Generational Education and Change - Joshua 1-5

Joshua 3:11-13 (ESV)

Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”

Moses has passed and Joshua now leads. He is about to lead the nation into the Promise Land.   But he has to get across the Jordan, that at this time, was overflowing its banks.   Joshua informs this new generation of Israelites about how this is going to work.  At this point, we should remember a couple of things: 

1.  Joshua had this experience himself as a forty year old man, crossing the Red Sea under Moses.  The only two people left in Israel at this time that were over 20 at that time, 40 years later, are Joshua and Caleb.   They each walked through the Red Sea on dry ground.  We are not told how Joshua knew this Jordon crossing was about to happen.  We don’t know if God gave him special revelation about it.  We don’t know if he reasoned it out that God would have to do this miracle for them to get to the Promise Land.  Or, did he ask God to give him this miracle?   Joshua seems to have some military, tactical prowess.  Perhaps he reasoned what God would do and needed to do if he but asked. 

2. Most of the people did not know about this Red Sea experience.  These were new Israelites. Most of them were born in the wilderness.  There were those who were under 20 years old who did experience the Red Sea as young people.  Most would have remembered an experience like this.    God is providing this group a visual that as He was with Moses, so too, He was with Joshua.  For this new generation, born in the wilderness, God is giving them just another great sign of His power and His promises fulfilled. 

This story is a great example of the following:

Psalms 71:17-19 (ESV)

O God, from my youth you have taught me,

and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,

O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

your power to all those to come.

Your righteousness, O God,

reaches the high heavens.

You who have done great things,

O God, who is like you?

One generation is to tell the next generation about the power and majesty of God.   

Psalms 145:4-7 (ESV)

One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness

and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.