This week I have been studying the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24, Luke 21, Mark 13) and thinking a lot about God’s plan for the future which Jesus describes in great detail in this private briefing to his nearest friends (Peter, James, Andrew, John). It is both ominous and magnificent. Yesterday I was reading through the gospels and gathering all the straightforward things Jesus taught about the future. Today I find myself reflecting upon the awesome way that God has orchestrated history, so that every detail recorded in his word shows his amazing authorship. What does the past tell us about the future, my future?
My Hebrew devotional reading today was from Joshua chapter 3. For a little context, After 40 years in the desert only Joshua and Caleb remained from the original generation that had turned away in fear not believing that God could deliver the promised land to them. Moses their prophet, shepherd, judge and spiritual guide was also deemed unworthy of entering because “he did not honor God as holy” when he struck rather than simply spoke to the rock to bring forth water as God commanded (Num 20:8-12). Moses passed the mantle of leadership to Joshua before he died. This new generation of the people of God were finally ready to cross the Jordan into the land promised by God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As promised, it was a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of grape clusters as big as basketballs. But the Jordan stood ominously before them a surging flood.
At a spiritual level the promised land is heaven. The names Jesus and Joshua in Hebrew share the same root and mean “God my salvation”. Caleb means “Dog”, which is often a derogatory reference to gentile sinners in the Bible (for example: Psalm 22:16, Matt 15:26, Rev 22:15)). So the first Israelites are rejected due to unbelief and the only two deemed worthy are “God my salvation”, who leads the people, and the one faithful follower “Gentile sinner”. Hidden behind these real events is the story of Jesus, his rejection by Israel and the saving faith of the gentile church represented by Caleb.
Let me unfold more of what I saw as I looked at this pinnacle moment in the history of Israel:
Verse 1-2 The people of God camped three days before crossing the Jordan. (Jesus was in the grave 3 days before the way to heaven was opened)
Verse 2-4 Joshua The Israelites were told to wait and follow the Levitical priests carrying the ark of the covenant (the presence of God) which was to travel ahead of the Israelites by 2000 cubits across the Jordan on dry ground. (Almost 2000 years ago Jesus ascended to heaven but he promised his disciples: John 14:2-3 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”).
Joshua 3:4 The leaders of the people explained why they must wait and follow the ark: “Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” (Jesus assured his disciples: John 14:4-7 “You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”)
Joshua 3:7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” (Jesus too is exalted in the eyes of his people because he was pierced (and profaned – becoming accursed in bearing our sin) so that we know that God is with us. He is the promised prophet who was to come like Moses: “you must listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15,18)) This is not obvious from our English translation, but the Hebrew the word translated “begin”( אָחֵל pronounced a-chel) in Joshua 3:7 also means “profane” (see Ezek 39:7 “not profane my name anymore”). The root of this word חָלַל (pronounced cha-lal) literally means to “bore, pierce or wound” (see Isaiah 53:5 “he was pierced מֲחֹלָל for our transgressions”). Let me be clear, I am not criticizing the translation. A translator should clearly choose the meaning “begin” from the context. However, in light of what we now know about Jesus, these other two meanings “profane” or “pierce” are highly significant.
Joshua 3:12 “Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.” These men took 12 stones from the dry river bed to make a monument as a lasting memorial (See Josh 4). (Jesus chose 12 apostles to follow him and they with the help of their disciples left a memorial to him, the written word of God, the Bible)
Joshua 3:13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” The living water is stopped. The flooding Jordan piles up far upstream so the people can cross safely. (Jesus is the living water[1]: Jesus dies and is dead for 3 days. Because of this, through faith in him, He makes a way for us to be forgiven and enter heaven.)
Joshua 3:17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Even though Jesus entered heaven long before us, yet he promises to escort each one of us safely home. He is present with us as we cross over from death to life. None of His people are left behind.)
As I ponder about the future of the world, about the future of God’s people, and Jesus’ plan, what I really find myself wondering is about my future. I think the lesson is that I can trust God. His promises are sure, because He is trustworthy and faithful. His plan and his purpose will not fail.
It reminds me of one of the first promises God gave to Joshua:
Joshua 1:5 “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Jesus promises me the same thing: “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20b) This is the very last phrase of Matthew’s gospel.
When we consider the future, Jesus wants us to remember:
Romans 8:37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
[1] John 4:10 “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Atheist to Elder 