“Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it,” Joshua 1:11.

How wonderfully is the Gospel portrayed in many illustrative events in the histories recorded in the Holy Scriptures. I was made to ponder this when reading this chapter at the end of the month of June this year.

I believe we have an example of the merciful care God takes to impress upon the hearts and minds of His elect the infinitely wonderful provisions of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Every act of supernatural deliverance amongst His people displays the elementary principles of the Gospel.

It is important to study the plain statements of Gospel truth set forth, but Oh how helpful are the providentially supplied illustrations of what basic doctrine declares.

This text supplies us with just such a picture by which light is shed upon the truth of the Gospel.

I. THE PROCLAMATION THAT WAS TO BE MADE

The whole text is that proclamation. Notice:—

1. All were to be told. Is this not what the Lord said of His Gospel? “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15. It is by this means that God’s elect hear the good news of salvation even as the host of Israel heard the good news that they would soon enter the promised Land.

2. It was a command from the Old Testament ‘Jesus’. That is what the Hebrew name ‘Joshua’ means. He was required to make this proclamation. Note the ‘chain of communication’. ‘Jehovah’ verse 1, ‘Joshua’ verse 11, ‘the officers’, verse 10. The is ever seen in the Bible, Revelation 1:1.

3. Joshua was assisted by the ‘officers’ of the nation. The word ‘officers’ means ‘rulers, overseers’. The very same meaning as the New Testament term ‘Elder’, Acts 20:17, 28.

4. It was an urgent proclamation. “For within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan.” There was no time for delay. God’s appointed hour was only three days away. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short,” 1 Cors 7:29. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27. Oh take heed!

II. THE PREPARATION THAT WAS TO BE UNDERTAKEN

1. The were to make ready. That is essentially the core of the Gospel! This was the most important stage of the journey. The readiness was a most resolute action, determination needed — ‘established’, Gen 41:32. Making preparation for eternity requires stedfast determination and attention to what the Lord has to say to us. For all too many it is carelessly ignored and put off until it is too late!

2. Food was required. “Prepare you victuals.” The gospel entails a call to take possession of the bread of life and an eating of it. John 6:33. It alone can supply us with the sustenance and strength to enter Heaven.

3. Preparation was to be made for the children. Oh parent, remember your child and made preparation to instruct them as to what lies ahead.

III. THE PASSAGE THAT WAS TO BE MANAGED

1. Entailed the crossing of the Jordan. Josh 3:15, Jordan was at its fulness, it was in flood. We have often encountered death - in others. But one day we will experience it at its fulness when we are to pass over. But the Lord will open the way for us. 3:15-17.

2. The way was opened by the priests with the Ark of the covenant. It represents for us the atoning death of Christ for the blood of the symbolic sacrifice was on the mercy seat of the Ark. It also contained the Word of God, the covenant He had made with His people. This what will ensure that the ‘river of death’ is opened for us.

3. On the edge of the Jordan they caught sight of the promised land. How often that has cheered the deathbed of the saints!

4. From the Jordan they stepped into the promised land! Indeed, even as they stepped into the Jordan and in the midst of the river, they were walking on the promised land

IV. THE POSSESSION THEY GAINED

1. There is a going in to Canaan. That which the Lord had spoken of many times to all the generations of the descendants of Abraham, was now before them.

2. We will take hold of that promised by God. It was theirs by Divine decree. They held the title deed to that land!

3. That which we will possess for all eternity has been given us of God. It is His gift. “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast,” 1:2-4.

So it is with the Christian. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you,” John 14:2. Daniel declared: “ . . the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will,” Daniel 4:32. At the coming of Christ this will take place: “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever,” Daniel 7:18. (Also Dan 2:44). Sovereign grace at work. It was not merited!