Israel: Crossing the Jordan

Joshua 3-4

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

Someone has said that God is seldom early, never late; he’s always right on time. It’s true, God acts according to his perfect timing. If you are waiting for God…keep waiting. When it’s time, he shows up in amazing ways.

As we continue exploring the Old Testament, focusing on God’s Story in God’s People, today we reach a river crossing—a large river that fulfills a significant promise. 

The promise God made to Abraham was finally coming true. The same God who led Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea was about to guide them across the Jordan River so Israel could begin their conquest of the promised land. Don’t overlook the similarities in God’s miracles. God parted the Red Sea to deliver Israel from slavery, and he was about to part the Jordan River to lead Israel into the promised land. By his great power, he leads us out and leads us on.[1]

On that momentous morning, Joshua woke up early. Israel was camping in Shittim, on the plains of Moab. He prepared the people and led them to the place where they would cross the Jordan, a journey of about five miles. They camped there for three days, waiting on God’s timing (Josh. 3:1).

After three days, Joshua shared the plan with the leaders, who then told 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 2,000 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” (Josh. 3:3-4).

Let’s take some time to learn more about the ark of the covenant. 

The Ark of the Covenant
King David called the ark of the covenant “the footstool of our God” (1 Chron. 28:2). The ark symbolized God’s presence among his people and serves as a picture (or type) of Jesus. It was crafted from acacia wood and overlaid with gold, representing both Christ’s humanity and deity. 

The ark itself measured nearly four feet long, two and a quarter feet wide, and two and a quarter feet deep. The lid of the ark was crafted from solid gold and featured two angels facing each other. This lid, called the mercy seat, was where the high priest sprinkled sacrificial blood. Picture that gold lid, covered with blood, symbolizing the sacrificial blood of Jesus, which would ultimately be poured out as the perfect sacrifice. 

Inside the ark were three items: the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments representing God’s law, a jar of manna symbolizing God’s provision, and Aaron’s rod that had budded, representing God’s power and authority. Four gold rings were attached to the corners of the ark, and wooden poles overlaid with gold were inserted into the rings, allowing the ark to be carried by the priests.

Joshua told the people to follow behind the chest, keeping a distance of about three-quarters of a mile, so everyone could see it (Josh. 3:4).  The ark of the covenant would lead them into a new day, “for you have not passed this way before.”

The Crossing
God told 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” (Josh. 3:7). Following God’s instruction, Joshua told the priests that when they walk with the ark to the “brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan” (Josh. 3:8). As soon as the priests’ feet touched the edge of the water, the river stopped flowing at that spot. The priests carrying the ark stood in the middle of the river, and the people crossed on dry ground. 

Let's take a moment to briefly review history. Honestly, when you visit Israel today and see the Jordan River, it doesn't seem very impressive. The river is much smaller than it was during biblical times. Records from as recent as 1854 show the Jordan was about 100 feet wide and 10 to 20 feet deep at Jericho. In 1400 BC, the river was much broader, and to make matters worse, during the Israelites' crossing, it was at flood stage (Josh. 3:15). This usually happened when snow from Mount Hermon melted and flowed into the Jordan Valley, causing flooding. On the day Israel crossed, the banks were overflowing, the current was strong, and the ground was very muddy. Yet God would “cut off [the river] from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap” (Josh. 3:13). 

With the priests still standing in the middle of the river, Joshua sent twelve men—one from each tribe—to the middle of the river to retrieve twelve large rocks (Josh. 4:1-3). The stones were stacked to serve as a reminder of God’s goodness and great power. Joshua said, “When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever” (Josh 4:6-7). 

Let me end with two applications regarding this miraculous event.

First, Joshua instructed the people to follow the ark because “you have not passed this way before” (Josh. 3:4). The ark served as a symbol of Jesus. Today, we continue to follow Jesus, knowing that each new day we have not passed this way before. However, we trust that wherever he leads, it is always the right way, and he will provide comfort and encouragement as he guides our every step. 

Second, I am always moved by the memorial stones. Joshua knew that future generations would not remember the miraculous crossing, so the stones were a “memorial forever.” I encourage you to keep something in your home that reminds you of God’s personal work in your life—something to pass down to your children. It could be your highlighted, marked-up Bible, your prayer journal, a written testimony, or a recorded story of your spiritual journey. Give your kids and grandkids a “memorial stone” that reminds them of Christ’s work in your life and family; something to share as a testimony for future generations.

So, Israel crossed the Jordan River. They are standing in the promised land. They praise God…and then they look up to see their first obstacle—Jericho—the most fortified city in the known world.

That’s where we will start next time.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Joshua 3-4. What does it practically look like for you to follow Jesus when “you have not passed this way before”?

Talking to God: Ask God to keep you focused on Jesus.  

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