This article on Joshua 3:4 is about the future, having peace and security, and the providence and rule of God.

Source: Clarion, 1985. 2 pages.

Joshua 3:4 – Untrodden Pathways

As the people of Israel stand on the threshold of a new stage in God's dealings with them, they receive some crucial instructions about the future. Since the territory is entirely unknown to them, they must keep their eye on the ark, and follow it. According to God's command, the ark will lead the way, break new ground for the people, and show them the path they must take. The ark will perform a mediating role, making what is unknown a sure and known pathway for God's people.

One cannot help but notice the crucial place that the ark takes in this history and in all the subsequent history of Israel's battles with the surrounding nations. Consistently the ark leads the way, dividing the waters and scattering the armies of the enemy, (compare 1 Samuel 6; 2 Samuel 6; 11:11, 15; Psalm 68, etc.). The ark was known as a power in battle, and it was long after Israel had entered the promised land that it, too, finally came to rest, 1 Chronicles 6:31. The ark was the sign of God's presence among His people, and His help in battle. In it lay the table of testimony, and upon it was the mercy seat: the testimony pointed out the abiding rule for fellowship with God, and the mercy seat reminded the people of Israel of the way of atonement, through which they were reconciled to God, and through which the LORD continued to be among them and lead them in grace and mercy. So it was in the wilderness, and so it remained for years in Israel's history.

Now as we – as the congregation of the New Testament – stand before a new year and an unknown future, we can find help and guidance for the future in these words. The church continually stands before the unknown, and with regard to her preaching and her life, what she must do, and what will happen to her, the same truth applies: "You have not passed this way before." To be sure, the light of prophesy is hers, and we do not live in a situation where no one knows the future, Psalm 74:9. Our great Prophet and Teacher, the Lord Jesus Himself, has shown us what the future will bring. The church is driven in the wilderness, and will be nourished for many days, Revelation 12:6. But the exact line of events is not revealed to us. Futurologists make their predictions, self-styled prophets set their dates; but for faithful believers, the central truth remains: you have not passed this way before.

Therefore the injunction given here also applies to the church today – that we might enjoy God's presence on the way, and His safe protection en route. But now the injunction acquires its New Testament dimensions. No longer must we keep an eye on earthly things: ark and testimony, mercy seat and altar. For now He who fulfils all this has come, and He rules on high as a heavenly King and High priest, who leads and shepherds His flock to the full inheritance which He prepares for them. Hence now our focus is on Him, and Joshua's call to Israel now transforms into Paul's injunction:

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.Colossians 3:2, 3

That remains our only assurance. Our heavenly King directs the way, and He will lead us through ways untrod before. His way is His own, and always proceeds in defiance of and in the negation of all humanly devised ways. He will put all the doom theories and the speculations of men to shame. He will come at an hour when no one expects Him, Luke 12:46. In the beginning of trouble and tribulation, many will say, "Lo here He is!" But our Lord has already told us, "Do not believe them," Matthew 24:23ff. But when His time comes, and He really does appear, many will be saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" 2 Peter 3:4. For the patience and longsuffering of the Father far surpasses the whims and predictions of men. When the foolishness of all human plans and predictions has been clearly proven, then His time will be there, and He will prove that His way is holy, far surpassing all human ways.

So as we look to a new year we can only admit: we have not passed this way before. But there is One who has gone before us, Jesus Christ, first fruits of the dead, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, I Peter 2:25. He leads the way. He takes His own with Him. Held by His time, and held in His care, we are safe, and may go forward with confidence and trust – until He comes again.

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