Our lives are to be lives of conquest. You might still be in Egypt – you are not saved. Some of you might be in the wilderness – you are saved but unsure what God wants you to do. God wants you to possess the land.

1 – It is a call to preparation (vs. 11)

The Jordan overflowed every year. You might have thought that Joshua would have asked them to build a bridge or perhaps a boat. They were to have something to eat. An army travels on its stomach. They had been on a desert diet for 40 years. It was time for a change in diet. See Numbers 11:8 & Exodus 16:31. The manna had the taste of oil and honey. This was to wet their appetite for the true oil and honey of Canaan. The original plan was not to spend 40 years in the wilderness. It took them that long to grow up. They were sick and tired of manna but they wouldn’t go into the land of Canaan. See Numbers 11:4-6. The manna sustained them but it did not satisfy them.

Christians can be stuck on manna for years and become bored in their Christian life. It is time to get off the manna and enter the land Of Canaan. Some would rather go back to Egypt. The land of Canaan is a battle but it is not slavery. If you want to enter the land of Canaan you need to feast on the Word of God. It is time to get in the kitchen.

2 – It is a call to anticipation (vs. 11)

In three days they were to pass over in Canaan. Remember Jonah and Jesus? “Three days” speaks of resurrection life. Coming out of Egypt is a picture of redemption. Going into Canaan is a picture of sanctification. See Romans 5:10. You are reconciled by the death of Jesus and saved by the life of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, it was to bring you to God. To live victoriously we are saved by his life. The Canaan life is the resurrection life. All of the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is available in our lives. He is alive and dwells in me.

3 – It is a call to separation (vs. 12)

See also Numbers 32. They wanted to settle on the wrong side of the river Jordan. They preferred to live on the wrong side of Jordan. We all choose the level of our spiritual commitment, God will not force us. You will have failed to take possession of your possessions. They fought with the people but then went back to their life in the wilderness.

The first tribe to fall when the Assyrians came were these tribes outside of Canaan. There is a storm coming that we read about in Revelation. We need to be ready to fight the good fight until God takes us home. We need preparation, anticipation and separation.

Categories: Joshua