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Joshua rose early in the morning, and he and all the Israelites set out from Shittim, and came to the Jordan River; and they stayed there overnight before crossing.
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After three days, the officers went through the whole camp,
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and gave command to the people, saying, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the priests, who are Levites, then you shall also set out from your place and follow it—
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only there shall be between you and it a distance of about two thousand cubits; do not come near it, so that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
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Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
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And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
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And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
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And you shall command the priests who carry 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.’”
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Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come near and hear the words of the LORD your God.”
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Joshua also said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will surely drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites:
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behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan.
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Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from each tribe.
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And it shall be, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off; the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
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When the people set out from their camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went before the people.
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And when those who carried the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who carried the ark dipped into the edge of the water—now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest—
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then the water stopped flowing. The water coming down from upstream rose up in a heap, far away, near Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah, that is, the Salt Sea, was cut off completely. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
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But the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
🌊👣🕊️ Summary of Joshua 3 – Crossing the Jordan by Faith
Joshua 3 records the miraculous event when the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River, an initial step into the Promised Land. Just as Moses parted the Red Sea, Joshua also witnessed the power of God stopping the river’s flow, confirming his leadership and the faith of the people.
📌 1. Spiritual Preparation for Crossing (verses 1–6)
- Joshua and the people of Israel camped by the Jordan for 3 days.
- The officers gave the command:
Follow the ark of the covenant carried by the Levitical priests.
Keep a distance of 2,000 cubits (about 900 meters) so all could see the ark.
- Joshua said:
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do a wondrous work.” (verse 5)
🎯 Spiritual preparation comes before God’s miracle — holiness makes way for His presence.
📌 2. The Promise of a Miracle and the Confirming of Joshua’s Leadership (verses 7–13)
- The LORD spoke to Joshua:
“Today I begin to exalt your name…” (verse 7)
- Joshua explained that when the priests’ feet touched the Jordan, the water would stop flowing.
- This would be a sign that the LORD was truly with them in taking possession of the Promised Land.
🎯 The LORD confirms faithful leaders by showing His power before the people.
📌 3. The Jordan River Is Divided, and Israel Crosses Over (verses 14–17)
- When the priests who carried the ark stepped into the river, the water stopped flowing.
- The river was in flood because of the harvest season, but the water ceased and stood “piled up in a heap.”
- All the people crossed over on dry ground, and the priests stood in the middle of the river until all was finished.
🎯 Faith and obedience open the way for miracles beyond reason — the Lord makes a path in the midst of difficulty.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord requires holiness and preparation before revealing His power.
- A leader who obeys will be confirmed by the Lord before the people.
- The Lord leads His people in a real way — the ark of the covenant is a sign of His presence.
- Miracles happen when the people believe and step forward in faith, not before.
- The Lord is able to open a way through the greatest challenges.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
“By faith they passed through the sea as through dry land…”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
(Jesus is the spiritual “ark of the covenant” that opens the way to salvation)
🎯 The ark of the covenant points to Christ, who leads us across the “river of death” into eternal life.
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do a wondrous work among you.” – Joshua 3:5
“As soon as the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord… step into the waters of the Jordan, the waters will be cut off.” – Joshua 3:13
“All Israel crossed over on dry ground.” – Joshua 3:17
