Comments on Joshua 3

     In order to show Israel that Joshua is in fact endorsed by
the Lord as was Moses, a miracle similar to one performed by
Moses is repeated.  The parallels are blatant, and explicit in
4:23.  In the exodus from Egypt under Moses water is parted, and
here in the entrance to Canaan under Joshua water is parted.  
     The miracle is a very public one with all of Israel and the
surrounding nations being witness to it.  Thus, all nations
witness the power of the Lord firsthand (cp. 4:24).  Such a
miracle in the eyes of Israel is also certainly reactionary to
Israel's lackluster support for Joshua (cp. v. 7 with 1:17-18).
     That the arc is used in this case is indicative of the
Lord's no longer being present among Israel, cf. Ex. 33:3.  The
arc is a proxy for the Lord's presence, which during the previous
splitting of the Sea of Reeds was apparent, cp. Ex. 14:19-20. 
So, while there are some commonalities among the two divisions of
the water, there are also so sharp contrasts as a result of
Israel's rebellions against the Sinaitic Covenant.
	In addition to the parallels mentioned above, there are 
several more throughout the subsequent chapters as follows:

  Moses (40 years earlier)        Joshua (40 years later)
  ------------------------        -----------------------

  Pillar of light/cloud leads     Ark of the Covenant leads
  (Ex. 13:21-22)                  (Josh. 3:1-8, cp. Ex. 33:3)

  Parts water leaving Egypt       Parts water entering Canaan
  (Ex. 14:21-22)                  (Josh. 3:14-17)

  Teach your children             Teach your children
  (Ex. 12:26-27)                  (Josh. 4:6-7)

  Memorial built                  Memorial built
  (Ex. 24:4)                      (Josh. 4:8-9)

  Abrahamic Covenant invoked      Abrahamic Covenant invoked
  (Gen. 15:13-14)                 (Josh. 5:2-9)

  Passover precedes Exodus        Passover follows entry
  (Ex. 34:1-20)                   (Josh. 5:10)

  Manna starts                    Manna stops
  (Ex. 16:14-15)                  (Josh. 5:11-12)

  Golden Calf/false malach        Captain of Hosts/true malach
  (Ex. 32, cp. Ex. 23:20-23)      (Josh. 5:13-15)

  Walls fall on enemies           Walls fall on enemies
  (Ex. 14:27-29)                  (Josh. 6:5)

  Raised hands in war             Raised hands in war
  (Ex. 17:11)                     (Josh. 8:26)

While some are parallels, some are opposites.  Take for example
the manna stopping/starting and the presence of God in the pillar
versus only the vicarious presence of God in the arc.  The 
parallels indicate the faithfulness of God while the contrasts
indicate the rebellions of Israel.  The whole comparison serves
to emphasize the replacement theme, 40 years later the children
of the rebellious are replacing (cp. 5:7) the rebellious and 
doing what their parents should have done 40 years previous.  
And the contrasts between the two lists are a result of the 
parent's rebellions.



Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller <kurtn@cybcon.com>.  All rights 
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