Joshua 3:1-17 KJV
1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

As Josua step up into leadership, God was setting his mark on him and magnifying his position so Israel would follow him the same way Moses had been magnified by God among the people of Israel. Jesus and John the Baptist did not carry this type of popularity in ministry though both had a following. If the Mississippi river made news of a parting of the water, I doubt anyone would follow anyone as much as they did Moses and Joshua.

We live in a time as new leadership comes a board in our nation and around the world many are skeptical and less likely to follow anyone because of their charisma. Leadership that matter is skills of both common business sense. Those that follow religious leaders are often looking for skills and proof of their faith being real or the God connection of answer prayers. But everything visible does not make a person necessarily a good leader. I remember hearing a story growing up, of a man that was a genuis and well read.. He had much book learning and understanding, but no practical sense in how to use it. He was smart enough to tell and explain how to do what he read or observed in life. These people are important though their talent is unique their mind is a walking encyclopedia and of facts. The talents of our world that shape society. Some only being a brick layer, carpenter, waitress, or medically incline have a purpose though may lack knowledge of other things but have a willingness to learn so they can take the title of jack of all trades.

Joshua had worked under Moses and even Aaron. He knew about faith in God and obedience by observing two type of leaders. One of faith and social mixed with religious law to lead the people through the desert. Now it was Joshua duty to lead the people into the promise land. God would build up Joshua faith as will as strengthen and magnify his power in authority as a leader by dividing the water of Jordan.

As the water of Jordan parted like the red sea, God magnified Joshua before the people as he obeyed the Lord. The people were witnessing something they had heard in stories but had not seen.

God anoint Jesus before John Baptist and others that was present at his baptism. To have the call of leadership God going to bear witness of who he calls. Prophet Jeremiah and the Prophet Isaiah witness before the throne room of Israel as well as the Prophet Nathan a much lesser of the prophets.

The theme this month is new beginings and Joshua journey into the Promise land was a marker of a new begining in Israel. Everytime a new leader arose in Israel and followed God battles were won and/ miracles did happen. What ever happen cause Israel to trust the new godly leadership.

Dear Heavenly Father, we trust your magnification of good leaders. Help us to trust you for good leadership, with Jesus being the best leader that you sent the world though many rejected him. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Philippians 2:9-11 KJV
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 1:20 KJV
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.