Joshua 3:1-8
1 Then Joshua got up early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they spent the night there before they crossed.
2 Then at the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;
3 and they commanded the people, saying, “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.
4 However, there shall be a distance between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measurement. Do not come near it, so that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do miracles among you.”
6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
7 Now the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they will know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
8 So you shall command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”
Preparation to cross the Jordan
At the riverbank
After leaving Shittim, the Israelites arrived at the Jordan and camped on the riverbank for three days. One should not analyze the situation at the time by considering what the river is like today. The amount of water back then was far greater than what is today. Surely, the people of Israel thought to themselves that it was impossible for them to cross on their own and felt strongly that God’s help was absolutely necessary for it to happen. After three days, the officers went through the camp and ordered the people. (2) There shall be a distance of 2,000 cubits (about 3,000 ft.) between the people and the ark of the covenant, and they shall cross the river after it. “The Ark of the Covenant” was a chest made with acacia wood, about 3 ft. in length, about 2 ft. in both width and height, and was overlaid with gold. Inside the ark were two stone tablets on which the ten commandments were written, manna, and Aaron’s rod that blossomed. (1) The ark of the covenant going ahead of the people signified that it is the presence of God that leads the people. (2) The 2,000 cubits of distance between the ark and the people signified the holiness of God. Also, the distance allowed it to be seen from any direction as it advanced forward. By the way, in later Judaism, the distance of 2,000 cubits was interpreted as the distance a person can walk on Sabbath.
Preparation of the heart
A day before the crossing, Joshua commanded the people to prepare their hearts. “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (v 5). “Wonders” is the new revelation (miracle) from God. (Something similar happened before back in Ex. 19:10-15. There the Israelites had prepared for two days to meet with the Lord.) The Lord was trying to teach the Israelites through the miracle of the crossing that He himself was with Joshua. Then and now, the work of the Lord is accomplished through the power of his presence. We shall do our part by consecrating our bodies, preparing our hearts, acknowledging the holiness of the Lord’s presence, and advancing forward in obedience to His guidance. Let us go out to the world, affirming the Lord’s presence.
Today's prayer
God of Israel, I yearn for Your presence. Please guide me along Your path today. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.