Joshua 3

Joshua also told the people to choose twelve men, one man from each tribe (verse 12). The reason for this command will become clear in the next chapter (see Joshua 4:1–9).

14–17 . . . as soon as the priests’ feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing (verses 15–16). The water piled up in a heap almost thirty kilometers upstream from where the priests touched the water;the “pilingup” must have occurred some time before,²⁰ in order to give time for the water to empty downstream into the Sea of the Arabah²¹ (verse 16).

God often gives His people a special sign or confirmation that He is indeed with them; this is especially true when we are about to embark on some important undertaking for Him. It is not wrong to ask for such a sign, but we must not expect it or demand it; we must move ahead in faith whether a sign is given or not. God knows when we need a sign, and He always gives us whatever we need in order to carry out His will.

. . . all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing (verse 17). This new generation of Israelites was certainly different from their fathers’ generation; their fathers had been afraid to enter the promised land (Numbers 13:26–33; 14:1–9), and they ended up dying in the desert because of their disobedience (Numbers 14:32–35). But these Israelites were committed to doing God’s will. For them, crossing the Jordan into a land of giants and fortified cities was a tremendous step of faith and obedience. And God rewarded their faith and obedience; and He will reward our faith and obedience also. There are times in our Christian lives when we come to a “Jordan River”; let us not hold back. Let us not fear the giants, the cities, the flood waters. If we step out in faith, God will lead us safely across and grant us success in our undertaking.

The Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan symbolizes our own crossing into the full spiritual inheritance that awaits us in Christ. Crossing the Jordan symbolizes total commitment to Christ.²² Many Christians never “cross the Jordan”; they may have been delivered from “Egypt” (from bondage to Satan), but they do not experience the presence and power of Christ in their lives. They remain spiritually undeveloped, spiritually defeated.

After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites still had many battles ahead of them, but because they had committed themselves to the Lord they could be assured of victory. We Christians, too, have many battles ahead of us, and we too can be assured of victory in Christ (Ephesians 3:20–21). But first we have to cross the Jordan.