1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: And it shall come to pass as soon as the 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: souls of the feet of the priests that bear the 3 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the Earth, 4 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:10,920 Speaker 1: shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the 5 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from the 6 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: waters that come down from above, and they shall stand 7 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: upon a heap Joshua three thirteen, Dear God, as the 8 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:30,840 Speaker 1: sun greets my face, to day, I realize that hope 9 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:35,640 Speaker 1: fills the sky like Joshua and the children of Israel, 10 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: I declare that to day is the day I will 11 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:44,160 Speaker 1: cross over into my promised land. Regardless of the obstacles 12 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 1: in front of me. I can feel the spirit of 13 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: God with me. As I place your presence before me. Lord, 14 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 1: the mighty waters of obstacles must part and make way 15 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: for me to cross over into my promise land. As 16 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:05,040 Speaker 1: my feet touched the grounds of my promise, I will 17 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: set up touchstones that remind me of all the miracles 18 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: you have done on my behalf. My war cry of 19 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: victory will be heard all over the world as you 20 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: elevate my life to be a symbol of your love 21 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: and power. To those who believe. I declare that I 22 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 1: am strong and courageous by decree that I am unmoved 23 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: as I prepare to fight and take what belongs to 24 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: me and my family. The time is now. My moment 25 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 1: of expansion and victory has come in Jesus name. Amen. 26 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with us today. Continue your time 27 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 1: with God by listening to today's Bible story brought to 28 00:01:55,560 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: you by Bible in a Year dot com Crossing the Jordan. 29 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: In our last story, we learned about Joshua's spies infiltrating 30 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: the city of Jericho. The spies were eventually discovered, but 31 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 1: then saved by a prostitute named Rahab. She informed the 32 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: spies of Israel that all of Jericho was terrified of 33 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 1: Israel and that they all knew the Lord would give 34 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: Israel the land filled with hope. The spies returned with 35 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: good news. Now we learn about the people of Israel 36 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: venturing forward into new beginnings. God's mighty hand would be 37 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 1: shown once again, inspired by the Book of Joshua. Hi, 38 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 39 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: in a Year podcast. In our previous episode, God reaffirmed 40 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: his promise and presence to Joshua and charged him to 41 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: be courageous Joshua prepared the people to cross over into 42 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: the Promised Land, but first he sent spies to scout 43 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: the city of Jericho. There we met a prostitute by 44 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: the name of Rahab, who told the men that the 45 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: whole city was terrified of Israel, and more importantly, of 46 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,839 Speaker 1: their God. She also protected the spies from Jericho's king, 47 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: and as a result, gained grace in God's eyes, favor 48 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: that would reverberate through the millennia through her own bloodline. Today, 49 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: will join the Israelites as they prepare to brave the 50 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: raging river Jordan before them. It is a crossing that 51 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: would be impossible were it not for the Most High God, 52 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: who goes with his people, and in this reading will 53 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: see his power reveal once again to the wonder of Israel. 54 00:03:54,960 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: Let's listen now to today's story. Hope filled the skies 55 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: as the sun rose above the mountain range. A newness 56 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: of life and vitality could be felt among the camp. 57 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: Smiles and laughter could be heard from miles. Home had 58 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: become a distant thought to the people of Israel. They 59 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 1: had grown up wandering the wilderness. Their parents were the 60 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 1: ones who came out of Egypt and experienced the mighty 61 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 1: acts of God. Now they were the ones to inherit 62 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 1: all the Lord had promised them. Joshua led the people 63 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 1: out of Shittin and they traveled to the coast of 64 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:39,839 Speaker 1: the Jordan River. The river was raging before them. Deep 65 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:44,479 Speaker 1: rushing waters boomed and shook the earth. The Jordan was 66 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:49,039 Speaker 1: truly treacherous, yet Joshua and the leaders of Israel looked 67 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: at it with smiles on their faces. They faced the 68 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: rapids with a quiet confidence. If Israel knew anything, it 69 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:02,920 Speaker 1: was that water was no obstacle for God. After three days, 70 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,559 Speaker 1: Joshua and the officers of Israel led the people down 71 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: to the water to camp. They scanned the river and 72 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,919 Speaker 1: spoke amongst themselves, as if analyzing where they would build 73 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: a bridge. Instead, they turned to the people and commanded, 74 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 1: the Ark of the Covenant shall go before us. Wherever 75 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: it goes, you shall go also, but keep your distance 76 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 1: and do not come near it. How they would cross 77 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: the river was still a mystery to the people, but 78 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: they were excited. Nonetheless, Joshua began climbing a rock near 79 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:42,119 Speaker 1: by to speak to the people. He stood up high, 80 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 1: with the waters at his back so all the people 81 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: could see him. Joshua was not like Moses. Moses was 82 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: a shepherd and carried his staff. Joshua was a soldier 83 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 1: and his sword never left his side. Joshua's strength as 84 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: a warrior and lead captured the people's attention. Joshua raised 85 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 1: his voice towards the children of Israel with a booming 86 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: voice carried by the waters, Joshua yelled, prepare yourselves, for 87 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 1: tomorrow you will behold the wonders of God. The people cheered, 88 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 1: and Joshua nodded to the priests to go fetch the 89 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,719 Speaker 1: ark of the Covenant. It was time to put the 90 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: wilderness behind them. Joshua could feel the spirit of God 91 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: giving him confidence to lead. God spoke to him, saying, 92 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 1: today the people will know that I am with you 93 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 1: as I was with Moses. Joshua nodded and led the 94 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: people to stand at the shoreline of the river. They 95 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 1: stood still, watching the waters rage before them. All were silent, waiting, 96 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: and the only sounds were that of the flowing river. 97 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: Moments passed, and Joshua stood tall once again for all 98 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: to hear him, and say, here you shall truly know 99 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: the Living God is with us, and as Joshua was speaking, 100 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: the priests, carrying the ark of the Covenant, came from 101 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: among the people. They parted to keep their distance and 102 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: watched as the priests walked towards the banks of the river. Slowly, 103 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: the priests began to walk into the water. As their 104 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: feet sank into the river, the waters began to spill 105 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: apart before them. With each step, the water moved, the 106 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,679 Speaker 1: mist flew into the air as the Jordan bowed before 107 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 1: the mighty hand of God. As the red seas once parted, 108 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: the Jordan divided to make way for freed captives. The 109 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: people were still silent in awe of the majesty unfolding 110 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: before them. The wind from the waters blew their hair 111 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: back and tears filled their eyes. It was the most 112 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: beautiful moment they had ever seen. The priests walked forward, 113 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: carrying the written promises of God on their shoulders. The 114 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: priests strode proudly, and their hearts welled up within them. 115 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: One by one, the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan 116 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: into the promised Land. The priests stood in the midst 117 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: of the waters on dry ground. The people crossed to 118 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: the other side safely. God instructed every leader from each 119 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 1: of the twelve tribes of Israel to carry a stone 120 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 1: from one side to the other they would build a 121 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: memorial to him and his faithfulness. So each man did 122 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: according to what God had said. The priests exited the waters, 123 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: and the river went back to its place, And there 124 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: in the midst of all the people, Joshua built a 125 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: memorial out of the twelve stones. This served as a 126 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,319 Speaker 1: reminder to all those who would ever question or forget 127 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: the power of God. They gazed upon it, and God 128 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 1: spoke to them through Joshua, saying, when your children ask 129 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: of these stones, their fathers shall tell them that the 130 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 1: Lord dried up the water of the Jordan, as he 131 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 1: did the Red Sea. These stones serve as a mausoleum 132 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: to the entire earth, that the Lord is mighty and 133 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:31,559 Speaker 1: to be feared for all eternity. The crowd cheered and worshiped, 134 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: their hearts filled with gladness. This was truly a victory 135 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: unlike any other. All was well, Yet the struggle had 136 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 1: just begun. Miles away. Word of this miracle spread like wildfire. 137 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: The people dwelling in the land of Canaan caught word 138 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: of the Mighty acts of God. They trembled and fear 139 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:59,439 Speaker 1: gripped their minds and hearts. They knew the inevitable end 140 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 1: God would give Israel their land, Yet some would not 141 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:08,719 Speaker 1: go quietly. They were preparing for war. All the men 142 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:13,319 Speaker 1: of Israel, who were not already circumcised, cut themselves before God. 143 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: They remembered the Covenant of Abraham and sought to identify 144 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:22,679 Speaker 1: themselves as the promised people of God. Though bloody and painful, 145 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 1: it was an act of devotion. The people celebrated passover, 146 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: and shouts of joy and laughter echoed across the valley, 147 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: reaching the ears of their enemies. Danger was near and 148 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:43,199 Speaker 1: war was coming. We opened today's story where the crowd 149 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:47,720 Speaker 1: of people filled with hope and anticipation. This generation of 150 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: the Israelites has known no other home but the wilderness, 151 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: no way of life but that of a nomad. But 152 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 1: now at last, God's promise to his people was coming 153 00:10:56,600 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 1: too fulfillment. They were going to receive their long awaited home, 154 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: the promised land. So it was moving time. But as 155 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: they approached the raging river, it was clear to them 156 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 1: that there would be no human way to pass through. 157 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: There was no boat to take them over. There was 158 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: no way across Israel had faced impassable waters before. Only 159 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:21,680 Speaker 1: this time did you notice what was different. The only 160 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,559 Speaker 1: rumbling was that of waters rushing by, not a fearful 161 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: people who turned on their leader and questioned God's ability 162 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:31,439 Speaker 1: to save them. They did trust in God, after all, 163 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: What was a raging river to the one who parted 164 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: the seas. God tells Joshua that he's about to show 165 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: the people just how mighty he is. It will give 166 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:43,840 Speaker 1: the people confidence not only in God, but in the leader, Joshua, 167 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: whom God had chosen. When Moses faced the Red Seat, 168 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 1: God went as a cloud of smoke and pillar of fire. 169 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: But now the physical symbol of God's presence was the 170 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: Ark of the Covenant. This holiess of symbols was not 171 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 1: to be touched. Only the Levite priest could carry it. 172 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:05,439 Speaker 1: It was yet another reminder that God was with them, 173 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: but not fully approachable by the people. One day, this 174 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: would all change, as God himself came to dwell among 175 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:16,680 Speaker 1: men in the person of his son Jesus. That day 176 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: had not yet come, so the people were told to 177 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:23,680 Speaker 1: keep their distance, but to keep a watchful eye. God 178 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: was about to show them his power listen to how 179 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: Joshua three seventeen recounts what happens next. Now, the priest 180 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 1: bearing the ark of the Covenant of the Lord stood 181 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, 182 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: and all Israel was passing over on dry ground. Until 183 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: all the nation finished passing over the Jordan, the people 184 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 1: walked right across on dry ground into the Promised Land, 185 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 1: a great miracle. Time and again we see this in 186 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: God's word. What appears to be impossible to human minds 187 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: has accomplished with a word or just a step of faith. 188 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:03,960 Speaker 1: When God is on the move. Whatever it is you 189 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 1: may be facing today, whatever river that seems uncrossable, or 190 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 1: obstacle that seems impassable, if God is calling you to 191 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: do it, then obey him and take that first step 192 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 1: and cross over in the miracle working power of God. 193 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:21,960 Speaker 1: As the leaders of each tribe crossed, they carried with 194 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 1: him a stone, according to God's command, from one side 195 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: of the river to the other. And when they were 196 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: safely on the other side, they built a memorial with 197 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 1: these stones. This would be a perpetual reminder for generations 198 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: to come of God's great might and faithfulness to his people. 199 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: The Israelites further showed their devotion to their God as 200 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 1: the men in camp, who were not yet circumcised, cut 201 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: off their four skins in remembrance of the covenant with Abraham. 202 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: The people then observed passover, remembering God's deliverance of them 203 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: from Egypt. The night when this whole journey began. All 204 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: seemed well, but there were still battles to fight, and 205 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: we're going to learn about these battles the next time. 206 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 1: Dear God, thank you for today's passage, which reminds us 207 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: that there is no obstacle that you cannot overcome. Help us, 208 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:15,839 Speaker 1: Old God to take steps of faith and trust you 209 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 1: in going through what you lead us through. In Jesus Name, Amen, 210 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 211 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey 212 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: dot Com app and make prayer a priority in your life. 213 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you know, 214 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 1: someone you love, because by sharing this podcast, you can 215 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: make a big difference in someone's life. In Jesus Name, 216 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: and if you want more resources on how to tap 217 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: into God's life, God's power, God's strength, for successful Christian living, 218 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God bless you. 219 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Medicher, an innovative healthcare solution 220 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality