The Overall Structure
Communications and action. A series of communication took place among the LORD God, Joshua, officers, priests, and the people. Then, the whole Israel marched forward to cross the Jordan River on a dry ground.
Content Summary
Joshua rose early in the morning and all the Israelites moved from Shittim to the east side of the Jordan River. Then a series of communication took place. First, officers told the people that the priests carrying the ark of the covenant would be leading, and people would follow it no closer than 2,000 cubits. Second, Joshua spoke to the people and the priest. To the people, Joshua commanded them to consecrate themselves. To the priests, Joshua told them to take up the ark. Third, the LORD spoke to Joshua that he would be exalted and provided more specific instructions on what he would need to do when crossing the Jordan. Fourth, Joshua spoke to all the people, reminding them of the LORD’s promise to dispossess all the nations and the land of Canaan, and the LORD will lead them by wonder.
After the end of this series of communications, Joshua led the Israelites to cross the Jordan.
Officers to the people (v2-4)
The chapter begins with the communication between the officers and the people. The most important content of the communication was the role of the ark of the LORD, carried by priests, in the crossing of the Jordan River. The rest of the Israelites would follow the ark of the covenant from a distance when crossing the Jordan River.
What is the symbolic meaning of the ark of the covenant leading the march? The ark of the covenant is a rectangular structure covered with gold, and inside the ark were three items: the law of Moses, jar of manna, and Aaron’s budded staff. Based on the content of the ark of the covenant, I would classify its significance in two terms: 1) grace; 2) clash.
First, grace. Aaron’s budded staff represented God’s grace of sparing the Israeites despite their deliberately rebellious actions and attitudes. Back in Number 16 and 17, Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Mose and Aaron, and other tribes joined the revolt despite seeing the sign of God. When the LORD was about to wipe out the whole community, Moses and Aaron interceded before the LORD not to destroy them. The LORD showed a supernatural sign of sprouted, blossomed bud on Aaron’s staff to serve as a warning to the rebels. Despite the rebellious attitude, the LORD was leading the Israelites personally into the land of Canaan.
Second, clash. What kind of clash? The LORD is often described as the LORD of hosts – in other words, the LORD of heavenly army. Well, in this case, I would like to point out the clash of “ideas and institutions” between the Law of Moses and the Law of Canaan. This would be too deep of a topic to address in this paragraph, let me try to make this brief. The Law of Moses from Exodus to Deuteronomy outlined a whole institutional arrangement laid out by God, including worshiping the only true God and setting up political and economical institutions that would be pivoted on the concept of “loving your neighbor as yourself.” On the other hand, the law of Canaan was likely to be based on worshiping the false gods and idols, resulting in political and economic institutions that allow a small minority to rule over and extract from the vast majority of people. The ark of the covenant, which contained the Law of Moses, was invading the rules and institutions of the Canaan. Therefore, I termed this as “clash.”
Joshua to the people (v5-6)
Joshua told people to consecrate themselves. What was the significance of this command? Consecrating involved some external actions such as washing clothes and oneselves (Exodus 19:10-11). However, back in Exodus when the LORD was about to lead the Israelites to experience the passover (Exodus 13:2), the consecration activity was to mainly signify that the Israelites belonged to the LORD. Consecration was to remind them of their identity in the LORD. They belonged to the LORD. It was essential for the Israelites to be cognizant of their identity in the LORD God before conquering the new land of Canaan.
My question for all the readers: How do you identify yourself?
The LORD to Joshua (v7-8)
The LORD provided a more detailed description for Joshua what to tell the priest. This command again signified the importance of the role of the ark of the covenant carried by the priest. In addition, the LORD assured that Joshua would be exalted in the sight of all Israel.
Joshua to all the people (v9-13)
Empowered by a direct injection from God, Joshua reminded the Israelites of the promise that the LORD made to their ancestors. The LORD reminded of this promise to Joshua back in Chapter 1 (Joshua 1: 4-5). Joshua knew that the LORD would do wonder by having His presence in the waters of the Jordan. Joshua’s words to the people must have boosted the morale of the Israelites.
End of the Communication and Action (v14-17)
Finally, the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan.
Try to imagine crossing the Jordan River as one of the Israelites who was following the ark of the covenant 2,000 cubits (about half a mile) behind. The road to Shittim to the Jordan River was likely downhill, which allowed most of the Israelites to witness the parting of the Jordan River even though they were far away. When the priests dipped their feet in the Jordan River, the parting began and the rest of the Israelites were witnessing this amazing scene of parting of the Jordan River and the appearance of the dry ground. What a scene! It would have been natural for the people to be in awe of the LORD.
Conclusion and Application
Communication must be followed by action. In the end, this chapter would be useless without the actual crossing of the Jordan River no matter how intimate conversations among the LORD, Joshua, and the Israelites.
Are you afraid of taking action? Be comforted that the LORD God personally led the Israelite despite their sins in the past. I pray that you would experience this victorious marching forward everyday with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Give Life 