Sometimes We Need a Clear, Convincing, Undeniable Visual Reminder

For times when it may feel like the Lord is against you, has forgotten you, or just doesn’t care.

Forty is a notable number in the Bible.

• In Noah’s day, it rained 40 days and 40 nights.
• Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Law.
• The Israelite spies scouted the land of Canaan for 40 days.
• Jesus, at the inauguration of his public ministry, fasted for 40 days in the wilderness.
• In our text, Joshua 4:1–7, the Israelites have just completed 40 YEARS of wandering in the wilderness.

In 1446 B.C., the Lord raised up Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Israel across the Red Sea.

By Joshua 4, it’s 1406 B.C.

Moses has died, and Joshua has been appointed to lead the next generation of Israelites into the Promised Land. To date, they’ve been a wandering people without a home. But they were on their way to being a settled people with a home.

And yet, to enter that land, they would have to cross the Jordan River.