“Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore”
Joshua 3:4 (KJV).
As the children of Israel were to pass over Jordan, a river that overflows its banks all the time of harvest (Joshua 3:15c),
Joshua 3:15 KJV
And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
God gave Joshua an instruction he delivered on to the people through the officers (Joshua 3:3). The children of Israel were commanded that they were to move once they see the Levites bearing the ark of the covenant on their shoulders. The instruction given to the children of Israel was strange and has deep revelations.
The Israelites were to move only when they see the priests bearing on their shoulders the ark of the covenant which is symbolic of God’s presence that dwells between the Cherubim (Exodus 25:17-21; Psalm 80:1).
Exodus 25:17-21 KJV
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
Psalms 80:1 KJV
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
But they were instructed to leave a space of approximately 2000 cubits (3000 ft) between them and the ark so as to know which way to go and not to miss the way because they had not gone that way before.
As we go into the year 2021, it is instructive to note what Moses the writer of the above scripture is saying to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, taking cognizance of the following important things:
Overfamiliarity: Just as Joshua instructed the children of Israel to give a space of approximately 3000 ft between them and the ark of the covenant (God’s presence), it is important for us not to get too familiar with the presence of God as we go into the New Year. God’s presence is a precious thing that should never be trivialized or taken casually as this will be your undoing. As we see in 1 Samuel 7:2, the men of Kiriath-Jearim were too familiar with the ark of the covenant and did not accord it the reverence due it while it abode with them for twenty years. Although the presence was mighty in the ark, God did them no good.
1 Samuel 7:2 KJV
And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath–jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord .
Consecration: God’s presence cannot be taken casually because He is of a purer eye than to behold evil and He cannot look upon iniquity (Habb 1:13).
Habakkuk 1:13 KJV
Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
When God’s presence comes into your life, family, Church, business etc., He begins to raise the bar and places high premium on consecration and holiness in heart and deed. We see in Joshua 3:5 as Joshua instructs the children of Israel to sanctify themselves for the Lord to do wonders in their midst.
Joshua 3:5 KJV
And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
We see the same principle in the time of Samuel the prophet, where he commanded the children of Israel as they were about to bring the ark of the covenant to its rightful place in Israel. He told the people to consecrate themselves by bringing out the strange gods that were amongst them and they brought out strange gods such as Ashtaroth (Queen of heaven and goddess of war and sensuality) and Baalim (Fertility god), and afterwards, God discomfited their enemies (1 Sam 7:3-10).
1 Samuel 7:3-10 KJV
And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtoreth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtoreth and served the Lord only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.
And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; the Lord heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines and discomfited them, and they were smitten before Israel.
Utter Dependence on the Way: Joshua instructs the children of Israel to keep their eyes on the ark as they have not gone that way before. As you go into this year, it is important for you to know that there is a way that can never miss the way. His name is Jesus! (John 14:6).
John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
As you make plans and take crucial decisions in year 2021, you should totally depend on the Alpha and Omega, beginning and ending and the Holy Spirit, while keeping your eyes on the ark as your navigator. You will have to learn to navigate through spiritual pathways that are open only to those who are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14), the pathways which only the Holy Spirit knows. You will have to trust and totally depend on His leading even when it does not seem logical to your human mind (Pro 3:5-6; Jeremiah 10:23; Phil 3:3).
Romans 8:14 KJV
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Jeremiah 10:23 KJV
O Lord , I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Philippians 3:3 KJV
For we are the circumcision, which worships God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
2021 is a year you must quit trusting in your flesh and learn to depend on the all-knowing Holy Spirit
I wish you all a lovely and glorious New Year ahead in Jesus name.
Happy New Year!!!
God bless you!!!
