Joshua 3:1-4

¹Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. ²After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

300

In the movie, 300, Xerxes king of Persia sent messengers to ask Leonidas king of Sparta to submit or face invasion. With 300 Spartans soldiers Leonidas decided to face the 120,000 soldiers of Xerxes. King Xerxes attacked. Leonidas and 300 soldiers stood their ground. King Xerxes sent thousands fearsome soldiers but Leonidas and his 300 soldiers overpowered them.

Earlier, a disfigured man named Ephialtes wanted to join the 300 Spartan soldiers. He was rejected because he was physically weak. Ephialtes went to King Xerxes and showed him the secret way in which they can defeat the 300 Spartan soldiers. As a result, the 300 Spartans including King Leonidas died in that battle.

The storyline of the movie 300 where an outcast Ephialtes helped the Persians to defeat the brave Spartans has similarity, in some way, when Rahab helped the two Israelite spies sent by Joshua to Jericho. With Rahab’s help, the Israelites conquered the well secured city of Jericho.
The Israelites did not rush to attack Jericho. They were very organized. They waited for the go-signal that the officers gave them.

1. Signal

¹Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.

The time has come for the Israelites to launch their Canaan crusade. They were prepared to invade the promise land. The city of Jericho had high walls. For sure, Jericho anticipated the Israelite’s invasion. Shaking in fear of Israel, the people of Jericho have to prepare for any attack. So how would the Israelites launch their attack? Which way?
The King of Jericho might have sent spies also to observe how the Israelites would enter Canaan. The Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River. The Jordan River was actually at flood stage. The Israelites have no idea how cross a river on flood stage.

²After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

The Israelites did not worry. They give no suggestion or contradicted their officers. The officers ordered the Israelites not to follow them but to follow the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord carried by the Levitical priests. The Israelites obeyed their officers. They focused their attention to the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. Great lesson here!
It is important to obey our leaders but our devotion should be to the Lord.
It has been said and encouraged to “follow our leaders.” Prayerful leaders are worthy to be followed. Pray for our church leaders that they may find time to join us at prayer meeting. Leaders and members should spend time with the Lord more often.
With many challenges in church life, we need to pray for enlightenment. We need to seek direction from God. Successful endeavor is decreed by the Lord.

Jonathan

Jonathan the son of King Saul initiated an attack against the Philistines. He said to his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 14:8-12, ⁸Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. ⁹If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. ¹⁰But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”
¹¹So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” ¹²The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”

Israel defeated the Philistines that day. Where did Jonathan get certainty that God has given the Philistines into their hands? Did God give Jonathan the signal he needed? How did Jonathan get his unwavering and firm confidence that they will win that day?
Bible students suggest that God himself has given Jonathan the idea of the signal that they will have victory against their enemies that day. It can be assumed that Jonathan was in-tuned with God. He was right before the eyes of God.

Many times we ask questions like: What is the will of God? How do we know that it is the will of God if we do this or that? Listen very carefully if you want answers.
If we know that we are right with God, if we know that we are keeping in step with God, there’s certainty that God would bring to mind ideas of His will—may it be ordinary ideas or not. The Holy Spirit produces peace that amplifies confidence in Him.
In 1 John 5:14-15, ¹⁴This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

If we have the confidence that we have Spirit of Jesus in our life, the same Spirit of Jesus gives us confidence that what we decide is in accordance to the will of God. He will give us strong sense of peace and confidence to our decision of new endeavor.

2. Sense

⁴Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

The Israelites have no clear idea what awaits them in Canaan. The two spies sent by Joshua had limited exposure. The officers gave order to follow but they should not go very near the Ark of the Covenant. They order to keep a distance has no explanation. Was it because the river water was rising? Was it about trust in the Lord?
The detailed order of the officers for the Israelites to keep distance from the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord was another exhibit of reverence for God’s instructions. It also showed unity and submission to their leaders.
It says in Romans 13:2, ²Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted…

Moses was the greatest leader of Israel. David was the greatest king of Israel. Their secret to greatness was their complete dependence upon the Lord. David was very successful in all his battles because he always inquired of the will of God before he moved or attacked their enemies.

David

In 2 Samuel 5:22-25, 22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ²³so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. ²⁴As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” ²⁵So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Before David attacked his enemies, he asked God for go-signal. God gave signals when to attack and strategic approach. David and his soldiers defeated the Philistines.
Do you have enemies, problems? Do you struggles with decisions-making? Even when we are very sure of what we do, it would be far better to pray. Problems are God’s prompters for us to pray. Indecisiveness is our go-signal to seek the will of God.
When you pray, remember Philippians 4:6-7, ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If you are not sure of what to do, keep on praying until God give you an idea of His will. God’s ideas are not ordinary. Your friends or relatives may find it weird. If you sense the peace from God, it may not have logical explanation. Peace from God gives you great confidence of which way to go. Keep praying… keep praying.

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