Joshua 3:1-17

3:2-4 | The people of Israel needed God’s direction because they had not passed this way before. It was direction He would provide as they followed the ark.

3:3 | The ark of the covenant is a central focus of this chapter and the next. When the Israelites were not in transit, the ark resided in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle and later the temple. It represented the presence and the power of God among the people (Ex. 25:22). Jesus is the NT believer’s means of access to God. He not only represents God; He is God among His people (John 1:14).

3:4 | The distance of two thousand cubits, more than half a mile, served two purposes: (1) It kept the Israelites far enough away from the holy ark of the covenant that they could not touch it, for touching it meant instant death (Num. 4:15; 2 Sam. 6:6-7); and (2) it put the ark close enough to the three and a half million Israelites that it would never be out of their sight. If their focus was on it, they would be less distracted by fear of the challenges they might face.

3:5 | In the process of preparing to cross the Jordan River, the people of Israel sanctified themselves, preparing spiritually for God’s wondrous work among them (Lev. 20:7; 1 Sam. 16:5; Joel 2:16). To be right before God is to be ready for every good thing He will do.

3:6 | The priests had to follow the Lord’s instructions for carrying the ark (Ex. 25:12-13; 37:3-5; Num. 4:15; Deut. 10:8; 18:1-5; 31:9).

3:15-17 | The verb forms used here have the effect of presenting the action in slow motion so that the miracle that takes place can be savored! God brought the Israelites to the banks of the Jordan at a time when He could miraculously demonstrate His power: specifically during harvest, when the river was filled to overflowing (1 Chron. 12:15). The priests bearing the ark came to the water’s edge and stepped forward, obeying Joshua’s command. It was just a step, but the waters parted and all Israel crossed over on dry ground. Like He did at the Red Sea, Yahweh brought His people through a crossing that they could not undertake in their own strength (Ex. 14). Every big act for God begins with a small step of faith (Heb. 11:29).