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Post by Josh on Sept 13, 2009 18:21:47 GMT -8
Post your comments, questions, and discussion starters on Joshua chapters 3 and 4 as replies to this post.
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Post by Josh on Sept 28, 2009 15:57:35 GMT -8
Do any details of the crossing of the Jordan account seem spiritually significant to you?
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Post by christopher on Sept 28, 2009 17:47:09 GMT -8
Of course there is....there's hymns written about it after all . ’Tis a blessèd hope, and it cheers my soul, I shall rest by and by over Jordan; When my work is done and my crown is won, I shall rest, sweetly rest over Jordan.
Refrain
Over Jordan, over Jordan, I shall rest Sweetly rest by and by; ’Tis a precious hope, ’tis a blessèd hope, I shall rest, sweetly rest over Jordan.
’Tis a blessèd hope which my Savior gives, I shall rest by and by over Jordan; I shall see Him there in His mansion fair, When I rest, sweetly rest over Jordan.
Refrain
With a steadfast faith I will labor on, I shall rest, sweetly rest over Jordan; O what joy ’twill be the redeemed to see, When I rest, sweetly rest, over Jordan.
Refrain
And one of my favs... I am a poor wayfaring strangerWhile journeying through this world of woe; And there's no sickness, toil nor danger In that bright land to which I go.
I'm going there to see my Father, I'm going there no more to roam; I'm only go-going over Jordan, I'm only go-going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather ‘round me, I know my way is rough and steep; And beautiful fields lie just before me, Where God's redeemed there vigils keep.
I'm going there to see my Father, I'm going there no more to roam; I'm only go-going over Jordan, I'm only go-going over home.
<instrumental>
I'm going there to see my mother, I'm going there no more to roam; I'm only go-going over Jordan, I'm only go-going over home.
I want to wear that crown of glory, When I get home to that good land; Well I want to shout salvation's story, In concert with ohh the blood-washed band,
I'm going there to see my Saviour, I'm going there no more to roam; I'm only go-going over Jordan, I'm only go-going over home.
Well I'm only go-going over home. Yeah only go-going over home.
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Post by Josh on Sept 29, 2009 19:40:13 GMT -8
True enough.
Here are some thoughts of mine:
The Jordan river is significant in the Bible. Later, in the New Testament, it is the place where John baptizes the Israelites who were ready to repent in order to be prepared for entrance into the kingdom of God.
Jesus himself was baptised in the Jordan before His "conquest" of the strong man (the spiritual forces of evil).
So I see the crossing of the Jordan in this passage as symbolic of the preparation needed to enter into God's promises and God's kingdom. And the main symbol of that preparation in the lives of a Jesus follower is baptism.
What do you think?
More to come.
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Post by christopher on Sept 30, 2009 8:55:31 GMT -8
I got a slightly different take on this, but unfortunately I'm outta time at the moment. Ping me later if I forget to return to this thread.
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Post by Josh on Oct 1, 2009 19:27:13 GMT -8
Thou has been pinged.
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Post by Josh on Oct 1, 2009 19:40:30 GMT -8
Another transferable element of the story is the fact that the Jordan crossing occurs during the flood stage; that is, at the point when the obstacle is at it's strongest. This is a reoccuring theme in Scripture- God showing up just when things look most impossible. And this also says something about the times in which faith is needed.
Also, I think it's instructive that the priests are told they must set foot in the Jordan in faith before God provides a way forward. This resonates with my experience of faith; we must often "walk beyond our vision", "out on a limb" before we see the glory of God show up in unexpectedly miraculous ways.
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Post by Josh on Oct 1, 2009 19:44:39 GMT -8
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Post by Josh on Oct 3, 2009 15:19:58 GMT -8
In chapter 4, Joshua is told to choose twelve Israelites (one from each tribe) who are to set up the memorial stones. Jesus selection of 12 disciples is strongly reminiscent of Joshua's action. Both the rocks chosen and the disciples would serve as "signs" to their people. Hey- maybe Jesus was thinking of this passage when he called Peter the "rock" He would build His church upon
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