Joshua 03
Israel Crosses the Jordan
3:1 Bright and early the next morning Joshua and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing the river.
The winter snows of Mount Hermon caused the Jordan River to be flooded at this time of the year. Jericho felt secure that Israel would not be able to cross the flooded river until summer.
3:2 After three days the leaders went through the camp
The officers camped for three days outside of the Jordan.
3:3 and commanded the people: “When you see the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you must leave here and walk behind it.
Jehovah was present in the Ark of the Covenant. He was going to lead Israel into battle.
3:4 But stay about three thousand feet behind it. Keep your distance so you can see which way you should go, for you have not traveled this way before.”
The Israelite army was to follow 3,000 feet behind the Ark, perhaps in reverence to Jehovah.
3:5 Joshua told the people, “Ritually consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform miraculous deeds among you.”
Joshua did not tell his army to sharpen their swords and polish their shields. Instead, he told them to cleanse themselves. They were about to entertain an important guest.
3:6 Joshua told the priests, “Pick up the Ark of the Covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they picked up the Ark of the Covenant and went ahead of the people.
The priests were commanded to pick up the Ark of the Covenant.
3:7 The Lord told Joshua, “This very day I will begin to honor you before all Israel so they will know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.
God was going to show the army a miracle so that they would know that God was with Joshua.
3:8 Instruct the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, ‘When you reach the bank of the Jordan River, wade into the water.’”
The priests were to lead the army across the flooded Jordan River.
3:9 Joshua told the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God!”
Joshua had a message from God for his army.
3:10 Joshua continued, “This is how you will know the living God is among you and that he will truly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.
Jehovah was the living God. All idols were false and non-living. God was going to drive out seven mighty and evil nations from Canaan.
3:11 Look! The Ark of the Covenant of the Ruler of the whole earth is ready to enter the Jordan ahead of you.
The Ark of the Covenant will lead the army into battle.
3:12 Now select for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one per tribe.
The army was to choose twelve men, one from each tribe.
3:13 When the feet of the priests carrying the Ark of the Lord, the Ruler of the whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan, the water coming downstream toward you will stop flowing and pile up.”
When the feet of the priests touch the Jordan River, then it would begin to divide.
3:14 So when the people left their tents to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them.
The people picked up their tents. The priests holding the Ark went ahead of them.
3:15 When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface of the water – (the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time) –
The Jordan was at flood stage.
3:16 the water coming downstream toward them stopped flowing. It piled up far upstream at Adam (the city near Zarethan); there was no water at all flowing to the sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea). The people crossed the river opposite Jericho.
The Jordan River divided and the army began to cross over.
3:17 The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side.
Two million people crossed the Jordan River. There was no turning back. Israel was excited. Jericho was frightened. Israel was about to enter into spiritual warfare.