Monday, June 19, 2006
Water runs dry - Boyz II Men
Pop-quiz - who was the leader of the Isrealites who brought them across a river on dry ground?
Top marks if your answer is Joshua (Moses brought them across the Red Sea)!
We were doing Joshua chapter 3 for Bible Study last Wednesday (read the passage here).
Basically, the passage was about the preparation for the river crossing and subsequently the actual crossing of River Jordan into Jericho.
While River Jordan may not have been as dramatic as the drying of the Red Sea - and hence, it always lived (unfortunately) in the shadow of the latter - it was nonetheless a great miracle.
Evidence showed that at that point of time (harvest), the River Jordan around Jericho is overflowing - and is longer that 100 yards in breadth. Those who have seen rivers swelled up and rushing on will have an idea of how scary it is to even take a boat across!
There were a few things which came to mind as we did the passage:-
1. Jeff pointed out interestingly the contrast of attitudes between the Israelites and their forefathers. In the past (40 years ago to be exact), their fathers were at the same point - just about to enter into Jericho. But they were filled with fear and disbelief. They were complaining. They rebelled against Moses and God. They even accused God of taking them thus far only to murder them!
Yet in Joshua 3, we see none of that. The people were quiet and obedient. They did as they were told. They trusted God.
Wat a lesson! I admit that there are times when i still complain if things dun go the way i want them too - and this in spite of seeing how God time and time again was in control of everything and that all was done for my good.
2. And the faith! Wow! Look at verse 9. The waters will only be cut off when the priests set foot on the river!!!!! Yet none of the priests suggested "Lord, why dun you dry up the river first and then only we step foot in it?"
A small step by the priests - but wat a leap of faith it was. Imagine the scene - they priests all decked up in their garments, carrying the ark of covenant, at the end of an overflowing river wif strong currents. Did they pause slightly just before they went in? Or did they just carry on walking? We dun know but we do know that they did walk into the river.
3. This passge is again another reminder that with God, nothing is impossible. This miracle was more than just a pointless show of might or a pre-war entertainment!
Try being in the sandals of the Israelites - most did not cross the Red Sea. if they did, they were really young. So yes, they have heard of the great and mighty signs that God had done in the past.
But that was so long ago...
And then imagine their reaction when they see the River drying up in front of them, just like how the Red Sea was parted. Note that the passage said that they crossed over on dry land! Not only were the waters stopped but the ground was made dry! Millions of Israelites crossed over that day.
What a reminder and reassurance from God that he is all powerful!
As Joshua said in verse 10 - "This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites."
Yet how many times we have looked in a situation and gave up hope? No way that is gonna happen. No way he will believe. No way she will change.
With God, all things are possible! Matthew 19v26
Am looking forward to this Wednesday's Bible Study - even if it means that i'll be missing the Argentina v. Holland game!!!!!!
Top marks if your answer is Joshua (Moses brought them across the Red Sea)!
We were doing Joshua chapter 3 for Bible Study last Wednesday (read the passage here).
Basically, the passage was about the preparation for the river crossing and subsequently the actual crossing of River Jordan into Jericho.
While River Jordan may not have been as dramatic as the drying of the Red Sea - and hence, it always lived (unfortunately) in the shadow of the latter - it was nonetheless a great miracle.
Evidence showed that at that point of time (harvest), the River Jordan around Jericho is overflowing - and is longer that 100 yards in breadth. Those who have seen rivers swelled up and rushing on will have an idea of how scary it is to even take a boat across!
There were a few things which came to mind as we did the passage:-
1. Jeff pointed out interestingly the contrast of attitudes between the Israelites and their forefathers. In the past (40 years ago to be exact), their fathers were at the same point - just about to enter into Jericho. But they were filled with fear and disbelief. They were complaining. They rebelled against Moses and God. They even accused God of taking them thus far only to murder them!
Yet in Joshua 3, we see none of that. The people were quiet and obedient. They did as they were told. They trusted God.
Wat a lesson! I admit that there are times when i still complain if things dun go the way i want them too - and this in spite of seeing how God time and time again was in control of everything and that all was done for my good.
2. And the faith! Wow! Look at verse 9. The waters will only be cut off when the priests set foot on the river!!!!! Yet none of the priests suggested "Lord, why dun you dry up the river first and then only we step foot in it?"
A small step by the priests - but wat a leap of faith it was. Imagine the scene - they priests all decked up in their garments, carrying the ark of covenant, at the end of an overflowing river wif strong currents. Did they pause slightly just before they went in? Or did they just carry on walking? We dun know but we do know that they did walk into the river.
3. This passge is again another reminder that with God, nothing is impossible. This miracle was more than just a pointless show of might or a pre-war entertainment!
Try being in the sandals of the Israelites - most did not cross the Red Sea. if they did, they were really young. So yes, they have heard of the great and mighty signs that God had done in the past.
But that was so long ago...
And then imagine their reaction when they see the River drying up in front of them, just like how the Red Sea was parted. Note that the passage said that they crossed over on dry land! Not only were the waters stopped but the ground was made dry! Millions of Israelites crossed over that day.
What a reminder and reassurance from God that he is all powerful!
As Joshua said in verse 10 - "This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites."
Yet how many times we have looked in a situation and gave up hope? No way that is gonna happen. No way he will believe. No way she will change.
With God, all things are possible! Matthew 19v26
Am looking forward to this Wednesday's Bible Study - even if it means that i'll be missing the Argentina v. Holland game!!!!!!
# posted by imissw : 5:32:00 pm
