Established by the Finished Work of Christ

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Joshua 4:11-24

Joshua 4:14

On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.

(ESV)

Today is July 4.  In parts of the world other than the United States, the day is just another day but in the United States, it is a day when the citizens of the United State celebrate their independence from Great Britton.  (1)  This is the genuine history of the founding of the United States supported by the Declaration of Independence on display at the National Archives.  Unfortunately, those with an agenda to remove from history the genuine founding of the United States are attempting to rewrite the history of the United States by removing monuments serving as reminders of the nation’s founding and citing the founding of the nation as August 1619.  (2)  It is false teaching like the 1619 project that is behind the rioting and tearing down of monuments in the United States, teaching that must be fought with the truth supported by the nation’s founding document.  I recommend reading the Declaration of Independence today, a copy of which is provided here, and sharing it with children.  From the foundation of understanding how the United States was established makes it possible to understand why citizens of the United States place such a high value on liberty. 

The declaration of independence for the nation of Israel would be when God parted the Red Sea, allowing the nation of Israel to cross over on dry land, with the Egyptians seeking to re-enslave them drowned as the waters of the Red Sea returned to their place (Exodus 14).  However, Israel now has a new leader and while the people have pledged to do all that Joshua commands, some may have had doubts about whether Joshua had the same calling from God to lead Israel as his predecessor, Moses (Joshua 1:16-17).  Knowing these doubts, God is about to establish Joshua as a leader by stopping the Jordan so Israel can cross over into the promised land on dry land just as they did at the Red Sea (Joshua 4).  In Joshua 4:11-24 God,

1)      Establishes Joshua as the leader (Joshua 4:14) – The second part of Joshua 1:17 indicates there was doubt among the people of Israel regarding whether he had the same calling to lead Israel as his predecessor Moses.  The stopping of the Jordan resembled the parting of the Red Sea, is a story many of the next generation of Israelites crossing the Jordan had heard many times.  Seeing this miracle occur under the leadership of Joshua would have eliminated any doubt about God’s calling on Joshua, establishing him as Israel’s new leader.  The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are what establishes Jesus as the Messiah and the savior from our sins.  Those that saw Him after his death, like Thomas, had their doubts eliminated (John 20:24-29).  Jesus is established as Christ and Messiah because the tomb where they laid Him is empty.

2)      Demonstrates His grace (Ephesians 2:8) – The generation of Israel crossing the Jordan are the successors of the generation God said would not cross the Jordan due to their rebellion (Numbers 14:20-23).  Those crossing the Jordan in Joshua 4 are their children and while not perfect and subject to rebellion, can cross over to the Promised Land because of God’s grace.  God is still full of grace and saves us by his grace and not our works.  

3)      Encourages His people while bringing fear on the enemies of His people (Joshua 4:24) – While the stopping of the Jordan had as its main purpose encouragement for the people of Israel through the provision of dry land for the Israelites to cross over on, it also instilled fear in the people of Jericho who had heard of how God parted the Red Sea (Joshua 2:10).  Seeing something similar occurring on the Jordan instilled fear for they knew they were facing a God more powerful than their army.  When Jesus ascended to be with God the Father, the angels reminded those watching that Jesus would return just as he left (Acts 1:11).  The promise of the return of Christ is a source of encouragement for the Church today (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) but also brings fear on those that do not know Christ facing the prospect of eternal separation from God (John 3:17-18). 

The good news is that there is no need to fear condemnation for our salvation is not based on our works (Ephesians 2:8) but available for the asking (Romans 10:9-10).  If you are reading this and have not made a profession of faith in Jesus as Savior, there is no better time than Independence Day to declare your independence from sin in your life.  Please pray with me now to make a profession of faith in Jesus as your savior,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Congratulations on your profession of faith in Jesus Christ as savior.  You now have forgiveness from your sins but to enjoy the fullness of your liberation from sin requires learning the truth for it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).  For those professing faith in Jesus as their savior, the truth is the Bible.  To experience the fullness of liberation from sin requires finding a church or Bible study teaching the Bible so the truth continues its liberating work in your life.  May God bless everyone reading this post. 

1. One Minute History. 4th of July - History of American Independence Day - One Minute History. www.youtube.com. [Online] One Minute History, July 22, 2017. [Cited: July 3, 2020.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRLRKNXVuTY.

2. The New York Times Magazine. The 1619 Project. nytimes.com. [Online] The New York Times Magazine, August 2019. [Cited: July 3, 2020.] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html.