YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

The Book of Joshua

3:11-17
Recapping:

The people had sanctified themselves as a people unto God and the priests had
taken up the Ark of the Covenant and passed before them. Coming to the brink of the
Jordan, Joshua had called the children of Israel to “come hither, and hear the words of
the LORD your God.”

Joshua assures the nation that they shall know that the living God was among
them and that God would without fail drive out the “ite” nations from before them.

The Language of Figurative Symbolism

Chapters 3-5 of Joshua are filled full and overflowing with figurative symbolism:
repeated phrases, the name of the river and cities, the order of the march, the memorial
stones, as well as the ordinal of numbers referenced within the text, circumcision with
the celebration of the Passover ~ all of these events recorded, detail in figure the
prophetic conclusion of the kingdom of God.

This manner of symbolic teaching was commonly known to the sons of Israel, as
had been taught them by their Father Abraham and then down through the generations
(Genesis 18:19).

My exhortation is ~ as we look at the content of the literal text ~ the works of

God, we must remember to also consider the underlying broader pictorial of the
figurative message ~ the ways of God.

The Works and Ways of God

Just as man is literal and figurative in his communication, so is God. God’s

written word is the literal revelation of His will expressed figuratively.

The literal declares who God is and what He has done ~ as is seen in the actions
of His works. God’s figurative expressions are the revelation of God’s ways ~ His
manner and method.

It is the design of the Creator to use the figurative to provoke the thinking of man
to desire to know God’s ways. Thus, it is important to consider both forms of
communication ~ the literal word of God and the expressive figurative messages.

Let’s keep in mind that while the events in the book of Joshua were literal they
are also prophetic, figurative pictorials of His ways. Let’s do a quick review of the
language of the figurative pictorial behind names, ordinals, colors and animals.

1
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

Names and Ordinals

Names in the Scriptures have significance. Persons and places are not given
names in the Scriptures because the name is liked. The offspring or place is often
named according to the word of the LORD, as the name reflects the circumstances
surrounding the particular time and place or is figurative of a prophecy of that which
shall be.

Numerology is significant in the design of that which has been brought forth in
terms of the underpinning of all that has been created; the universe is ruled by
mathematical equations that cannot change, everything is synchronized in a
prearranged order.
God also uses numbers in His symmetrical design of language. In the figurative
expression of the language of numerology, numbers symbolizes truth concerning the
Person of God and His works.

Language of Color

The figurative language of color is recognized worldwide. The color red for
example is the universal color of love, while green speaks of life and blue of the
heavenly realm.

As with the days of the week identified by ordinals, God designed, placed in
sequence, named and gave color to the covenant star signs in the heavens to prophesy
in figure His covenant message.

Animals

The Law of the Offerings given to be preserved down through the generations of
Abraham’s descendants would act as a reminder of God’s Eternal Covenant for the
Land of Promise until the ratifying of that Eternal Covenant in time with the blood shed
of the Covenant Son (Lev.1:1 through 7:38; Gal.3:19-26; Heb.9:11-28).

Each animal used in the ceremonial offerings figured a certain aspect of the
Person and Work of the Covenant Son as we saw in our study of the Land of Promise in
Genesis 15.

We are not going to look at all the animals of the Levitical offerings this morning
but I’ve mentioned them to give an understanding of how important the language of the
figurative pictorial and the figurative message truly is.

Now having said all that ~ while the figurative language is an absolutely
necessary component in studying the word of God there is also danger in taking the
figurative expression and forcing it to fit the literal word.

2
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

Likewise, considering only the literal and ignoring God’s figurative expression is
just as hazardous. As both methods are used of God in making Himself known, they
must agree and bear witness one with the other.

The two must be in complete harmony, totally balanced in their union of the
Truth. As the message pertains to the text under discussion, there cannot be any
disagreement. The two methods of communication must be one in their purpose and
design.

The Lord of All the Earth

Joshua 3:11:

“Behold, the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before
you into Jordan.”

“The Lord of all the earth” is the first of several repeated phrases mentioned within
the text of Joshua chapters 3-5. It is first recorded in verse 3:11 and then repeated
again in verse 3:13.

When a phrase is repeated, figuratively in the language of numerology the ordinal

two speaks of the affirmation of the witness of a true testimony ~ when two or more
agree.

As we learned from our last lesson, the name Lord used here is not associated with
the One who is the self-existent One. The name Lord, capital L lower case ord is Adoni
~ God is the Master.

Thus, Israel is to “Behold” ~ the Ark of the Covenant of the Master of all the earth
that is to pass before them into Jordan. They are to “Pay Attention” to this fact.

The Ark is a pictorial of God ~ the Spirit Being of Deity~ God the Master Adoni ~
“come down to the earth” figuratively expressing not only the uniting of the realms of
heaven and earth, but articulating the Authority of the rule in the kingdom of God on the
earth. He is the Lord of all the earth!

This Ark ~ the Ark of the Master of all the earth is understood within the figurative
language to be figurative of the separate but combined elements of the fullness of the
Godhead of the Covenant dwelling “bodily” among His people.

Thus, the Ark of the Lord of all the earth which figuratively expresses ~ Adoni the
Master of all the earth, is the witness ~ the true testimony ~ the authentic verification of
God come in the flesh ~ the ruling Authority in the kingdom of God.

3
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

The Dawning of the New Day

This is the dawning of a new day for Israel. Joshua’s account in the book is a
military record of the nation’s activities. Israel’s march is a military operation ~ this is a
march of the LORD’S army into the land of their inheritance.

When you read through the book of Joshua you need to be thinking military,
soldiers ~ fighting men armed and disciplined. Forgetting those things which lie behind,
onward and upward is the exhortation!

God’s covenant people, having sanctified themselves unto Him, set out that
morning with the solemn anticipation of the passing of the Ark of the Covenant of the
Lord of all the earth passing before them leading the way.

Now then, before we proceed, basically chapters 3-5 is a time period of four
days. Chapters 3&4 are the same day. Because we are considering the figurative
pictorial, we will be spending a considerable amount of time in these chapters before
coming to the battle of Jericho.

The Odds of Success

As amazing as the thought is that Israel is the LORD’S army and they have God
~ the Master of all the earth going before them, I want us to consider the odds for
success the nation was facing in terms of the “natural” realm.

When God entered into time (Genesis 1:1) He limited himself. The “wonders” He
performs, He does according to the natural realm. Wonders are not the same thing as
miracles. Miracles carry the idea of the touch of the Divine.

Because we are a society of “lumpers”, we lump everything into categories and

instead of calling it what it is, we make it something it is not. What I am hoping to do is
to debunk the idea of the mystical, in understanding that God is not mystical, He is
other than His creation and yet works within in the realm of His creation.

Working within the realm of the creation magnifies the otherness of God. The
verb “wonders” has the meaning to do something wonderful, to do something
extraordinary, or difficult and frequently signifies the wondrous works of God, especially
His deliverance and judgements.

The Crossing Over Point

The crossing over point was basically a strategy of position. Joshua’s objective
as military leader was to gain the bridgehead ~ the fortress and plain of Jericho. The
bridgehead was the ideal tactical location for the preparation of the battles to come.

4
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

Obstacle One ~ The Flooded River

The one place shallow enough that afforded the possibility of crossing over the
Jordan was the fords at Shittim (Joshua 2:7).

However, in order to cross at the fords, Israel would have needed to funnel into
that one spot with two million people, cattle and possessions, which militarily speaking,
was not only unimaginable but unwise.

Obstacle Two ~ Exposure to the Enemy

Although encamping near Jericho ~ the bridgehead from which Joshua could
launch all subsequent assaults westward, southward and northward would be
considered a great advantage, it would have also been deemed reckless due to the
amount of time involved to set up camp.

No matter how efficient the Israelites were at tearing down and setting up camp,
as a military band you would not leave yourself exposed to the enemy in that manner.

Military logic aside, considering the two obstacles ~ the flooding of the Jordan
and the exposure of the Israelites to gain the position of the bridgehead necessary for
the hour of the siege, the questions come, how is Israel to cross and where shall they
set-up camp?

The Way of Victory is Through!

Flooding or not, the way to the bridgehead is through the Jordan. The way past
obstacle one ~ the path to victory ~ is through the obstacle ~ the parting of the waters
of the Jordan.

And if Jericho has heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea, do
you suppose they expected Israel to cross at the fords? No, of course not! If the LORD
made a path in the sea, what is the river Jordan?

Now then, as to obstacle two ~ the exposure issue. How is Israel to deal with
that? The fear of the LORD! If Rahab understood you don’t mess with God’s people
then exposure will not be a problem.

Once the water is parted and Israel crosses the river, the hearts of all the kings of
the Amorites and all the kings of the Canaanites melt from fear and there will be no
fighting spirit left in them.

This fear of the Lord of all the earth will enable Israel to not only set up camp with
the memorial stones in Gilgal, but also the great stones in Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy
27:1 through 28:10) with the words of the law on them and provide them with the

5
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

needed time to circumcise the foreskin of all the males, as well as celebrate the
Passover before ever setting foot in Jericho.

So, what is logical militarily speaking and yet ridiculous to the natural man in its
impossibility, is the wisdom of God that He might display His wonders on Israel’s behalf.

This display of something extraordinarily difficult ~ this wonder of the LORD is

that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty and
that Israel might fear the LORD their God ~ continue to reverence Him ~ forever. “The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

Having therefore arrived at the brink of Jordan and having heard the words of the
LORD their God, the children of Israel stand in quiet confidence waiting to take hold of
and obtain the wonders that the LORD will do among them.

Joshua 3:12-17- 4:1-24: Read

Order is Everything

The order of the march provides a figurative pictorial of the establishment of the
kingdom. The priests are the first into the Jordan followed by Joshua and then would
appear the twelve men and finally all the people.

Twelve Men Figurative of the Government of God

The ordinal twelve is the number which figuratively expresses the last of the
perfect numbers. Perfect numbers in Scriptural numerology refer to ordinals that lay
special emphasis within the Scripture by occurring multiple numbers of times.

There are four perfect numbers within the scripture. They are 3, 7, 10 and 12.
Three is the number of Divine perfection. Seven is the number of Spiritual perfection.
Ten is the number of Ordinal perfection and Twelve is the number that signifies
Governmental perfection. Thus the 12 sons of Israel figuratively speak of the
governmental perfection of God through His nation Israel.

Kingdom of Priests, Peace and Righteousness

Although Israel is crossing the Jordan as the army of the LORD God, to destroy
the nations of the “ites” as judged, and those nations will get the fruit of their doing ~
never to recover as nations, it doesn’t mean individuals from these nations weren’t
spared.

Individuals who sided with Israel and believed into the living and true God would
not perish in the destruction as can been seen in their names being recorded in Israel’s
Scriptures with careful note of their lineage. Rahab is the most prominent figure in the
book of Joshua to believe into the living and true God (Joshua 2:11b, 6:17).
6
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

Laws of Warfare

Although not stated in the book of Joshua, in Deuteronomy 20:10-18 are the
Laws of Warfare. Verses 10-12 give the guidelines to Israel, to first offer peace to the
nation in question.

Should that nation refuse to make peace with Israel ~ it is considered that the
nation is the one making war with Israel instead of the other way around. The Jews are
not the aggressors of humanity but the defenders. Those nations to whom Israel does
offer peace have encroached on Israel’s Land of Promise.

Thus, the kingdom of God on earth will be a kingdom of peace and righteousness
~ a kingdom of priests. Therefore, it is the priests that set foot first in the path of victory.
Priests are mediators of peace between God and men.

The victory of the possession of the land is on the basis of the Righteousness of
the Conqueror ~ Jehovah is salvation ~ figured in Israel’s leader Joshua.

Finally, the Government of God ~ the government of peace and righteousness ~

the law of the land (Deuteronomy 27:1 through 28:10), will be administered through the
nation Israel as figured with the 12 men.

The Waters of Jordan Cut Off

Once the priests bearing the Ark reached the swollen river line and dipped their
feet into the water at its edge, wonder of wonders, the waters part.

The waters were held back in one heap ~ “in one head”, upstream very far at the
city Adam ~ beside Zaretan (Joshua 3:16). The riverbanks and bed drained of the flow
of water ~ even to the Salt Sea making a wide berth that permitted all Israel to pass
over right against Jericho on dry ground.

Dry is not Damp

Joshua 3:17 twice mentions the fact that the ground was dry: “When the priests
who had advanced from the water’s edge toward the midst of the river stood firm on dry
ground and all Israel passed over on dry ground.”

Dry is not damp. Dry is dry. The central principle of the Hebrew word used for
dry has the meaning of a lack of moisture. The ground is not damp or muddy ~ it is dry.
Hence the feet of the priests are standing firm and not sinking in mud and the nation is
able to pass over on dry ground.

Within the passage of the text, Joshua links the circumstances of the dry
ground of the River Jordan with that of the Red Sea. However, that is where the
7
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

similarities end between the two crossings. The ground was dry but other than that, the
two crossings are not figurative of one another.

The Red Sea

Exodus 13:17-14:29

Beginning with the definition of the name of the Red Sea ~ along with the
circumstances surrounding the crossing, clearly you can see the crossing of Jordan is
nothing like the crossing of the Red Sea.

Red Sea means “to come to an end, whirlwind,”

Israel is fleeing for her life from the enemies of Egypt,

Moses held the rod in his hands over the water,

The passing was done at night under the shadow of darkness,

The Glory Cloud was both the vanguard: the Light leading the way and
rearguard: protecting the nation,

No memorial stones are gathered to memorialize the crossing and finally,

Pharaoh and his horses, his chariots and his horsemen were all overthrown in the midst
of the sea when morning appeared.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10) ~ an assembly known for
its rebellion, likened Israel’s covering of the Glory Cloud and crossing of the Red Sea to
being baptized unto Moses.

Baptism

This baptism of the nation unto Moses was very much like the baptism of John’s
in the New Testament. The baptism was one of repentance ~ a cleansing of what could
be, but not salvation unto eternal life.

Would the nation follow Moses? Would they not lust after evil things, neither be
idolaters? Would they not commit fornication or tempt God? Or murmur? Would this
people repent?

River Jordan
Jordan, Adam and Zaretan

The name Jordan has the meaning of “their descent.” The city Adam has the
meaning “man, red earth.” Zaretan means “their distress.”

8
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

As previously mentioned, names in the Scriptures have significance, as the name

reflects the circumstances surrounding the particular time and place or is figurative of a
prophecy of that which shall be, or sometimes both.

Remember that the figurative pictorial of the book of Joshua is of God’s kingdom
come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This second generation of Israel
figures the last generation Israel ~ the remnant who survives Jacob’s time of trouble to
enter the land and receive of their inheritance as a betrothal gift.

Crossing the Jordan in figure is the remnant who will be “baptized” by fire. From
“their descent” ~ this creation of “man of the earth,” will come forth from “their distress”
baptized ~ “cleansed” with the Holy Ghost and fire (Luke 3:16,17) ~ a creation of sons
of God ~ a royal priesthood ~ a kingdom of God on earth.

Dawn is the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise. The crossing
(Joshua 3:5) most likely began at dawn. Again, a figure ~ when He who is the Light ~
the Conqueror ~ returns to set up His kingdom and makes His appearance in the sky,
Israel will look on Him whom they have pierced and will be cleansed from all
unrighteousness (Zech. 12:10).

Ordinals

Although not stated in the text, there are 4 priests; one for each corner of the Ark
plus 1 leader and 12 sons of Israel.

Four in the language of figurative numerology speaks of the four corners of the
earth. It denotes and marks that which follows God, His creative works.

In this sense within the text His creative works as it pertains to the four corners of
the earth is the setting up of His kingdom on earth.

The Leader: One is “first” – the ordinal that speaks of the true beginning of all.
“One” excludes all difference and marks the beginning.

As previously stated the 12 sons of Israel are not counted as individuals but
represent the nation (1) as a collective: totaling six. Six figuratively represents the
number associated with man because it is the day of his creation and associated with
man’s labor.

Thus, within the figurative pictorial of the name of the river and cities combined
with the ordinal of numbers ~ 2 (dry ground) +4 (priests) +1 (Conqueror) +1 (Nation) the
sum = 8 ~ the ordinal which is indicative of a new beginning.

9
YT Lesson 11 Joshua part 6 chapter 3:11-17

The figurative pictorial is of the second-generation Israel on the dawning of their

new day when the last generation Israel ~ the future generation Israel ~ on their day of
dawning when they will be born in a day (Isaiah 66:8).

The Covenant for the Land

Set apart unto the LORD, Israel will have a new beginning in the land promised.
The covenant land ~ the land for the earthly seed of the sons of Abraham.

Without land, there is no kingdom of God on earth. The “Take Me” Eternal
Covenant offering, offered by the LORD God was for the land.

God had given Abraham His word ~ in promise (Genesis 13:15; 15:9-21). With
the “Take Me” offering, the covenant of blood shed was for the property of promise.
Though the inheritance of the land would be far, far in the future ~ Abraham had
absolute assurance. He had watched the Covenant for the land being “signed” by the
consuming fire of the smoking furnace and burning lamp. Each figure, figured the One
in whose blood the Eternal Covenant would be ratified upon earth ~ the Light of the
world. Abraham got the picture.

God’s Eternal Covenant was His own, made with Himself and no other. His plan
for a Kingdom of Sons of God on earth ~ man in His image after His likeness would be
fulfilled in the Covenant Son.

On the dawning of the day of the LORD ~ not unlike Joshua’s day, not only will
the Gilgal of Egypt be rolled away, but the Gilgal of the world, which Egypt types will be
rolled away.

Never again will the nation as a collective people reject their Messiah, and the land
received will be through the inheritance of the Seed ~ Christ the Messiah as revealed in
the “Take Me” offering.

This concludes the lesson. Next time we will be considering the figurative message of
the stones. So, if you’d like to prepare for the next lesson please read Joshua 4 and
Deuteronomy chapters 27 & 28:1-10.

10