Joshua 4:23

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over.

Study Bible

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over
This phrase highlights God's miraculous intervention in the natural world, demonstrating His power and faithfulness to His people. The drying up of the Jordan River is a direct parallel to the earlier crossing of the Red Sea, reinforcing God's consistent provision and protection. The Jordan River, at flood stage during the Israelites' crossing, would have been a formidable barrier, emphasizing the miracle's significance. This event marks the transition from the wilderness wanderings to the conquest of Canaan, symbolizing a new beginning for Israel. It also serves as a testament to God's covenant promises, as the Israelites enter the land promised to their forefathers.

just as He did to the Red Sea
This comparison to the Red Sea crossing underscores the continuity of God's deliverance throughout Israel's history. The Red Sea event, a foundational moment in the Exodus narrative, established God's power over creation and His ability to save His people from seemingly insurmountable obstacles. By referencing the Red Sea, the text connects the current generation with their ancestors, reminding them of God's unchanging nature and His ongoing commitment to His covenant. This parallel also serves as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work, where deliverance from bondage and passage through water symbolize spiritual salvation and baptism.

which He dried up before us until we had crossed over
The phrase emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of God's action. The drying up of the waters allowed the entire nation to cross safely, signifying God's provision for all His people. This act of divine intervention is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to make a way where there seems to be none. It also reinforces the idea of collective identity and shared experience among the Israelites, as they witness God's mighty deeds together. The crossing over into the Promised Land is a fulfillment of God's promises, serving as a precursor to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who leads believers into the eternal Promised Land.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and faithfulness by performing miracles for His people.

2. Joshua
The leader of Israel who succeeded Moses, guiding the Israelites into the Promised Land.

3. The Jordan River
The body of water that God miraculously dried up to allow the Israelites to cross into Canaan.

4. The Israelites
The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are entering the Promised Land.

5. The Red Sea
The sea that God parted during the Exodus, allowing the Israelites to escape from Egypt.

Teaching Points

God's Faithfulness
God is faithful to His promises. Just as He led Israel through the Red Sea and the Jordan, He will lead us through our challenges.

Miracles as Reminders
The miracles of the Jordan and the Red Sea serve as reminders of God's power and presence. Reflect on how God has worked in your life.

Leadership and Obedience
Joshua's leadership and the people's obedience were crucial. Consider how God calls us to lead and follow in faith.

Trust in God's Timing
The Israelites had to wait for God's timing to cross the Jordan. Trust in God's perfect timing for the events in your life.

Memorials of Faith
The stones taken from the Jordan served as a memorial. Establish spiritual "memorials" in your life to remember God's faithfulness.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the crossing of the Jordan River compare to the crossing of the Red Sea, and what does this teach us about God's consistency?

2. In what ways can we create "memorials" in our lives to remember God's faithfulness and provision?

3. How does the leadership of Joshua inspire us to lead with faith and courage in our own communities?

4. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's timing. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

5. How can the account of the Jordan River crossing encourage us to face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our lives today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 14
The parting of the Red Sea is a foundational event in Israel's history, demonstrating God's deliverance and power.

Psalm 114
This psalm poetically recounts the miraculous events of the Exodus and the crossing of the Jordan, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nature.

Hebrews 11
The faith of the Israelites in crossing the Red Sea is highlighted as an example of faith in action.

Isaiah 43
God promises to do new things for His people, reminding them of past deliverances like the crossing of the Red Sea.