At this point Joshua has led Israel to the brink of the Promise Land. He and the Hebrew people set out early in the morning from Shittim and camped at the Jordan River for three days before crossing it. Now, as the narrator points out the Jordan River “overflows all its banks” (Verse 15).

Considering this is the “time of harvest” (Verse 15) the time period is right around the grain harvest of March/April. Therefore, the waters are swollen likely due to spring rains in the region and snow melting from Mount Hermon. Therefore, the river is far more daunting than it’s typical 3-10 foot depth.

Therefore, the LORD says “when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth shall rest in the water of the Jordan, the water of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the water coming down from above shall stand in one heap” (Verse 13).

In this instance the Israelites are to bring the Ark of the Covenant with them over the Jordan River. And the LORD is saying once the soles (feet) of the priests who are carrying the ark get into the Jordan, the LORD is will cut off the flowing water. This signifies the presence of God being with the Israelites as they cross the Jordan.

“Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan” (Verse 17)

Some argue that the location of where the water began to “heap” (same term used when crossing the Red Sea) was located in Adam or modern day Damiya (East of the Jordan) where mudslides have been known to block up the Jordan completely from time to time. Which might have been the case here. However, it’s still important to see the supernatural powers of the LORD at work, seeing as if it happened after only when all the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were to step into the water and the presence of the LORD was present.

This act only further showcased the sovereign power of the LORD to Joshua and to the Israelite nation as they cross into the promise land for the first time (Joshua 3 is the first time the Israelites are called a “nation” (present tense) and not just a people.)

His Humbled Servant,

W.H. Carston