Encouragement

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Joshua 3 and 4
Exodus 14:10-30
2 Kings 2:1-14
Joshua had been commissioned to get Israel across the Jordan. But the biggest problem was that the Jordan was at flood stage. It was then that the priests were assigned to carry the Ark of the Presence and stand at the edge of the Jordan River. Anyway, as soon as the priests stood at the edge of the water, the River dammed up on either side and they crossed over on dry ground. In 1 Chronicles 15:2 we read “None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites, for them God has the LORD chosen to carry the Ark of God and to minister unto Him forever.” It would seem the LORD had the protocol for success when the priests were assigned to do this work. No one else would lead this work because the Israelites did not know the way forward.

In the case of the Red Sea, Moses and Aaron were about to be overtaken by marauding Egyptians. There was no way out but the waters were parted by the raising of the rod and Israel crossed over on dry ground. Egypt drowned while trying to do likewise.

In the case of Elijah he had to cross the Jordan before he was taken up to heaven. He struck the River with his cloak so that he and Elisha could cross over on dry ground. After he was taken up Elisha was left confused, “Where is the God of Elijah?” he struck the Jordan with the cloak of Elijah and crossed over on dry ground.

What is the motive of what I have said?
1. We ought to realize that in life we will ultimately face a Jordan encounter. The hard part may be that the River will be at flood stage, during the harvest (of the enemy). We must get across it so that we can access our inheritance. Israel had to leave Egypt for the desert, now they had to leave the desert and enter into Canaan. Elijah had to cross over so that he could be raptured to heaven. Elisha the apprentice had to cross over and go into his ministry, though left alone. These three situations represented three different missions but with one bearing- INHERITANCE.
2. We ought to cross over on dry ground. In these three situations there were 3 representations of God’s Presence- the Ark, the Rod and the Cloak. It is therefore not our personal effort that will get us across but the Holy Spirit who will. We have to then follow His leading because Joshua 3:4 says “Then you will know which way to go since you have never been this way before.” As soon as He takes over, situations will heap/dam up or be cut off from flowing. Jesus wants us to walk unhindered. In Isaiah 43:2He says “when you pass through the waters I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.” Elsewhere He says that when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of God will raise a standard higher. Jesus will stand firm till we all cross on dry ground and we will complete the crossing. After we have crossed, the Jordan will flow naturally. But we will have set foot in our inheritance- the whole me, the whole you. None of me or you must be left behind.
3. In all Jordan situations there are three basic rules:
i) Do not be afraid, be still and see the LORD’s Hand at work because the Egyptians you see today you will never see again (Exodus 14:13).
ii) Stop crying and move on, on dry ground
iii) The enemy will retreat because God is fighting for us.
4. With Jesus all situations will divide left and right. Elisha asked and God revealed Himself by parting the waters and Elisha went on to heal the water in Jericho. He had to cross the Jordan for his double portion

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