Crossing the Jordan River into Canaan
Crossing the Jordan River into Canaan
Crossing the Jordan River into Canaan
Jordan River
The Jordan River and the river valley are important locations in both the Old and New Testaments. It's especially important to the Jewish and Christian people.Geography of the River
The river is a river in the Middle East that starts north, in the mountains of Lebanon. It flows into the Dead Sea. Bible writers talk about it many times. They report it in the story of Joshua, who led the Israelites across the Jordan into Canaan. John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan. The Jordan River valley is a lush green area that is surrounded by desert. It's famous for its fertile land and beautiful scenery. Bible writers called it the land of milk and honey. This is because God told Moses that he would lead the Israelites to a land "where milk and honey flow like rivers" (Exodus 3:8, Casual English Bible).Jordan River scenes in the Bible
The Jordan River valley is home to other important biblical sites, including Jericho. That's the city famous for its walls that came tumbling down in Joshua's time. The northern river valley is also home to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. And in that same valley, on the Sea of Galilee, is where the Bible writers report that Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm. The Casual English Bible describes the river as "the most famous river in the Bible." It says that when Joshua led the Israelites across the river and into the Promised Land "walking in the water of the Jordan River symbolized the people stepping out in faith and trusting God to keep his promise." The Bible says God stopped the Jordan River during flood sea, which allowed the Israelites to cross. Israelites are the ancient ancestors of today's Jewish people.For more about the River, consider these bestselling Bible-background books: Complete Guide to the Bible, Who's Who & Where's Where in the Bible.
Tent worship center
Tent worship center
Tent worship center
aka The Tabernacle
The Casual English Bible says the Tent Worship Center, also known as the Tabernacle, was a portable temple that the Israelites carried with them during their wanderings in the wilderness.
The Tabernacle was the center focus of their worship, and it played a crucial role in their religious and cultural identity. This is where they went to pray and to offer sacrifices to God.
Temple in a tent
The Bible describes the Tabernacle as a large tent, set up with its entrance facing the east.
Israelites divided the tent into sections. There was the Holy Place, where only the priests could go. They performed various rituals there, such as burning incense and lighting candles. There was also the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. This was the most sacred room, reserved for the High Priest.
Parked inside: Ten Commandments
Israelites kept the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments, in the Holy of Holies. The Bible describes the Ark as a symbol of God's covenant with Israel, and it was treated with great reverence and respect.
The Tabernacle was the site of all the main religious ceremonies, including sacrifices, offerings, and festivals. The Bible explains that the rituals were one way of helping maintain a connection with God and honoring His commands.
Temple à la cart
The Casual English Bible explains that Israelites built the Tabernacle to be portable. This allowed the Israelites to carry it with on carts as they journeyed through the deserts and badlands south of what is now Israel.
They made the worship center with of durable materials, including hard acacia wood and animal hides.
Replacing the tent with a temple
As the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, the Tabernacle was eventually replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem. However, the Tabernacle remains an important symbol of God's presence and the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.
Map Egyptians catching quail
Migrating quail
The Sacred Room
Plains of Moab
Sacrifices
Road to the Promised Land
12 Tribes of Israel
12 Tribes of Israel
Map of the 12 Tribes of Israel
The 12 tribes of Israel came from the families of Jacob's 12 sons (Genesis 49:28). Jacob later in life became known as Israel. Each tribe took the name of their ancestor, one of Jacob's sons. And they each claimed a specific chunk of land to call their own.
The tribes were spread out across the land of Canaan, which is modern-day Israel and Palestine. On the east side of the Jordan River, you had the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. These guys got some wonderful pastoral land, which was great for grazing their animals, such as like the sheep and goats and camels.
West of the Jordan River
As for the other nine tribes, they were situated on the west side of the Jordan. From the north to the south, you had the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, Issachar, Manasseh (the other half, to be exact), Ephraim, Benjamin, Dan, and Simeon. These tribes were given land that stretched from the Mediterranean Sea all the way to the Jordan River.
Oh, and let's not forget about the tribe of Levi. They were the ones who were in charge of the Temple and didn't really get a specific piece of land to call their own. Instead, they were spread throughout the communities of the other 12 tribes.
The geography of the 12 tribes of Israel was quite diverse and spread out across a large swath of land of hills and fields and coastland and river land and desert. But, somehow, they managed to come together as a people and make a name for themselves as a powerful nation.
Then they split in two. But that comes later.
To compare The Casual English Bible with other versions, see the Bible Gateway.