3:1-6 Joshua may have moved the nation from Shittim to the Jordan's edge at approximately the same time he sent the spies on their mission (cf. vv. 1-2 and 1:11; 2:22). However the sequence of events was probably as it appears in the text.48
"Duty often calls us to take one step without knowing how we shall take the next; but if brought thus far by the leadings of Providence, and while engaged in his service, we may safely leave the event to him."49
God continued to lead His people by means of the ark. Whereas in the wilderness the cloudy pillar over the ark was the focus of the Israelites' attention, now the ark itself became the primary object of their interest. The writer mentioned the ark 17 times in chapters 3 and 4. It was the visible symbol that God Himself was leading His people into the land and against their enemies.
". . . the ark was carried in front of the people, not so much to show the road as to make a road by dividing the waters of the Jordan, and the people were to keep at a distance from it, that they might not lose sight of the ark, but keep their eyes fixed upon it, and know the road by looking at the ark of the covenant by which the road had been made, i.e., might know and observe how the Lord, through the medium of the ark, was leading them to Canaan by a way which they had never traversed before; i.e., by a miraculous way."50
Other frequently recurring words in chapters 3 and 4 are "cross"and "stand"used 22 and five times respectively. These words identify other emphases of the writer.
The people's self-consecration (v. 5) consisted of their turning their hearts to God and getting their attitudes and actions right with Him (cf. Matt. 3:2; 4:17). God had previously promised to do wonders (v. 5, awesome miracles) when they would enter the land (cf. Exod. 34:10). Undoubtedly the people had been looking forward to seeing these miracles in view of what their parents had told them and what some of them remembered about the plagues in Egypt.
3:7-13 The miraculous parting of the Jordan was only the beginning of a series of miracles that demonstrated to the Israelites that their God was indeed among them. He was active for them and working through Joshua to give them victory (v. 7).
This event bore many similarities to the crossing of the Red Sea (3:13; cf. Exod. 14). In contrast, Moses had divided the waters of the Red Sea with his rod. Joshua divided the waters of the Jordan with the ark that had become the divinely appointed symbol of God's presence since God gave the Mosaic Covenant (v. 8).
Evidently the pushing back of the waters of the Jordan was to be a sign to the Israelites that God would push back the Canaanites (v. 10). The title "the Lord of all the earth"occurs here (v. 11) first in Scripture indicating Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over this planet. Because He was "the Lord of all the earth"He could give Canaan to the Israelites.
3:14-17 The Israelites crossed the Jordan when the river was at its widest, deepest, and swiftest, in late April or early May. As the snow on Mt. Hermon melts and the rainy season ends, the Jordan rises to a depth of 10-12 feet and floods to a width of 300-360 feet at this point today. Normally it is only 150-180 feet wide here. However, in Joshua's day the river may only have been full up to its banks, as the Hebrew suggests. The people considered crossing the river at this time of year by swimming a heroic feat in ancient times (cf. 1 Chron. 12:15). This is probably how the spies crossed.
The town of Adam (v. 16) stood about 18 miles north of Jericho near where the Jabbok River empties into the Jordan Valley.
Two million Israelites could have crossed the river in half a day if the procession was a mile or more wide. The dry ground (v. 17) was a miracle too (cf. Exod. 14:21).
The major emphasis in chapter 3 is on the great miracle that God performed to lead the Israelites into the land. The conquest of the land would continue God's works for His people all of which they were to remember and appreciate.
"The people of God [i.e., Israel] must realize that God does not help them automatically. God helps them when they obey his commands given through his leader."51
