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            The time had finally come for the children of Israel to receive the promise that had been made to their ancestor Abraham hundreds of years ago (Genesis 12:1). Their generation would have the privilege and blessing of being able to enter the land of Canaan. Joshua told the Israelites that they were to follow the “ark of the covenant of the Lord” being carried by “the priests and the Levites” (Joshua 3:3). They were instructed to not come too close, but to keep their distance behind it of some 2,000 cubits (about 1,333 feet). To put that distance in perspective, they would have followed from a distance equal to four and one-half American football fields. It is then that Joshua said to them “that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before” (Joshua 3:4).
            In thinking about Joshua’s comment to them, “for you have not passed this way before”, those words ring true in our lives as we pass this way in life. Every new thing that one learns and experiences in this earth-life and in a spiritual sense relates to what Joshua told them. They had not passed that way before and almost every day we as human beings and as Christians find ourselves on a path that we have not passed before. With that fact in mind, how does one pass through that new path day after day? It is done by following the same principles that enabled the children of Israel to pass that way.
            First, “And Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves…’” (Joshua 3:7). In order for the children of Israel to be successful in their passing into the land of Canaan they needed to be a people prepared spiritually. They were to “sanctify” themselves or that is to set themselves apart from the world, to be a distinct people, a “holy nation” or “a peculiar people”, as Peter wrote that Christians are to be (1 Peter 2:9). The “status quo” for the children of Israel would not lead them into Canaan, and the worldly “status quo” for the Christian will not lead one to the spiritual land of Canaan, heaven. They were to be a people dedicated to God and his purposes as are Christians today. However, so often the modern people of God desire to reflect the world rather than be different from the world. Too often the most important people in the lives of Christians are entertainers, musical artists, sports figures, and at times even political figures. This is not to say that one cannot enjoy various forms of entertainment, but when they almost become “idols” to children, young people, and adults, then caution needs to be taken. The children of Israel did follow the priests and the Levites that stepped into the Jordan River, and it became a dry path for them. It was a path that they had never walked before.
            Second, Joshua told the people of God to “Come here and hear the words of the Lord your God” (Joshua 3:9). The Lord’s people were not to take one step in the way that they had never gone before without seeking the counsel of the “words of the Lord”. That same principle and truth is equally applicable to the Lord’s children in our times, also. Just as they needed to rely upon the Word of God, so it is with Christians. For that reason, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through your truth, your word is truth” (John 17:17). Had the children of Israel tried to cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan without the Word of God in their hearts they would not have been successful in their crossing. As we constantly pass through ways that we have not passed before we too must rely upon the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Lord wants to have his Word written on the hearts of his children today. The Word is written on the heart when it is believed, applied personally, and obeyed. Joshua says to us, also, “for you have not passed this way before”.