And so they camped before the Jordan, that impassable
obstacle, for three full days (v 2): "Those three days before that unfordable
river were the necessary preparation for what followed -- the background from
which the following miracle might be the more evident to and the more
appreciated by Israel. Man's extremity furnishes the most suitable opportunity
for God to display His power. And it is not until man is made painfully aware of
his extremity that he turns unto the Lord and seeks His intervention. That truth
is writ large across the 107th Psalm, which forcible illustrates and exemplifies
what we have been seeking to express. 'Hungry and thirsty their souls fainted in
them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble' (Psa 107:5,6). 'There was
none to help: then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them'
(Psa 107:12,13). 'They draw near unto the gates of death: then they cry unto the
Lord' (Psa 107:18,19). They 'are at their wits' end: then they cry unto the
Lord' (Psa 107:27,28). They are brought into a desperate situation, to the end
of their own resources, and then it is that they -- not merely utter a few cold
and formal petitions, but -- 'cry unto the Lord', and such a cry is ever
responded to by His deliverance.
"Do not close your eyes to the Jordan -- the problem, the
difficulty, the obstacle -- that confronts you, but face it. Do not attempt to
minimize it, but take its full measure. Continue contemplating it until you
plainly realize your own helplessness to cope with the same, and then trustfully
turn unto Him who is capable of dealing with it" (Pink).
Jos 3:4
YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE: The way of
salvation, kingdom: a new way, never traveled. Ct Deu 17:16: an old way you must
never return.
A THOUSAND YARDS: The ark was set in front of the
nation of Israel, and preceded them by 2,000 cubits (years?!) into the Land of
Promise. (Cp "Joshua" in v 1, and "three days" in v 2).
Jos 3:15
DURING HARVEST: Being fed by runoff from Hermon's
snows.
THEIR FEET TOUCHED THE WATER'S EDGE: "Nothing good will
ever happen until you get your feet wet!"
Jos 3:16
Christ's sacrifice rolled the waters of death back as far as
Adam (Luk 3:38).