In Haste, not Hesitancy
Joshua 4:10
The people passed over in haste.
Generally speaking, we don’t do things hastily without some extenuating reason, do we? My son doesn’t race through his math homework just because multiplication is second nature to him, but because his Lego set is sitting unfinished in the corner of the living room. I didn’t drive 20 mph over the speed limit on I-40 for nothing, but because I’d just exhausted my energies performing a concert in Virginia, and it was already 1 a.m., and I was falling asleep at the wheel (the cop gave me a ticket anyway). Beach-bathers on a pacific coastline don’t run around the sandy beach screaming at the top of their lungs for fun, but because someone calls out ‘Tidal wave!’ Think of that as you reflect on Joshua 4:10. Let’s not be too hasty ourselves in passing over a phrase that might hold great significance to the narrative.
Why are the people passing over in haste? Why the rush, that is? Are they afraid that the walls of water might come crashing down at any moment? Is fear driving their rush forward? Or are they perhaps moving at godspeed in conscientious sympathy for their priestly brothers who have to stand their ground until all others pass through? But remember: these Israelites aren’t running from anything at this point, right? Unlike the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus, Pharaoh’s armies aren’t pressing on their rear flank. Nor are the sons of Amalek and Og coming after them. In fact, the fields are as clear behind them as they are ahead of them. Maybe—and this is my view—they’re just eager for the battle ahead. Perhaps, in the euphoria of this divine marvel before them, coupled with the ecstasy of having a new leader in the image of Moses, these pilgrims are rushing forward in a shared state of readiness. They aren’t lingering behind anymore in the shadows of Egypt as their fathers had done. No, they’re ready to receive the prize of their long travail.
Here's a simple challenge today, friend: let’s do our God-given work at godspeed. Let’s mark our toil not by the haste of carelessness or boredom or ambivalence but by the haste of eagerness and efficiency as we pursue God wherever He leads.