Joshua 3:1-17
Q.1. What signal was given to gather the people for the crossing of the Jordan? Why were they keeping their distance from the ark? How was Israel to prepare? – (Josh.3:1-6)
It is estimated that the new generation who were to enter the Promised Land were upwards of two million strong. It was a huge logistical operation, to lead Israel over the Jordan River. The word was sent around the tribes – … When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it (Josh.3:3). However, they were to stay almost one kilometre behind the Ark (2,000 cubits) – … Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before (Josh.3:4). The people were to respect the ark that represented their holy God, Who would lead them into the unknown. To mark the significance of this day, they were commanded – Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you (Josh 3:5). We do many routine things without thinking. However, when we embark on a new venture, we must consciously be allowing the Lord God and His principles to guide us. Israel was to cross over in battle formation.
Q.2. What was the significance of the crossing for Joshua, Israel, and God? When would the miracle happen? Who represented the tribes? – (Josh.3:7-13)
The crossing of the Jordan transformed the leadership of Joshua – Now the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you (Josh.3:7). It also assured Israel of God’s presence, and all that that would mean – … By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite (Josh.3:10). How would His presence raise their confidence? Because – the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan (Josh.3:11). They were being led by the Lord of all the earth. All the tribes who made up Israel were represented by their own elected leader. However, they were all again reminded that it was the presence of – the Lord of all the earth … that made them formidable (Josh.3:13).
Q.3. What was the condition of the Jordan at that time? When did the waters of the river part to make a path for the crossing? How long did the miracle last? – (Josh.3:14-17)
It was at the time of harvest when the people arrived at the Jordan River, which was overflowing its banks (Josh.3:15). If God had not been among them, the day could have been a national embarrassment. Instead – when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water … the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So, the people crossed opposite Jericho (Josh.3:15-16). While the priest stood in the middle of the river carrying the ark, the whole nation crossed on dry ground (Josh.3:17). Jericho previously would have been protected by the flooded river, but God took their defence away.