Are you ready for a Miracle?

 Read Joshua 3. 

The dictionary defines a miracle as an event or effect that contradicts known scientific laws; a supernatural event demonstrating divine intervention.  This chapter tells of one such intervention by God in order to fulfill His promises to Israel. 

This nation of several millions of people was encamped on the east side of the Jordan River, just north of the Dead Sea.  The river is about 65 miles long and ranges from 1/2 mile to 2 miles wide.  Verse 15 states that the river was at flood stage, making the crossing humanly improbable, if not impossible. 

Before God acted there were three elements of preparation at work:

1. They were Organized.

Without some structure of procession, moving millions of people anywhere would have been chaotic, disastrous and dangerous.  In the book of Exodus, God organized how the nation would position themselves to move and to camp.  The Tabernacle was in the center with three tribes each on the north, south, east and west.  Tribes and families stayed together.  In this instance the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant over half a mile ahead of the people to show direction.

2. They Communicated.

The communication system included verbal orders from the leader to the leaders of the tribes to the leaders of the families, etc.

3. They Consecrated themselves.

This was not just a time of packing their belongings.  They were by faith to prepare themselves spiritually to experience a miracle from the LORD.  He is holy.  He expects His people to be holy. 

Question:  How can we know from the scriptures that there is no other explanation for this occurrence other than a miracle from God?

1. The Timing of the Miracle (3:13-15).

The prediction was that the waters would not part until the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped on to the top of the water.  Think of their faith in God marching toward a flooded river.  Often God is waiting to see if we will obey before He will intervene.

2. The Flooded River (3:15).

This was no shallow creek through which they could wade.  They had children, animals and goods to transport.

3. The Tributaries (3:16).

The waters coming from the north stopped and "rose up in a heap".  The result was that the river bed south going to the Dead Sea had no water during the crossing.

4. The Dry Ground (3:17).

When the priests stepped into the river, the waters not only were cut off, but the ground was immediately dry.  The people did not slosh through a muddy river bed.  This is the same experience of the previous generation in crossing the Red Sea in Exodus.

5. The Timing of the River's Return (4:18).

The priests stood in the middle of the river bed until the last person crossed.  The water flow resumed to normalcy at the exact time the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant crossed to the other side. 

Performing a miracle is the work of God.  Preparing obediently to experience a miracle is our responsibility.