"That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever."
Context:The book of Joshua is primarily focused on the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, following the death of Moses. In Joshua 4, the Israelites had just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground as God miraculously parted the waters for them. This verse concludes the chapter and emphasizes the purpose behind the miraculous event.
Recognizing the mighty hand of God:The verse highlights the significance of the miracle of crossing the Jordan River. It states that the purpose behind this miraculous intervention was to make "all the people of the earth" aware of the mighty hand of the Lord. The crossing of the Jordan River served as a visible testimony of God’s power and sovereignty. It demonstrated to the surrounding nations that the God of Israel is the one true God who is able to perform extraordinary feats.
Fearing the Lord:Another purpose of the miraculous crossing of the Jordan was to instill fear and reverence for the Lord among the Israelites. The verse emphasizes that the people were to fear the Lord their God forever. The fear of the Lord does not imply being afraid of Him, but rather a deep reverence, awe, and respect for His power, authority, and holiness. It involves recognizing God’s majesty, obeying His commands, and living in a manner that pleases Him.
Application:As we reflect on Joshua 4:24, there are a few key lessons we can draw from this verse:
- Recognizing God’s mighty hand:We are reminded that God is powerful and can work miracles in our lives. Just as He miraculously parted the waters of the Jordan River, He is capable of doing the impossible in our circumstances. This should encourage us to trust in His power and seek His intervention in our lives.
- Proclaiming God’s greatness:The miracles and blessings we experience are not solely for our benefit but also serve as a testimony to others. Our lives should reflect God’s power and goodness so that others may come to know Him through our testimony.
- Cultivating a reverent fear of the Lord:The verse calls us to maintain a posture of reverence and awe before God. We should live in a way that honors Him, obeys His commands, and seeks to please Him. Our fear of the Lord should drive us to a deeper relationship with Him and guide our actions.
- Sharing the knowledge of God’s mighty hand:Like the Israelites, we are called to share the knowledge of God’s mighty hand with others. We can testify to His faithfulness and the ways He has worked in our lives, pointing others to the power and goodness of God.
By studying and reflecting on Joshua 4:24, we can gain a deeper understanding of God’s power, the importance of reverent fear, and our responsibility to bear witness to His mighty works.
