August 17 2023

The Lord said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses.

From Joshua 3:11,13-17, NRSV

After Moses’ death the mantle of the leadership of Israel passed to Joshua. In today’s reading we hear of how God assured Joshua that he would not be alone and that God would make him great in the eyes of Israel. Joshua was then required to take a step in faith with the Lord’s encouragement. He was to lead the Israelites to the River Jordan with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant at the front. When the priests reached the water they were to stand still at the edge of the water. Joshua spoke to the people to inspire them with belief that the Lord would be with them and that they had nothing to fear. They went on their journey and when the priests stopped at the edge of the river, the waters stopped running and a space opened up to allow the people to cross into Jericho. Just as the Israelites were allowed to cross the Red sea at the start of their journey, they were now able to cross dry-shod through water as their journey through the wilderness came to an end. Many have speculated about whether there was some physical explanation of this phenomenon but for the people of Israel and their descendants, the entry to the Promised Land was achieved by God’s grace and guidance.