Thursday: Beyond the Jordan
Daily Lesson for Thursday 16th of October 2025
“He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him” (Psalms 66:6, NKJV).
Both the crossing of the Red Sea and of the Jordan are markers of a new era in biblical history, and both carry symbolic significance (see Psalms 66:6, Psalms 114:1-7, and 2 Kings 2:6-15). Already in the Old Testament, there are texts that link the two crossing events and recognize a meaning, which points beyond the original settings. In Psalms 66:1-20, the psalmist celebrated God’s redemptive act in his life (Psalms 66:16-19) by referring to the historical examples of the crossing of the Red Sea and of the Jordan.
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
Psalms 114:1-8 also ties the two events together, not because the author did not see a chronological difference between them but because of the theological significance that the two crossings share. Thus, both events are seen as contributing to a change in Israel’s status, once from slavery to freedom, then from nomadic landlessness to nationhood. In these psalms, the examples of the two crossings illustrate the change in status of the author from oppression, poverty, helplessness, and humiliation to safety, well-being, salvation, and dignity.
It is also by the Jordan that Elijah’s translation takes place in the context of a similar miracle to the one recorded in Joshua. For Elijah, the crossing brought the most significant status change in his life: he was taken to heaven. For Elisha, the change is also important: the prophet’s assistant (1 Kings 19:21) becomes the prophet of the nation (2 Kings 2:22).
Read Matthew 3:16-17 and Mark 1:9. How do these writers of the New Testament imply a symbolic, spiritual meaning of the Jordan River?
The earthly ministry of Jesus, as the Representative of Israel, follows the pattern of the history of ancient Israel. Jesus undergoes the “Red Sea” and “Jordan” experiences. He is called out of Egypt after a death decree (Matthew 2:14-16); spends 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2), similar to ancient Israel’s 40 years; and, as a transition from His private life to His public ministry, He is baptized in the Jordan (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9).
Later, Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-16 recognizes the symbolic significance of the crossing of the Jordan and presents the entrance into Canaan as foreshadowing the “rest of grace” that Christians enter through faith.
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One lesson that we can learn from the Exodus/Joshua stories is that it was not all miracles. After the euphoria of crossing the Red Sea came the reality of food and water supply. And when that was fixed the got bored with the food and wanted onions and garlic. They got quail and made gluttons of themselves and became sick. Some died. Then there was the Sinai experience followed by the reversion to idol worship. We have left a lot of the downside stories out in our jump from Exodus to Joshua. The crossing or the Jordan was followed by the hard reality of conquering the land.
It could be said the Israelites experience was a roller-coaster ride in some respects. I recently went to New Zealand where I did a fair bit of travelling in the South Island. It is very mountainous. We would cross one range of mountains, only to find that we were confronted with another range of mountains again and again. In fact, whe we flew into Christchurch from Australia I was surprised at how many mountain ranges New Zealand had fitted into such a small space. You could easily get lost in the valleys between the mountains.
Life in general has its mountains and valleys. I know of very few people who have spent their whole life on a mountain top. Those who have claimed to have done so are often lying through the top of their head or are living in a make-believe world. For every mountain there is a valley, and sometimes in the valleys it is hard to see the light of God. God may give us mountain top experiences but we need to remember that he is with us in the dark valleys too. He knows about dark places.
Today we live with few miracles, and for some Christians it is a dark valley, We desperately want the evidence of a supernatural God to bolster our own faith and to confront our critics and detractors. In a dark place God has asked us to perform this miracle:
How do we take part in that miracle.
“The LORD said to Abram… ‘Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”( Genesis 13:14–15).
It is estimated that it took about 600 years before the Israelites crossed the Jordan river to occupy the land that God promised Abram. The crossing of the Jordan river was not only a great miracle in the making, but it was also an actualisation of a great promise. The crossing of the Jordan river affirmed that God leads history toward his purposes: what was promised in the past is realized in this decisive act. This wonderous act was a testament that God is not contained by time. He created time. No matter how long it takes, every word that proceeds from the mouth of God will come to pass at His appointed time.
The crossing of the Jordan testifies that God’s Word is sure even across the generations. Likewise, this gives us hope and assurance that one day we too shall cross over into the heavenly Canaan. Also, this reminds us that “crossing our Jordan” requires faith and obedience. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”(Hebrews 10:23).
The wildebeest migration from the Serengeti through the Mara River into the Maasai Mara is a spectacle to behold, a natural phenomenon often considered the Tourists gather from around the globe to witness this event, waiting for days until a zebra scans the safety of the crossing and leads the way. Pandemonium and stampede ensue as over 50,000 animals rush to cross, with many succumbing to death by crocodiles, drowning, or being swept away by the river's currents. Yet, many will reach the other side, finding greener pastures. However, the wildebeest never learn from their experience, and the cycle repeats itself annually, with approximately 3,000 dying in the process.
In contrast, the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea into freedom and later the Jordan River into the Promised Land, experiencing physical growth and transformation. But did they truly mature spiritually? Were they able to leave their slave mentality behind and embrace their new status as heirs to God's promise? One notable difference between the two crossings is the absence of fear in the Jordan, whereas the Red Sea crossing was marked by the Israelites' fear of the pursuing Egyptians (Exodus 14:10-12). However, it's clear that the past was still etched in their hearts, and they didn't entirely let go of those thoughts, leading to rebellion and disobedience (Judges 2:10-13). Like the wildebeest, Israel would return to their rebellious mentality against the Lord.
The question remains: are we learning from our spiritual crossings? Are we maturing into the next level, or are we stuck in a loop, unable to let go of our past lives? These crossings represent transformations made possible by God's grace, but we must choose to elevate and move forward (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Life beyond the Jordan signifies many things both literally and spiritually. The beauty of it all is the knowledge that the people of Israel weren't going alone. God, Himself through his servants, the prophets, Moses, and Joshua, parted the waters and allowed them to cross over on dry ground. This was purely a Divine act of grace on God’s part. He didn't leave it to the leaders to try to figure out how to traverse these seemingly insurmontable obstacles. God Himself made a way where there seemed to be no way.
The same God does the same thing in the lives of His children today. He is still the, "Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, Light in the darkness, my God, That is who You are." Even when we can't see it He's working. Even when we don't feel it, He's working. He never stops working to get His children out of our wilderness wandering across and beyond the many obstacles the devil puts in our path on our journey to the heavenly "Promised Land." There is a joy in the journey when we remember that Christ, the Rock, is going before us, behind us, and beside us, in getting us there. He does the heavy lifting anð on̈ly desires that we yoke up with him. We still have a work to do, we have to believe that he is able to accomplish what the word of God declares in our lives. Praise His Holy Name!
Thank you Tim,
The crossing of the Jordan was more than a physical transition it was a spiritual threshold. Beyond that river lay the fulfillment of God’s promise, just as beyond this life lies our eternal home. The Jordan reminds us that faith must lead us through the waters of trial, obedience must guide our steps when the way seems uncertain, and the presence of the true Ark Christ Himself must go before us.
Every obstacle that stands between us and heaven is but another Jordan to cross, not by might or human strength, but by the power of the living God. As Israel entered Canaan, so the redeemed will one day enter the heavenly Canaan not by works, but through trust in the One who parts the waters of sin and death.
So, let us walk forward in faith, knowing that the same God who made a way through the Jordan will make a way through our every difficulty until we stand safe on the shores of the eternal Promised Land
God always calls us to move forward in faith—to cross our own “Jordan” into a deeper walk with Him.
Just as Israel, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus each faced a crossing that marked a new beginning, we too are invited to leave behind fear, doubt, and the past, and step into the new life of grace, purpose, and victory that God has prepared.
Every “Jordan” we face is not a barrier but a bridge from what we were, to what God is calling us to become.
The crossing of the River Jordan was more than a historical event — it was a moment of divine transition. For Israel, the Jordan marked the end of wandering and the beginning of promise. Spiritually, it represents moving from our own wilderness experiences into the fullness of God’s will.
When the priests carrying the Ark stepped into the flooded river, the waters parted only after their feet touched the water’s edge (Joshua 3:15–16). God’s power was revealed through their obedience. In the same way, faith often calls us to step forward before we see the miracle.
The Jordan reminds us that every crossing in life — every trial, change, or act of faith — is an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness anew. It also points to a greater hope: just as Israel entered the Promised Land, one day we will cross life’s final Jordan and enter our eternal inheritance with Christ. Hallelujah!
So let us move forward in faith, trusting the God who still parts rivers for those who follow Him.
“Though the billows of sorrow and trouble may sweep,
Christ the Savior will care for His own.
’Til the end of the journey my soul He will keep,
And I won’t have to cross Jordan alone."
Not only did Israel’s children experience the ‘change in status from oppression, poverty, helplessness, and humiliation to safety, well-being, salvation, and dignity,’ they experienced the powers of the one and only true God Almighty unto Salvation.
To live in the land ‘Beyond the Jordan’ was made possible because of God wanting His chosen children of Israel to know Him as the powerful Creator of heaven and earth, and, beyond that, the God of their unique destiny.
‘Crossing the Jordan’ into the Promised Land is the beginning. To live securely in this ‘Land of milk and honey’ is what ‘crossing the Jordan’ promised. Living in this 'land' requires to commit to living life by rules, laws, and standards designed for the spiritual well-being of its inhabitants.
Our heavenly Father calls on everyone to come and live in His spiritual Kingdom here on earth - while we await our heavenly 'Promised Land'. But not everyone will ‘cross the Jordan’ to attend his banquet – Luke 14:1-14; Luke 14:15-23; Luke 14:25-34.
Have you crossed a river or perhaps a sea, on dry feet? As believers, we have to go through things that test our faith—if not, we do not grow at all.
The connections to Jesus were interesting, but given that the order does not match, I am hesitant to make a lot out of them. Certainly Jesus' baptism did inaugerate His ministry and there are parallels to the Jordan crossing. I don't really see a connection between the 40 years of wandering and Jesus 40 days of temptations because first, they happened after His baptism and second, the 40 days of wandering where the judgment for Israel's unbelief. They were not a testing time as they had already been tested and found wanting. Forty is certainly a significant number in the Bible, but to me the connection to Moses on Sinai is stronger in this case.