Joshua 3 (5)

So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Joshua 3.14-16

Reflect.
1.  Notice how the writer builds the drama of this moment. Read these verses slowly, putting yourself in the place of those people, and let the drama build in your soul. Enjoy. 

2.  Approximately how much of the Jordan River dried up?

Think about it.
The book of Joshua contains many dramatic moments, in which the writer wants us to slow down and enter more fully into the action. See how he does this here: The people set out. The priests are in the lead. The feet of the priests enter the river. The river is at flood stage. The upstream waters stand still. The downstream waters fail. The people cross.

That’s just good writing, writing which wants to make a lasting impression These few verses do more than merely set a dramatic scene, however. They recall each of God’s previous commands and show that Israel carried them out faithfully.

How much of the Jordan dried up? “Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan,” was just below the Jezreel valley (cf. 1 Kgs. 4.12), perhaps 25 miles north of where Israel had camped. South to the “Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea” was perhaps another 5 or 10 miles. The Jordan River flows 156 miles from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, so as much as one-fourth of the river bed may have dried up, affording plenty of room for the people to pass in an orderly manner. At the same time, the phenomenon would have been observed by nearly ever Canaanite along the Jordan Valley, including those who would have experienced an augmenting of the flood because of the “heap” of water at Adam.

God used this sign to show His faithfulness to the people of Israel, and to embolden them to press on in laying hold of all His promises. At the same time, this sign struck terror into the hearts of the Lord’s enemies, but not so that they would give up trying to resist Him and His people. Compare this situation with what we see in Acts 4: A miracle noted by many emboldens Peter, John, and all the disciples, while it strikes terror into the souls of God’s enemies, who nonetheless determine to resist Him.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Joshua 3 provides lessons in leadership – how God leads His people. What are you learning about God’s leadership from this chapter?

2.  Miracles can happen when we are obedient to the Lord’s commands. Our every next step might be the one God chooses to bless in removing some obstacle, illuminating our path, or enabling us to realize His promises. Apply this to your daily walk with the Lord.

3.  Joshua reported the Word of God to the people of Israel. He did not try to explain it, because that would have been impossible. He just said, “This is what the LORDsays.” The people heard and obeyed. Power comes from hearing and obeying God’s Word, not necessarily from understanding it in exhaustive detail. How does this counsel you as a follower of Jesus Christ?

“A strange power divided the river. One section came to a halt, its stream flowing back, while another section hastened in its gliding course to the sea, leaving the river bed exposed. Where the current surged strongly from its source, it held back and piled high its waves, so that a threatening mountain of water hung poised in quivering formation and looked down to see human feet passing across the dry, deep bed, and grimy soles hastening over the congealed mud, dry-footed in mid-river.” Paulinas of Nola (355-431 AD)

Give me grace, Lord, to hear and obey Your Word daily, so that…

Pray Psalm 114.
As you pray, think of the miracles God has accomplished and the power He has shown relating to your salvation. Give Him specific thanks and praise.

Psalm 114 (Duke Street: Jesus Shall Reign)
When Israel out from Egypt went –
They of God’s gracious covenant –
Out from a land of language strange,
Into their midst Jehovah came.

He His dominion o’er them set;
At His command the dark sea fled.
Jordan subsided at His Word;
Mountains and hills obey our Lord.

What ails the sea that it should flee?
Jordan, that it should withered be?
What makes the mountains skip like rams?
What makes the hills spring up like lambs?

Tremble, O earth: the Lord is near!
Jacob’s great God is present here!
He from the rock sweet water brings,
Making the flint gush flowing springs.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).