What role does faith play in witnessing miracles, as seen in Joshua 3:16? Miracle in Focus “...the waters flowing down from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far away at Adam, the city beside Zarethan, while the waters flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) were completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.” (Joshua 3:16) Key Observations from Joshua 3 • The river was at flood stage (v. 15); crossing was humanly impossible. • The priests carried the ark—symbol of God’s presence—into the water first (v. 8). • Only when their feet touched the edge did the waters part (vv. 15-16). • Every Israelite passed through on dry ground (v. 17). Faith Opens the Door to God’s Power • Obedient action preceded visible intervention; faith stepped in before sight appeared (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7). • Hebrews 11:29 links Israel’s earlier Red Sea crossing to “faith,” showing a consistent pattern: trust prompts miracle. • Faith here is communal; the entire nation followed the believing steps of the priests. Faith Expressed through Obedience • James 2:17—“faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” The priests’ wet feet were the “works” that confirmed genuine trust. • John 2:5—“Do whatever He tells you.” Obedience positions God’s people to witness the extraordinary. Faith Rooted in God’s Word • Joshua acted on a specific promise: “as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests... the waters of the Jordan will be cut off” (v. 13). • Romans 10:17—faith grows from hearing God’s word; Israel heard, believed, and moved. Corporate Faith Strengthens Individual Faith • Each tribe crossed because the leaders modeled trust; collective courage emboldens personal courage (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6). • Shared testimony of God’s acts (Joshua 4:6-7) builds future faith for new challenges. Miracles Confirm God’s Presence, Not Ours • The ark led the way (v. 11); focus stayed on the Lord, not on human effort. • Acts 14:3—miracles bear witness “to the word of His grace,” authenticating divine truth. Lessons for Today • Step where God speaks—faith takes the first move even while circumstances still roar. • Expect God to act consistently with His revealed character; He still “piles up” obstacles when His people trust Him (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). • Encourage one another; collective obedience invites corporate blessing (Hebrews 10:24-25). Faith did not manufacture the miracle; it positioned Israel to see what God already willed to do. The moment trusting feet met swirling water, the Lord turned a raging river into a highway, proving again that “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). |
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