Week 2: Crossing the Jordan

Book of Joshua Chapters 3 & 4

Objective: 

• Crossing the Jordan

Resources:

• Book of Joshua - Fr Tadros Malaty Commentary (English)
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
• Fr Luka Maher Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

Chapters 3 & 4

Key verse(s):

"Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan." Joshua 3:11

Comments:

Chapter 3

• The Ark of the covenant of the Lord first: (Verses 1-6)
  • May God be your guide in the journey of your life, so that you remember Him at the beginning of each day as your sole goal and seek Him before any task, asking Him to guide you in all your steps.
• The miracle of crossing the Jordan (verses 12-17):
  • God is able to remove all obstacles from your path, just as He stopped the waters of the Jordan River for His people to cross. Do not be troubled by hindrances, no matter how great they may be. Continue steadfastly in prayer and do everything within your power with integrity. God is capable of removing all obstacles, even if they have persisted for a long time, and will lead you to the salvation of your soul.

Chapter 4

• The twelve stones (verses 1-13):
  • To commemorate the miracle of crossing the Jordan River, to serve as a testament to the miracle and would be taught by the parents to their children to reinforce their faith in God.

• Joshua said that placing the stones in Gilgal serves two purposes:

  1. It will remind surrounding nations of God's power, causing them to fear Him and not harm Israel.
  2. It will help the Israelites remember the miracle of crossing the Jordan, encouraging them to avoid sin and idol worship.

Here’s the chronological order of events from the beginning of the book until now:

1. God commanded Joshua to prepare for the departure to cross the Jordan on the third day of Nisan or a few days earlier (Joshua 1:11).
2. Joshua sent the spies on the third day of Nisan, and they stayed that night at Rahab's house (Joshua 2:1).
3. The spies hid in the mountains for three days: the 4th, 5th, and 6th of Nisan (Joshua 2:22).
4. The spies returned to Joshua on the 6th of Nisan (Joshua 2:23).
5. The leaders of the people were instructed to gather supplies on the 7th of Nisan and were informed that they would cross the Jordan in three days (Joshua 1:10-11).
6. They moved from Shittim to the Jordan River on the 9th of Nisan and camped there (Joshua 3:1).
7. They crossed the Jordan River on the 10th of Nisan (Joshua 4:19).

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

• Which river did the people Israel cross?
• Why did Joshua ask his people to sanctify themselves?
• How many men prepared for war, crossed the Jordan?
• What did the twelve men take from the Jordan River?
• What were the Israelites to teach their children when they ask them about the stones?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

• Where did the Israelites camp before crossing over Jordan?
• And they commanded the people, saying, when you see the _________of the Lord our God, and the priests the
  Levites bearing it, then you shall set out from your place, and go _________
• Who were the last ones to cross the River Jordan?
  • a) The people
  • b) the twelve carrying the stones
  • c) the priests carrying the Ark
  • d) the Levites
•  And Joshua said to them cross over before the _________ of the Lord your God into the midst of the _________,
  and each one of you take up a _________on his shoulder.