Joshua 3-4
The Story of Crossing the Jordan
Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground as the priests bear the ark, and memorial stones remember God's help.
Setting and Context
Crossing the Jordan mirrors the Red Sea and marks entry into the promised land under Joshua. The ark leads; the people follow; memory is built into the nation's life.
The Story
Joshua tells the people to sanctify themselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders. The ark of the covenant goes before them. When the priests that bear the ark step into the brim of the water, the waters stand up.
All the Israelites pass over on dry ground until the whole nation is clean passed over Jordan. The miraculous path confirms that God is among them and will drive out the nations of the land.
Twelve men take twelve stones from the midst of Jordan for a memorial at Gilgal. Joshua tells Israel that when children ask what the stones mean, they shall say the Lord dried up Jordan as He did the Red Sea.
Meaning and Importance
As the priests' feet rest in the Jordan, the waters are cut off. All Israel passes over on dry ground. Twelve stones are set up as a memorial so future generations will know the hand of the Lord is mighty.
Crossing the Jordan teaches that God opens the way into promise. Leadership, holiness, and remembrance belong together. Memorial stones keep deliverance from becoming forgetfulness.
Biblical Art Connected to This Story
Key KJV Verses
Joshua 3:5
“And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
Read Joshua 3Joshua 3:13
“And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.”
Read Joshua 3Joshua 3:17
“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.”
Read Joshua 3Joshua 4:6
“That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?”
Read Joshua 4Joshua 4:7
“Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.”
Read Joshua 4What This Story Teaches
- God goes before His people into new obedience.
- Miracles call for lasting remembrance.
- The living God still acts as He did at the sea.
Questions about Crossing the Jordan
Where is the crossing of the Jordan in the Bible?
Israel crosses the Jordan in Joshua 3 and 4.
Why were memorial stones set up?
So future generations would ask and hear that the Lord dried up the Jordan waters.
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