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In Joshua 3
● notice that the people are supposed to follow the ark of the covenant yet at a distance so that they may “know the way to go” (4),
● register the importance of the command to “consecrate yourselves” (5) [Do you hear echoes of Sinai? (Exodus 19:10)] in order to be ready for the “wonders” (5) of God to come on the next day,
● recognize that part of God’s purpose in the display about to occur is to “exalt” (7) Joshua by promoting the likeness between God’s actions through his two men, Moses and Joshua,
● understand that God’s purpose in stopping the flow of the Jordan- “the waters … shall stand in one heap” (13)- is for his people to “know” (10) that God himself- “the living God” (10)- is among them and that success is sure,
● notice that twice the name “ark of the covenant” (6, 6, 8, 14, 17) is extended considerably- “ark of the covenant of the Lord your God” (3) and “ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth” (11), to reinforce for the people the significance of the events at hand and to help them see what Rahab knows as well (2:11): Your God is God of heaven and earth, and he wins (2:9-11),
● remember that Rahab knows the proper response to such a God is to “deal kindly” (2:12, 12, 14) with his people, that is to make a covenant with them,
● understand the significance of the ark of the covenant’s involvement in opening entry to the land of promise: the living, covenant-making God is keeping his promise, and
● see the symmetry of God’s man Moses leading God’s people through water out of Egypt and God’s man Joshua leading God’s people through water into the promised land.
Thank you,

Randy Tumlinson