Normally the Jordan River would not have been a major obstacle to entering into the land, but it was April and the river was at its highest level. It was in its flood stage. During most of the year, the Jordan River was about 100’ feet wide, but during the spring flood season it would overflow its banks and become a mile wide in some spots. In addition, the very word “Jordan” means “descender” because the river drops nearly 1,000’ in elevation as it goes from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It has been estimated that this increases the speed of the current by about ten miles per hour during flood season.
Humanly speaking, there was no possible way for the children of Israel to cross the Jordan as this time of the year. Think about it, funneling across, at one spot, two-million people along with livestock and possessions seems like an insurmountable problem. How as Joshua going to get the whole nation across the river? He wasn’t, but God was.
The only question that remained had to do with whether Israel would trust the Lord to get them passed this seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
In chapter 2 the focus was on the faith of one individual, Rahab. In chapters 3-4 the focus is on the faith of the entire nation as a whole. Chapters 3-4 go together as one unit because they describe how God led Israel through this obstacle to victory. In addition to leading Israel through this obstacle the Lord also helped Israel to move forward by faith. He did this in three ways. He gave them a clear message (v.3:1-13), he gave them a confirming miracle (v.3:14-17), and he gave them a continuous memorial (v.4:1-24).
Before we look at the first element of God’s help in overcoming the obstacle set before them, let’s set the context.
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed.
Joshua 3:1 tells us that Israel moved from their camp at Shittim (Acacia Grove) and made the approximately seven mile journey to the Jordan. This was done in fulfillment of Joshua’s earlier plans (Joshua 1:11).
11 "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'"
As was stated in our study of that passage, the phrase “within three days” has caused a great deal of debate regarding the chronology of the story (compare v.1:11 with v.2:22; 3:2). Does this indicate an error in Scripture? Does God’s word contradict itself? Is the Bible trustworthy?
Various solutions have been offered to solve the dilemma.
Solution #1 – This theory states that the term “three days” is a stereotypical / general phrase that really means, “in a few days.”
Solution #2 – This theory states that in v.1:11 Joshua was simply estimating when they would cross the Jordan. However, he did not anticipate the spies being delayed for an additional three days. In this scenario it actually took six days to get the people ready to cross the Jordan.
Solution #3 – This theory states that Joshua sent out the spies prior to his comments in v.1:11, therefore the account in chapter two is not chronological but parenthetical.
Which solution, if any is correct? Let me suggest a solution that combines theory #1 and theory #3.
The phrase “within three days” is a Hebrew idiom that can mean “on the third day.” The NIV translates it, “three days from now.” In addition, we should mention that time in the Old Testament was kept in an inclusive manner. In other words, the first and last units or fractions of units of a group were included as fuller units of the total group. Thus, part of today, tomorrow and the next day day can be called three days (which is helpful to understand v.2:22; 3:2).
If we assume that Joshua sent out the spies before v.1:11, then the following chronology is possible.
Day #1 – The announcement is made in v.1:11 to prepare to move.
Day #2 – The people move from the Acacia Grove to the Jordan
Day #3 – Israel receives its instructions about the crossing of the
Jordan as stated in v.3:1-13.
Somewhere during this time the spies return and give their report. Never panic when someone points out a seeming contradiction in God’s word, there is usually a good explanation.
In any event, the narrative picks up at v.3:2 and begins the description of the clear message of faith.
God Gave Israel a Clear Message – v.2-13
Think for a moment about the people as they waited by the Jordan looking at the flood swollen river. They must have wondered, “How are we going to get across that thing?” Remember now that this was their first major crisis for Joshua to handle. How was he going to respond? Like Moses, Joshua knew where to go for instruction.
It seems clear that Joshua received direct communication from the Lord throughout these first few chapters instructing him specifically on what to do. These instructions were in turn communicated to the Elders and then to the people (3:2-4; cf. 1:10-11).
What was the clear message that was to be communicated here in chapter 3? The Lord would be with them and lead them through this obstacle (a point that is emphasized in every set of instructions). This message is made clear in verse 2-3 with the mention of the Ark of the Covenant.
2 And it came about at the end of three days that 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.
This is the first mention of the ark in Joshua but it will not be the last. In fact, the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned seventeen times in chapters 3-4 alone. It is mentioned ten times in chapter 3 (v.3, 6 [twice], 8, 11, 13, 14, 15 [twice], 17) and seven times in chapter 4 (v.5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18). This many mentions of the ark are meant to serve as an assurance to the people. How? The ark represented the symbol of God’s presence among His people (Exodus 25). By making the ark the prominent focus God was saying, “Don’t look at the obstacle, look at Me.” Verse 3 drives this point home.
"When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God”…..
“then you shall set out from your place and go after it”
As we saw in chapter one, there was an order to how God communicated His instructions to the people, so too here, there is an order to how the clear message of His presence and guidance is communicated to the people.
The Elders Instruct the People – v.2-4
2 And it came about at the end of three days that 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 between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
The purpose of this step in the instruction process is direction. The people were given specific direction as to how they were to proceed and in what order they were to proceed.
As to the order they were to proceed in, they were to follow the instructions given to them by God in Numbers 2. In that chapter the various tribes were assigned specific positions when they traveled and specific locations when they set up camp.
This is what is referred to in v.3 where the people are told,
"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."
As to how they were to proceed, again, the people were given specific instructions previously about the proper transportation of the ark (Exodus 25:12-13; Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8).
4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure.
It is believed that a cubit was the distance from a man’s finger tips to his elbow, generally, about eighteen inches. If this is the case then 2,000 cubits would be about 3,000 feet, or 1,000 yards. Why were they to stay so far back? No doubt one reason was to remind the people about the holiness of God. They were not to take His presence lightly. However, the text clearly gives the reason.
Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
In a very long sentence, Keil and Delitzsch explain,
The ark was carried in front of the people, not so much to show the road as to make a road by dividing the waters of the Jordan, and the people were to keep at a distance from it, that they might not lose sight of the ark, but keep their eyes fixed upon it, and know the road by looking at the ark of the covenant by which the road had been made, i.e., might know and observe how the Lord, through the medium of the ark, was leading them to Canaan by a way which they had never traversed before, i.e., by a miraculous way. (Quoted in Joshua: Bible Study Commentary, Paul P. Enns, pp. 36-37)
Since the people had never traveled this way before, they needed God to Guide them. By keeping the right distance the people would be able to keep their eyes fixed on Him (through the ark) and stay on the right path.
Joshua Instructs the People and Priests – v.5-6
The purpose for this step in the instruction process is preparation.
5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
To the people, Joshua said prepare yourselves by consecration for the great thing God is going to do tomorrow. The word consecrate is the Hebrew word qadash and has the basic idea of being set apart (just like the New Testament word hagios). Joshua’s words of instruction are both a command and a promise. The fulfillment of the promise depended on the obedience of the command.
Warren Wiersbe makes an interesting point,
Some of God’s promises are unconditional, and all we have to do is believe them; while other promises require that we meet certain conditions. In meeting these conditions, we’re not earning God’s blessing; we’re making sure our hearts are ready for God’s blessing (Be Strong, pp. 48).
In this context, they were to separate themselves from the things that were unclean and common. Consecration before a major event was not unusual in the Old Testament, especially when God was going to reveal Himself in a special way (Exodus 19). In fact, if the experience of Israel at Mt. Sinai is the pattern, then the consecration process would include, washing oneself, changing one’s cloths, and abstaining from sexual relations (Exodus 19:10-15).
In the Bible the imagery of washing one’s body and changing clothes symbolized making a new beginning with the Lord. Since sin is pictured as defilement (Ps. 51:2, 7), God has to cleanse us before we can truly follow Him. When Jacob made a new beginning with the Lord and returned to Bethel, he and his family washed themselves and changed their garments (Gen. 35:1-3). After King David confessed his sin, he bathed, changed clothes, and worshiped the Lord (2 Sam. 12:20) (Be Strong, pp. 48).
To the priests his instruction was very simple, Prepare to do your job!
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.
Interestingly, the text does not indicate that the priests new exactly what was going to happen. They only knew that the next day the Lord was going to do wonders among them. For them to lead the way with the ark they too needed some faith and courage. No doubt Joshua instilled both in them, although we are not told so in the text.
The Lord Instructs Joshua – v.7-8
This purpose for this step in the instruction process is confirmation.
7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.
Verse 7 is a confirmation of God’s promise given in Joshua 1:5, 17. God’s presence with Joshua was important because it not only encouraged Joshua, but it validated His leadership and confirmed him as God’s man. Just as God confirmed Moses’ leadership through the miracle at the Red Sea, so too will He confirm Joshua’s leadership at the Jordan River.
It is interesting that God exalts Joshua through this miracle, even though Joshua is not directly involved in the miracle, except in giving the instructions. In addition, the purpose of exalting Joshua was not for Joshua’s sake only, rather, that they may know, which has the idea of “so that” they may know (which indicates purpose). The “they” refers to the children of Israel. What is it that the Lord wanted them to know? Just as He had been with Moses, He would be with Joshua.
This is fulfilled in Joshua 4:14
14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life.
Verse 8 basically picks up where verse 6 left off.
8 "You shall, moreover, 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.'"
In verse 6 the priests are told to take up the ark and go before the people. In verse 8 they are told to go to the banks of the Jordan and get ready to step in the water.
Joshua Instructs All of the People – v.9-13
The purpose of this step in the instruction process is for explanation and exhortation. Joshua is now going to explain what God is going to do to get them across the Jordan (passed the obstacle). Notice that he makes it clear that what he is about to say is not from him, but from the Lord.
9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God."
What the Lord was going to do, He was going to do so that Israel would know that the living God was among them and that He will, without fail, drive out from before them the inhabitants of Canaan.
10 And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
In verse 10 we have already the third use of the word “know” (v.4, 7, 10) in this chapter. The Lord really wanted to assure the people that everything was going to be okay. He wanted them to “know” it as a fact.
By using the term “the living God” Joshua was reminding them that their God was unique, not like the pagan gods of the people they were going to encounter on the other side (Psalm 115:3-7). This living God was not off in some distant, unreachable place, but He was “among” them. The living God’s eviction of the inhabitants on the other side was going to be no contest because as Joshua says, He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
Here seven different inhabitants of the land of Canaan are mentioned, but as we will find out there will be more than that evicted (Joshua 9:1; 11:3; 12:8; 24:11). Seven are listed here, probably as a sign of completeness. In other words, God’s promise of help was a comprehensive promise.
Who are these seven groups of people that are mentioned here? We will talk about them more as we make our way through this book, but I want to briefly highlight each group.
The Canaanites – Sometimes the term Canaanite is used as an all inclusive term to refer any people living in Canaan regardless of their ethnic identity. However here and in other places (Joshua 7:9; Judges 1:27-29) it refers to a specific group of people in Canaan. These people were the descendants of Canaan the son of Ham (Genesis 10:15-19). They were a Semitic people that normally lived along the coastline of Phoenicia.
The Hittites – These were probably migrants from the Hittite Empire in Asia Minor. Here in Joshua it is apparent that they resided in the hill country of Canaan, especially in the northeast area near Syria (Joshua 11:3).
The Hivites – They appear to have lived in the mountainous region in what is today Lebanon (Joshua 11:3; Judges 3:3).
The Perizzites – They appear to have lived in the forested areas of central Palestine and the highlands of Samaria (Joshua 17:15; Genesis 13:7).
The Girgashites – No one knows for sure the exact area in which these people lived.
The Amorites – Like the term Canaanite, the term Amorite was also used in an all inclusive manner. Likewise, it also can refer to a specific group of people. Next to the Hittites, the Amorites were possibly the most powerful group of people in Palestine. Yet, Israel had already defeated this group of people who lived in the Transjordan area (Numbers 21:21-35; Joshua 2:10). If you remember, the 2 1/2 tribes had already been granted the privilege of living in that conquered area (Numbers 32:1-27; Joshua 1:13-15). The mention of this group here reinforces the idea that the writer is giving this list of seven names as sign of completeness.
The Jebusites – They are mainly known because they inhabited what we now know as Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8; 18:28; see also
1 Chronicles 11:4-9). Jerusalem was previously known as “Jebus” (2 Samuel 5:6-10).
In this list we seem to have the whole area of Palestine covered.
· Northwest – Girgashites?
· North – Hivites
· Northeast – Hittites and Amorites
· South, Southwest – Jebusites
· Southeast, East – Amorites
· Central Coast – Canaanites
· Central Palestine – Perzzites
(Much of this information came from David M. Howard; NAC Commentary: Joshua; pp. 126-127)
In verse 11 the writer places our focus directly on the authority of God. Why does God have the right to lead Israel across the Jordan so that they can drive out the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites? Because He is the Lord of all the earth!
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.
The word Lord here is not Yahweh, but Adonai which means ruler or owner. Because He is Lord, ruler, owner of all the earth, He has the sovereign right to give the land to whom He chooses.
How would they know He would do this? Behold, the ark of the covenant……. is crossing over ahead of you. Joshua says to the people “Look (behold), focus your attention on the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, and He will lead passed this obstacle.”
12 Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.
Verse 12 is a detail that the writer adds to create suspense for what will happen later in v.4:2-9.
13 And it shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above shall stand in one heap."
Finally, in verse 13 Joshua gets around to explaining how the miracle is going to happen. The entire chapter has been building to this point and it is fleshed out a little more in v.14-17 (next week).
What can we learn from this passage? The main thing we can take away from this passage is that there is way to face obstacles that come our way and there is a way for us to move forward by faith.
In order for us to move forward passed our obstacles we should do four things.
(1) Focus on God’s Presence
Paul asked the rhetorical question in Romans 8:31
31…….If God is for us, who is against us?
There is no obstacle that confronts us that is insurmountable with the Lord’s help! How many times have I heard someone say, “But Pastor Jim, I can’t”……and they are right, we can’t, but God can. He can work through us and through our circumstances to accomplish what we could never accomplish on our own.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
He may not obliterate our obstacle rather, He may lead us on a new path we have never been on or used before. He may even require that we walk right up to the obstacle and dip our feet in the water. The key is keeping our eyes fixed on Him.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(2) Focus on our own Preparation
It might be that the obstacle cannot be overcome because our own hearts are not right. Israel was told to “consecrate yourselves” so that they would not stand in the way of God working. It could be that we fail to focus on His presence because we have not prepared ourselves to even see or expect His help. It may be that we have not shed those encumbrances that hinder us.
(3) Focus on God’s Promises
God promised Israel this land, and His promises never fail. He promised Joshua that He was going to exalt him before the people, and that He was doing.
2 Peter 1:4
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us….the same promise He gave to Joshua (Josh. 1:5).
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say,
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"
(4) Focus on God’s Power
He is the “living God” and He dwells among His people. He can move our obstacles if we will trust Him.
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