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The Instructions for Crossing
v. 1. And Joshua rose early in the morning, on the fourth day after his great proclamation, Jos_1:11. And they removed from Shittim, where their headquarters had been situated, and came to Jordan, a matter of about two hours' journey, during which they observed the usual order of march, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over, they rested for some time, probably during the noon-hour.
v. 2. And it came to pass after three days, those named in the order of Joshua, Jos_1:11, that the officers, the officials in charge of the mustering, went through the host, during this pause in the day's march;
v. 3. and they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, your God, Exo_25:10-22, and the priests, the Levites, the priests of the sons of Levi who were charged with this work, bearing it, at the head of the army, as it seems to have been done once before, Num_10:33, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it, in the orderly array commanded by God.
v. 4. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure (three thousand feet). Come not near unto it, they were to observe this respectful distance, lest their vanguard hide the Ark of the Covenant from the great number of the marchers, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore. It was not that the people were in danger of losing their way to the river, but that the Lord wanted them to note the miracle by which He opened the way to Canaan before their eyes.
v. 5. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves; after establishing camp for the night they were to engage in spiritual purification, typified also by the washing of their clothes and of their bodies, thus turning their hearts to God, in faith and trust in His promise, and in willing obedience to His commands, that they might rightly take to heart the miracle of grace which the Lord would perform among them the next day; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. The passage of Jordan took place on the tenth of Nisan, Jos_4:19.
v. 6. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the Ark of the Covenant and pass over before the people. This was the special work of the sons of Kohath, Num_4:15, and the order referred to the actual time of marching. and they took up the Ark of the Covenant and went before the people, this statement either anticipating the actual event, or having reference to the fact that the priests took up their station at the head of the army, ready for the march of the next day.
v. 7. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, for the miraculous crossing of Jordan was only the first of a series of wonders by which the Lord placed His people in possession of the Land of Promise and confirmed Joshua in his position as leader of the people, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. Cf Jos_1:2-9.
v. 8. And thou shalt command the priests that bear the Ark of the Covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, the eastern bank or slope of the river, as it descended to the bed of the stream, ye shall stand still in Jordan, thus forming, as it were, a dam to hold back the waters rushing down from the north. The Ark of the Covenant here appears as the emblem of God's almighty presence. To this day God has bound His children to the use of certain means of grace, the Word and the Sacraments. Where these are administered, there the true, living God is present, there we find evidences of God's power and mercy, of His protection and blessing.