1. God dries up the Jordan river while it is at flood stage in the Spring so that the people can cross over on dry ground.
2. He commands the memorial of the crossing with twelve stones.
3. He commands the renewal of the covenant sign of circumcision.
4. The people keep the Passover, eat the produce of the land the following day, and, in a "reverse-miracle", the provision of manna ceases the day after that.
5. The commander of the army of the Lord appears to Joshua.
Some thoughts:
Apart from the practical aspect of allowing the vast multitude of Israelites to cross safely, drying up the Jordan accomplished several things.
First, it was a symbolic copy of the parting of the Red Sea (4:23), and showed the people that God was with Joshua as he had been with Moses. God used it to"begin to exalt" (3:7) Joshua in the sight of Israel.
Second, God used it both to cause his people to fear him(4:24) and to instill confidence that he was still among them and would drive out the nations with a mighty arm (3:10).
Third, he used it to "melt the hearts" of the nations surrounding them and demoralize them so that "no spirit was left in them" (5:1).
Lastly, by memorializing it with the twelve stones, God caused the miracle to continue having these same effects on the generations to come- testifying to God's great power and care for his people.
Having commanded the people through Joshua: "consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you", God then begins to consecrate (set apart as holy) the people.
First, he performs a "dry baptism" by passing them through the waters- but on dry land. After that, he renews the covenant sign of circumcision, purifying them by removing part of the flesh. And just as there was a second parting of the waters, there is another Passover observance- this time in reverse order: (1st Passover- crossing the R Sea- crossing Jordan- Passover)- further reminding them of God's special provision for their deliverance. They are set apart for God's own possession because he protected them from his own wrath by the passover lamb, then brought them out of slavery in Egypt with a mighty hand.
Application: Consecration is both something God has done and continues to do for me and to me- and something I do for and to myself, with his help. It is not either/or but both/and. Through his electing love, predestination, saving acts in history, and particular means of grace in my life: being born into a Christian family, hearing the gospel preached from an early age, the gift of faith, etc. God has set me apart and continues to do so.
But I also have a part to play in setting myself apart.
2 Tim. 2:20-23
1 Pet. 1:13-16
