…the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. (Joshua 3:16 ESV)
Repeat
Repetition can be a sign of love. Husbands do not stop saying, “I love you,” just because they already said it once. Parents do not stop saying, “I am here for you,” just because they already said it once. Babies do not stop casting sweet gazes at momma just because they already did it once.
And God repeats such things, too. Every rainbow is a promise. Every sunset is a declaration. Every Lord’s Supper is a rekindling. Every worship service is a refilling.
And when the Israelites finally actually entered the Promise Land, God repeated the circumstances of the crossing of the Red Sea. Since that dramatic moment fleeing Egypt, the Israelites had wandered. They had been blessed. They had forgotten and had remembered. They had been excited, and had doubted God’s power and promises.
And just before they entered Canaan forty years earlier. Their doubt was so severe that God sent them to wander 40 more years on the outskirts of the land they had sought.
And now, as they enter, history repeated itself. Or more accurately, God repeated Himself!
Again, they crossed waters. Again, God separated waters. Again, the Israelites crossed on dry ground. Again, God used a miracle to repeat His shouted message:
“I am your God, and you are My people!”
That message repeats often, actually. And it centers on the cross and the empty tomb.
And He repeats it because it is important. He repeats it because it is true.
Through Christ Jesus, He repeats it to His people today. Although without the water…