Joshua 3 tells the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, a significant event as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Each section of this chapter reveals critical moments in Israel’s journey, shedding light on their faith, leadership, and God’s divine timing.
Verses 1-4: The Command to Move Forward
Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days, the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about two thousand cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
This passage begins with the Israelites leaving Shittim, their last encampment before entering the Promised Land. Shittim, located on the eastern side of the Jordan River, had served as a place of rest and preparation. The people, after three days of waiting, are now commanded to move forward as they see the Ark of the Covenant being carried by the Levitical priests. This moment is not just logistical; it is symbolic. The Ark represents God’s presence, and the command to keep a distance of two thousand cubits (about 3,000 feet) signifies reverence for God’s holiness. The people are about to venture into the unknown—”you have not passed this way before”—so they must trust in God’s guidance.
Historically, this event occurs around 1406 BC, at the end of Israel’s 40-year wilderness wandering. The timing is significant: it’s the season of the harvest (Joshua 3:15), meaning the Jordan River would have been swollen with floodwaters, making crossing seemingly impossible without divine intervention. A question we might ask is: Why does God lead them at this particular time, when the river is at its most dangerous? One possible answer is that this timing showcases God’s power and sets the stage for an undeniable miracle. The people would not be able to attribute their crossing to mere chance or human effort. As commentator Matthew Henry notes, “The more difficulties are in the way of God’s people, the more God is glorified in their deliverance.”
Inspirational Insight: Trust in God’s timing, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable. He often brings us to impossible situations to display His power and lead us in ways we have never gone before.
Verses 5-8: Consecration and Instructions to Joshua
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'”
In this section, we see Joshua acting as both leader and intermediary between God and the people. The command to “consecrate yourselves” underscores the need for spiritual purity and preparation before experiencing God’s wonders. The Hebrew word for “consecrate” (qadash) means to be set apart or made holy. The people are about to witness a miracle, but they first need to prepare their hearts and lives. This is a reminder that before God acts mightily, He often calls His people to reflect, repent, and purify themselves.
For Joshua, this event is particularly significant. God tells him, “I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel,” paralleling Moses’ leadership when he parted the Red Sea. This public validation of Joshua as Moses’ successor is necessary for the people’s confidence as they embark on the conquest of Canaan. Why is Joshua’s exaltation so important at this moment? Perhaps the answer lies in the transitional nature of leadership. Moses, the beloved leader, is gone, and the Israelites must fully trust Joshua. By performing a miracle similar to the Red Sea crossing, God reassures both Joshua and the people that His presence and power remain with them.
Inspirational Insight: God often calls us to prepare our hearts before He works miracles in our lives. Consecration precedes blessing, and leadership rooted in God’s calling brings assurance to those we lead.
Verses 9-13: Joshua’s Address to the People
And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
Joshua’s words to the people here are full of both promise and instruction. By proclaiming that “the living God is among you,” Joshua not only affirms God’s presence but also His active involvement in the Israelites’ journey. The promise of driving out the inhabitants of the land is a reiteration of God’s covenant promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21), reminding the people that God is faithful to His word. The miracle of the Jordan River parting is meant to confirm that, just as God delivered them from Egypt, He will lead them into victory in Canaan.
A question that arises is: Why was it necessary for the priests to step into the water before the miracle occurred? This moment requires an act of faith. The priests had to trust that God would act after they obeyed. This reflects the principle that sometimes God asks for a step of faith before He reveals His power. As the commentary in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries suggests, “Faith precedes the miracle, and obedience precedes deliverance.” The water didn’t part until their feet touched the river, emphasizing the need for active faith in God’s promises.
Inspirational Insight: God’s promises are sure, but often He requires us to step out in faith before He acts. Obedience, even when the outcome isn’t visible, is a key to experiencing His miracles.
Verses 14-17: The Miracle of the Jordan Crossing
So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
This section describes the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the water, and the floodwaters immediately stop, creating a path for the Israelites to cross. The mention of the river stopping at the town of Adam, some 20 miles upstream, reinforces the magnitude of the miracle. This event mirrors the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, demonstrating that the same God who delivered them from Egypt would now lead them into Canaan.
One might ask: Why does God repeat a miracle so similar to the Red Sea crossing? Perhaps the answer is twofold. First, it reassures a new generation of Israelites, many of whom had not witnessed the original miracle, that God’s power and promises remain unchanged. Second, it serves as a sign to the surrounding nations, foreshadowing the fear that would grip the people of Jericho (Joshua 2:9-11). This miracle would not only strengthen Israel’s faith but also strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.
Inspirational Insight: Just as God opened a way through the Jordan, He opens paths in our lives that seem impossible. Trust in His ability to make a way, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.
Contemporary Application
The events of Joshua 3 translate into contemporary life in profound ways. The crossing of the Jordan teaches us about trust, obedience, and God’s faithfulness in the face of daunting obstacles. Like the Israelites, we are often called to step into unknown territory, trusting that God will provide a way. Each section of this chapter encourages us to consecrate ourselves, act in faith, and follow God’s guidance in our own lives.
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