Joshua 4 begins with the people of Israel crossing the dry Jordan riverbed. Joshua tells a member of each of the twelve tribes to take a stone from the middle of the Jordan where the priests stand with the Ark of the Covenant. They are to bring the stones into camp with them. The stones will serve as a reminder to future generations of what God has done.

God exalts Joshua in front of the people and they stand in awe of him. God commands the priests to bring the Ark of the Covenant out of the Jordan. As soon as their feet touch the dry ground the river waters begin to flow again. Joshua sets up the stones in Gilgal and tells the people to tell their children what the stones mean when they ask. God dried up the Jordan for them to cross over just as He had done at the Red Sea.

It is important to have reminders of what God has done in our lives. In church we see empty crosses, baptismal fonts, the table with bread and a cup…reminders of what God has done. Do you have any reminders in your home that can prompt you to tell the story of how God has worked in your life?

As Joshua 5 opens the kings of the Promised Land hear that the Israelites have crossed over. They are frightened by the prospect.

God commands Joshua to circumcise all the males who have been born during the journey through the wilderness. None of them were circumcised on the journey. While they are waiting to heal the feast of Passover takes place. They are able to use the grains produced by the Promised Land for the unleavened bread. On this day the manna ceased to be produced. The people no longer need God’s special provision of food. The land will provide.

Later Joshua sees a man with a drawn sword standing in front of him. He asks if the man is one of their enemies. The man replies that he is the commander of the Lord’s army. The commander tells Joshua to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground, just like God said to Moses at the burning bush.

In Romans 10, Paul attests to the fact that the Jews who do not believe in Jesus have a zeal for God but they are not enlightened to the truth. Christ is the end, that is, the completion of the law. Righteousness comes no longer from keeping the law, but from belief in Jesus. Now all who believe are saved.

Paul says that the only way to believe is to hear the word. To hear the word someone must proclaim it. Some may ask if the Jews have heard the word. Paul responds that the word is being proclaimed. There is no excuse, but as Moses and Isaiah prophesied, God has held out His hand to Israel and now is turning to others as well.

While belief in Christ comes from the heart, it does not happen magically. God is revealed in His creation; Christ is revealed in the word proclaimed. Take time this week to be the one who proclaims the good news of Jesus to someone who needs to hear.