Entry into the Promised Land Basic 6 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

MEANING OF “ENTRY”

Entry means going into a place or entering. It means the act of coming or going in.

BACKGROUND TO ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND

After the Red Sea:

• Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 YEARS
• This was punishment for unbelief
• The generation that left Egypt died in the wilderness
• Only Joshua and Caleb (who had faith) survived
• Moses also died before entering (he saw it from a mountain)
• Joshua became the new leader

God’s Promise Renewed (Joshua 1:1-9):

• After Moses died, God spoke to Joshua
• “Moses My servant is dead”
• “Now arise, go over this Jordan”
• “You and all this people”
• “To the land I am giving them”
• God promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses

CROSSING THE RIVER JORDAN (Joshua 3-4)

Preparation (Joshua 3:1-6):

• Joshua and Israel camped by the Jordan River
• They stayed there 3 days
• Officers went through the camp with instructions
• People were to follow the Ark of the Covenant
• Keep distance of 2,000 cubits (about 3,000 feet)
• The Ark would show them the way
• The priests would carry the Ark

The Jordan River Challenge:

• The Jordan was at FLOOD STAGE (v.15)
• It overflowed its banks
• It was harvest time (spring)
• The river was wide and flowing fast
• Impossible to cross naturally
• About 40,000 soldiers plus families needed to cross

God’s Promise (Joshua 3:7-8, 13):

• God said to Joshua: “This day I will begin to exalt you”
• “That all Israel may know I am with you as I was with Moses”
• Tell the priests carrying the Ark:
• “When you come to the edge of the Jordan, stand in the water”
• God promised: “The waters will be cut off”
• “They will stand as a heap (pile up)”

The Miracle Crossing (Joshua 3:14-17):

Step 1: Priests Step In (v.15)

• The priests carried the Ark
• They came to the Jordan
• Their feet touched the water’s edge
• This required FAITH – stepping into flooding river!

Step 2: Waters Stop (v.16)

• As soon as feet touched water
• The waters from UPSTREAM stood still
• They rose up in a HEAP (pile)
• At Adam, a city far away (about 20 miles north)
• The waters flowing to the Dead Sea were CUT OFF
• The river bed became DRY

Step 3: Priests Stand Firm (v.17)

• The priests stood FIRM on dry ground
• In the MIDDLE of the Jordan
• While ALL ISRAEL crossed over
• On DRY GROUND
• Until all the nation finished crossing

Step 4: All Israel Crossed

• Every man, woman, and child
• All their possessions
• All their animals
• Crossed safely on dry ground
• Not one person fell or drowned

Key Differences: Red Sea vs. Jordan River

THE JOY OF CROSSING RIVER JORDAN

Why They Rejoiced:

1. The Impossible Became Possible

• A flooding river stopped
• They crossed on dry ground
• God showed His power again

2. God’s Presence Was Confirmed

• The Ark (God’s presence) led them
• God was with Joshua as with Moses
• They could trust their new leader

3. The Promise Was Being Fulfilled

• After 40 years of wandering
• They were finally entering
• The Promised Land was before them
• “A land flowing with milk and honey”

4. A New Beginning

• Old generation died in wilderness
• New generation entering blessing
• Hope for the future
• No more wandering

5. Victory Was Assured

• If God could stop a river
• He could defeat their enemies
• Nothing was impossible
• God was fighting for them

6. Faith Was Rewarded

• They obeyed God’s instructions
• They followed the Ark
• Their faith was vindicated
• God honored their trust

7. Fear Filled Their Enemies (Joshua 5:1)

• When Canaanite kings heard about it
• Their hearts melted
• There was no spirit in them
• Israel’s reputation went before them

Their Response:

• Worship and thanksgiving
• Renewed commitment to God
• Courage for battles ahead
• Celebration of God’s faithfulness

What the Crossing Meant:

Spiritually:

• Crossing from wilderness (sin) to Canaan (victory)
• Moving from wandering to purpose
• From promise to possession
• From death to life

Practically:

• They had a home now
• Land to cultivate
• Cities to live in
• Rest from wandering

Emotionally:

• Relief after 40 years
• Joy of arrival
• Excitement for future
• Peace in God’s provision

Joshua 4:23-24 – “For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea…that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”

Lessons for Us:

1. Step Out in Faith 
   1. Priests had to step in before waters stopped
   2. Sometimes we must act before seeing the miracle
   3. Faith precedes the breakthrough
2. Follow God’s Presence 
   1. Israel followed the Ark
   2. We must follow God’s leading
   3. Don’t go ahead of God
3. God Keeps His Promises 
   1. God promised Canaan to Abraham
   2. 600+ years later, He fulfilled it
   3. God’s timing is perfect
4. New Seasons Require Faith 
   1. New leader (Joshua), same God
   2. Don’t fear change
   3. God is constant
5. Past Victories Encourage Present Faith 
   1. God divided Red Sea
   2. God stopped Jordan River
   3. Remember what God has done

Homework: Compare the crossing of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan River.