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.
And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
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.
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.
And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
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.
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.
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.
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord your God.
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.
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
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.
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;
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,)
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.
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.
Joshua 3 recounts a pivotal moment in Israel's history: their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This chapter is not just a historical account; it's a powerful illustration of faith, obedience, and God's unwavering presence with His people. It reveals how God prepares His people for great things and how He demonstrates His power to establish their faith.
Preparation for Divine Manifestation (Joshua 3:1-6)
Before any physical crossing could occur, a spiritual preparation was necessary. Joshua 3:1-4 sets the stage for the crossing. It was time to move forward, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD would lead the way. Just as God led the Israelites out of Egypt with a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22), He now manifested His presence through the ark, a visible symbol of His covenant and kingship. The ark, containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments and covered by the mercy seat, represented God's throne and His promise to meet with His people (Exodus 25:22). The Lord being “enthroned between the cherubim” (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Kings 19:15) served as a visual reminder that Israel's King would personally lead them into the promised land.
Joshua understood the importance of spiritual readiness. In Joshua 3:5-6, he calls the people to consecrate themselves, to make spiritual preparation for divine manifestation. He knew that encountering God required a clean heart and a dedicated spirit. Just as we would prepare ourselves to meet an important human leader, how much more should we prepare ourselves spiritually to encounter the divine presence of God? Joshua told Israel to clean up and prepare because God was about to blow their minds.
God's Instructions and the Test of Faith (Joshua 3:7-13)
God's instructions were clear and specific. He spoke to Joshua and provided instructions for the priests and the people. The priests were to carry the ark out in front of the tribes (Joshua 3:8, 11). The Lord would stop the water of the Jordan River from flowing so that the soldiers and people could cross—but only after the priests stepped into the river (Joshua 3:12-13).
Why did God require the priests to step into the overflowing river before He stopped the waters? This was a crucial test of faith. God wanted to see their obedience and trust in action before He performed the miracle. This act demonstrated their complete reliance on Him.
God's purpose in this miraculous act was to reveal Himself to Israel. As Joshua 3:10 states, "You will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly dispossess before you the inhabitants of the land." Dividing the waters of the Jordan would be God’s way of demonstrating to Israel that he was alive and with them, so that they would be prepared for the challenges ahead. God sometimes does wondrous things in our lives too, so that when we meet a challenge in the future we will remember his power.
The Miracle Unfolds (Joshua 3:14-17)
The scene described in Joshua 3:14-17 is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As the people broke camp, they faced a formidable obstacle: the Jordan River, overflowing its banks (Joshua 3:15). There was no natural way to cross. The waters were as broad and deep as they could be: there was no hope of wading or even swimming across. But as soon as the priests' feet touched the water, the miracle occurred. The water flowing downstream was completely cut off (Joshua 3:15-16).
Even more remarkably, the Lord also quick dried the earth where the river had been. No feet stuck in the mud; no cart wheels bogged down. Israel crossed on dry ground (Joshua 3:17). This was no freak act of nature. It was an act of God.
This miraculous crossing mirrored the parting of the Red Sea, further solidifying God's power and faithfulness in the hearts of the Israelites. It served as a powerful reminder that He is able to overcome any obstacle in their path, and that He would be with them as they entered the Promised Land.
Lessons for Today
Joshua 3 offers timeless lessons for believers today:
- Spiritual Preparation is Essential: Before embarking on any significant endeavor, we must first consecrate ourselves and seek God's guidance.
- Faith Requires Action: God often calls us to step out in faith, even when the path ahead seems impossible. Obedience demonstrates our trust in Him.
- God's Presence is Our Assurance: Just as God was with the Israelites, He promises to be with us, empowering us to overcome challenges and fulfill His purpose.
- Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflecting on God's past faithfulness strengthens our faith and gives us confidence to face future challenges.
The crossing of the Jordan is a testament to God's power and His unwavering commitment to His people. As we face our own "Jordans" in life, may we be inspired by the Israelites' example to trust in God, step out in faith, and experience His miraculous provision.
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.
And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
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.
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.
And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.
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.
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.
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.
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord your God.
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.
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
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.
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;
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,)
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.
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.
Joshua 3 recounts a pivotal moment in Israel's history: their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This chapter is not just a historical account; it's a powerful illustration of faith, obedience, and God's unwavering presence with His people. It reveals how God prepares His people for great things and how He demonstrates His power to establish their faith.
Preparation for Divine Manifestation (Joshua 3:1-6)
Before any physical crossing could occur, a spiritual preparation was necessary. Joshua 3:1-4 sets the stage for the crossing. It was time to move forward, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD would lead the way. Just as God led the Israelites out of Egypt with a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22), He now manifested His presence through the ark, a visible symbol of His covenant and kingship. The ark, containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments and covered by the mercy seat, represented God's throne and His promise to meet with His people (Exodus 25:22). The Lord being “enthroned between the cherubim” (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Kings 19:15) served as a visual reminder that Israel's King would personally lead them into the promised land.
Joshua understood the importance of spiritual readiness. In Joshua 3:5-6, he calls the people to consecrate themselves, to make spiritual preparation for divine manifestation. He knew that encountering God required a clean heart and a dedicated spirit. Just as we would prepare ourselves to meet an important human leader, how much more should we prepare ourselves spiritually to encounter the divine presence of God? Joshua told Israel to clean up and prepare because God was about to blow their minds.
God's Instructions and the Test of Faith (Joshua 3:7-13)
God's instructions were clear and specific. He spoke to Joshua and provided instructions for the priests and the people. The priests were to carry the ark out in front of the tribes (Joshua 3:8, 11). The Lord would stop the water of the Jordan River from flowing so that the soldiers and people could cross—but only after the priests stepped into the river (Joshua 3:12-13).
Why did God require the priests to step into the overflowing river before He stopped the waters? This was a crucial test of faith. God wanted to see their obedience and trust in action before He performed the miracle. This act demonstrated their complete reliance on Him.
God's purpose in this miraculous act was to reveal Himself to Israel. As Joshua 3:10 states, "You will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly dispossess before you the inhabitants of the land." Dividing the waters of the Jordan would be God’s way of demonstrating to Israel that he was alive and with them, so that they would be prepared for the challenges ahead. God sometimes does wondrous things in our lives too, so that when we meet a challenge in the future we will remember his power.
The Miracle Unfolds (Joshua 3:14-17)
The scene described in Joshua 3:14-17 is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As the people broke camp, they faced a formidable obstacle: the Jordan River, overflowing its banks (Joshua 3:15). There was no natural way to cross. The waters were as broad and deep as they could be: there was no hope of wading or even swimming across. But as soon as the priests' feet touched the water, the miracle occurred. The water flowing downstream was completely cut off (Joshua 3:15-16).
Even more remarkably, the Lord also quick dried the earth where the river had been. No feet stuck in the mud; no cart wheels bogged down. Israel crossed on dry ground (Joshua 3:17). This was no freak act of nature. It was an act of God.
This miraculous crossing mirrored the parting of the Red Sea, further solidifying God's power and faithfulness in the hearts of the Israelites. It served as a powerful reminder that He is able to overcome any obstacle in their path, and that He would be with them as they entered the Promised Land.
Lessons for Today
Joshua 3 offers timeless lessons for believers today:
- Spiritual Preparation is Essential: Before embarking on any significant endeavor, we must first consecrate ourselves and seek God's guidance.
- Faith Requires Action: God often calls us to step out in faith, even when the path ahead seems impossible. Obedience demonstrates our trust in Him.
- God's Presence is Our Assurance: Just as God was with the Israelites, He promises to be with us, empowering us to overcome challenges and fulfill His purpose.
- Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflecting on God's past faithfulness strengthens our faith and gives us confidence to face future challenges.
The crossing of the Jordan is a testament to God's power and His unwavering commitment to His people. As we face our own "Jordans" in life, may we be inspired by the Israelites' example to trust in God, step out in faith, and experience His miraculous provision.