordan … and you shall conquer the Canaanites! And the Hittites! And the Hivites! And the Perizzites! And the Girgashites! And the Amorites! And the Jebusites!

Wow!

What a promise, from God!

(Not just walk through the Jordan and I shall give you Jericho, their first obstacle! But … walk through Jordan (dried up Jordan) and I shall give you everything! All the territory!)

That’s our great God!

But is there a corresponding New Testament Truth here?

I believe so.

Paul writes to the Philippians about God’s Power … the vey same Power that aided these Jews under Joshua’s command long ago … “He (the Lord) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

In other words … WHAT GOD HAS STARTED … HE WILL COMPLETE … in the lives of us Believers!

He was with us at the Jordan (the beginning) … and so He will be with us to the end, in every single battle! Yes, sounds so encouraging!

Paul was sure of this truth, too! “Being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Hallelujah!

So I close … trust Jesus in everything today, the small things included! No telling where they will lead! Likely to victory in some big thing!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

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

 

 

Here’s the promise: “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. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God. And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan … and it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap “ Joshua 3:8-11 and 13

Here’s the fulfillment: “And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; and as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) that the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm ON DRY GROUND in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.” Joshua 3:14-17

A miracle, indeed!

But where did this “passage” occur?

It seems to me that the Old Testament is purposely “vague” on the answer to this question! “Very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan …” Though two locations are given, they are hardly prominent!

But wherever … that “crossing” occurred!

At the very place where God “magnified” Joshua, as discussed in the last two Lessons I have written. “On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” Joshua 4:14, spoken specifically at this great “crossing.”

Now … let’s mentally go to the New Testament. To another “Joshua!” (The Names Joshua and Jesus are identical in meaning, both having a Hebrew background, essentially the same “root” word!)

Let’s go to the Jordan, with Jesus.

In John chapter 1, John the Baptist is at the Jordan.

Baptizing those who have repented.

Our Lord comes there, to be baptized. “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15

And John (finally) did Baptist Jesus!

Amen!

But … where was John baptizing, on the Jordan, actually “in” the Jordan?

“These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.” John 1:28, King James Version. (I must say KJV because all the so-called “newer” Bibles change that word “Bethabara.” And my Lesson today hinges on it remaining the same!)

So … what does Bethabara mean? The place of “crossing!” More literally, the “house” of “crossing!”

Wow!

I believe we are being told that Jesus was baptized at the exact place where Israel crossed the Jordan River. At “the place of such a great crossing!”

In Hebrew, “Bethabara” blends the noun “beth” (“bayith) meaning “house” and “abar,” a verb meaning “to cross over,” or “to pass over!” (In fact, it is the great “Passover” verb of Exodus!)

Jesus and Joshua closely identified … once again.

But here’s my question today.

Was Jesus “magnified” that day? the day He went to the “crossing” place?

As was Joshua?

John the Baptist writes: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that THIS IS THE SON OF GOD.” John 1:32-34

That’s being “magnified,” all right!

“THIS IS THE SON OF GOD!”

Now, here’s Matthew’s account: “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.” Matthew 3:16-17

Jesus is our greater Joshua!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

There’s more, tomorrow, Lord willing!

 

This Lesson is a continuation of yesterday’s thought. The schedule Friday was jam-packed, hardly an hour to spare. But the Lord granted safety in all the miles traveled!

“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.” Joshua 3:7

I have found nineteen times the King James Version of Scripture used the word “magnify.” And another 21 times it employs “magnified,” past tense.

And I believe, based on my research, this is one of only two times in all the Bible God is said to magnify a specific man, by name! (Solomon is the other man whom God “magnified.” According to 1st Chronicles 29:25 and 2nd Chronicles 1:1.)

By the way, we need to be familiar with Joshua 4:14 too. “On that day THE LORD MAGNIFIED JOSHUA in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” God keeping His Word, as always.

God magnifies Himself in Ezekiel 38:23, when God and her allies attack Israel. God overturning them with great Power. “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” And rightly so.

Wow!

And furthermore, singularly, God magnifies His Word, a Living Entity for sure! “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD above all thy name.” Psalm 138:2

Wow, again!

Many are said to “magnify themselves,” some even “against the Lord!” But invariably they will ALL be judged, brought low by the Almighty! I found a half-dozen examples of such wickedness, such pride.

And the very Theme of Scripture, in many ways, is: “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Time and time again, particularly in the Psalms. I’ve used Psalm 34:3 here, as an example.

But, back to Joshua … WHY did God so specifically magnify that great servant?

His sincerity?

His love for God’s Word?

HIs place in divine history, as Moses’ successor?

His being such a clear “type” or “symbol” of Jesus?

His godly living?

We really do not know.

Perhaps “all of the above,” as they say.

Anyway, let each of us seek God’s Hand on our lives!

Jabez came close to asking God to “magnify” him! “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” 1st Chronicles 4:10

Oh … the rest of that verse … “And God GRANTED him that which he requested.”

What thought a single verse of Scripture can excite …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

It is 4:30 am here in my motel room.

And I am putting the “finishing touches” on the first little job of the day … packing to fly home this morning. From the Revival Meeting here in Manhattan, Kansas. At the Harvest Baptist Church, where the Lord has allowed me to preach verse by verse through another amazing chapter of Scripture!

Today’s Lesson Text will be Joshua 3:7. “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.” I am captivated by this sentence, Holy Spirit inspired as it is!

God “magnifying” a man!

I am currently running Bible references about this verb, “to magnify.” However, I have run out of time! Therefore, this Article will be continued later today … or if things become “impossible,” tomorrow morning.

Did God “magnify” anyone else in the Bible?

Does God Himself wish to be “magnified?”

Is anyone said to sinfully “magnify” himself, herself?

All kinds of thoughts (and questions) are flooding my heart!

Well, as I said, I will complete the Lesson later.

Meanwhile, I ask for your prayers as I travel today.

A two hour drive from here to the Kansas City Airport.

A two hour flight then to Atlanta.

An hour layover there.

Then a short trip home on a little twelve row airplane.

We live in a amazing world!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell