The Bible Says Commentary on Joshua 3

Joshua 3 describes how the Israelites cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. Under Joshua’s command, the people leave their camp at Shittim and come to the Jordan River, where they stay for three days. While there, the officers instruct them to follow the Levitical priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the second set of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod which budded almond blossoms, as well as a bowl of manna. The lid of the Ark is also called “The Mercy Seat” and was where God told Moses He would meet with him.

"There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat."
(Exodus 25:22)

Joshua also urges the people to sanctify themselves to experience God’s wonder and asks the priests to march ahead of the people. The LORD miraculously stops the upstream waters and cuts off the downstream, allowing the priests to stand still in the river until all His covenant people cross it on dry ground. The chapter’s outline is as follows:

1. The Israelites leave the camp at Shittim and stay by the Jordan River for three days. On the third day, the officers tell them to follow the ark of the covenant carried by the Levitical priests from 914 meters away (vv. 1-4).
   
   
2. Joshua instructs the Israelites to sanctify themselves to experience the miracle. He also asks the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant and march ahead of the people toward the Promised Land (vv. 5-6).
   
   
3. The LORD promises to magnify Joshua through the miracle of crossing the Jordan River and gives him instructions for the priests. Joshua then urges the Israelites to hear God’s words to ascertain that He will be with them as they prepare to cross the Jordan River (vv. 7-13).
   
   
4. The Israelites begin crossing the Jordan River. The LORD stops the upstream waters and cuts off the downstream, allowing the Levitical priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant to stand still in the Jordan River on dry ground until the entire nation finishes crossing it (vv. 14-17).