Joshua 3
Judges 3 describes the story that unfolds after the Israelites settle in the land of Canaan: their continued hardships as they disobey God, and God’s judges (leaders) who deliver them. This chapter continues with records of three judges—Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar—and you can also see the background of each judge’s appearance, the process of deliverance, and the repeated pattern of faith among the Israelites.
1verseJoshua got up early in the morning; and they moved from Shittim and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel. They camped there before they crossed over.
2verseAfter three days, the officers went through the middle of the camp;
3verseand they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the LORD your God’s covenant, and the Levitical priests bearing it, then leave your place and follow it.
4verseYet there shall be a space between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measure—don’t come closer to it—that you may know the way by which you must go; for you have not passed this way before.”
5verseJoshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
6verseJoshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and cross over before the people.” They took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
7verseThe LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
8verseYou shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”
9verseJoshua said to the children of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.”
10verseJoshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite out from before you.
11verseBehold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into the Jordan.
12verseNow therefore take twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.
13verseIt shall be that when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of GOD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off. The waters that come down from above shall stand in one heap.”
14verseWhen the people moved from their tents to pass over the Jordan, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant being before the people,
15verseand when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest),
16versethe waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people passed over near Jericho.
17verseThe priests who bore the ark of the LORD’s covenant stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan.
The Repeating Cyclical Pattern of Israel
- The Israelites forget God and worship idols.
- Surrounding nations of the time (here, Mesopotamia, Moab, the Philistines, etc.) oppress Israel.
- In their suffering, Israel cries out to God.
- God raises up judges to deliver the people.
- Peace comes with deliverance, but after some time, disobedience repeats itself again.
The Roles and Characteristics of Each Judge
| Judge | Oppressor | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Othniel | Mesopotamia | The first judge in Israel. The Spirit of the LORD comes upon Othniel, and he delivers Israel |
| Ehud | Moab | The left-handed judge. He judges Moab’s king, Eglon, with wisdom and boldness |
| Shamgar | Philistines | Defeats 600 Philistines with an oxgoad |
Points for Reflection
- At times, can I also take a look at whether my faith has grown dull and whether I’ve become exposed to temptations from the world?
- Through Israel crying out to God amid suffering, I can think about how I should respond when I face difficulties.
- I can also reflect again that God is the one who restores by faithfully raising up leaders for the task.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- You can face the repeating mistakes in your life of faith and the process of restoration, and use that awareness to check yourself.
- Today as well, you can trust in God’s help coming to you, and resolve to live by responding to God’s calling in each person’s own place.
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