Joshua Chapter 3

The moment had finally arrived.  It was time for the Israelites to enter the promised land only there was one major obstacle in front of them and that was the Jordan River.  Imagine the talk of the people as they learned that they were going to follow the Ark of the Covenant carried by the priests.  Some were probably questioning if they were going to cross the Jordan as their parents had crossed the Red Sea.  Others probably thought they would travel northward to find an easier place to cross the river.  But then came the news from Joshua that they were to “consecrate themselves because tomorrow the Lord was going to do wonders among them.”  God was about to make it very clear that He was going with them.

Then Joshua further explained to the people what was going to happen.  The LORD of all the earth was going to cause the Jordan River to stop flowing so that they could cross on dry land.  He told them that when the priests took that first step into the river that God was going to perform a miracle.  The waters would not only stop flowing but further upstream, they were told, that the water would heap up as if the hand of God just created a barrier wall.  Can you imagine the electrifying feeling that flowed through the people as they heard Joshua proclaim these words?  God was going to make a way.

Let's Reflect

1.  At the banks of the Jordan River, they camped to rest before travelling on.  How many days does the Bible say they stayed there?

2. What detail does the Bible give about the river that tells us that this was a fairly deep body of water?  See verse 15.

3.  What were the Levite priests instructed to do once they entered the water?

4.  According to verse 10, Joshua told the people that the miracle would cause them to know what fact?

5.  According to verse 12, some men from each tribe were to be selected for a special job.  We will read in the next chapter what that special job was.  How many men were to be selected for this special task?

6.  What had to happen first before the LORD would cause the waters to stop flowing?

7.  Verse 16 tells us how extensive this miracle was.  God didn’t just calm the waters enough to make it easier to cross.  The Bible says that the waters were completely cut off from flowing.  It describes how it affected the whole region.  We learn at what location the crossing took place.  The Bible says they were directly opposite what city that was on the other side of the Jordan?

8.  What does the Bible say about the ground that the people walked on as they were crossing the Jordan River?  What a miracle!