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Joshua 3:13
And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan,that the waters of Jordan shall be cut offfrom the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

Psalm 24:1
A Psalm of David. The earthis the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Isaiah 54:5
For thy Makeris thine husband; the LORD of hostsis his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

passeth

Joshua 3:3-6
And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it…

Isaiah 3:12
As for my people, childrenare their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee causethee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

the ark of the covenant
The Ark of the Covenant is a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It symbolizes God's presence and covenant with Israel. The Ark's presence signifies divine guidance and assurance of God's promises. It is central to Israel's worship and a tangible representation of God's holiness and leadership.

of the Lord of all the earth
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over all creation, not just Israel. It highlights His universal authority and power, reinforcing that the miraculous crossing of the Jordan is an act of the Creator. This title for God underscores His dominion and the fulfillment of His promises to His people.

will go ahead of you
The Ark leading the way signifies God's leadership and protection. It reassures the Israelites that God is with them, guiding them into the Promised Land. This mirrors the pillar of cloud and fire that led them through the wilderness, showing continuity in God's guidance.

into the Jordan.
The Jordan River represents a significant geographical and spiritual boundary. Crossing it marks the transition from the wilderness into the Promised Land. The river's parting is reminiscent of the Red Sea crossing, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. This event prefigures baptism, symbolizing death to the old life and entry into a new life in Christ.

The verse opens with a call to pay attention. “Behold” is Scripture’s way of saying, “Look carefully—God is about to act.”

• Similar wake-up words appear inIsaiah 7:14 andJohn 1:29, marking moments when the Lord reveals His saving plan.

• Here, the command invites Israel to shift their focus from the swollen Jordan (Joshua 3:15) to the God who commands it.

• By pausing to behold, the people prepare their hearts, just as Moses told them to “stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD” at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13).

The ark was the tangible sign of God’s presence, built according toExodus 25:10-22.

• Inside were the stone tablets, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff (Hebrews 9:4), reminders of God’s law, provision, and authority.

• Whenever the ark moved, Israel recognized the LORD Himself was moving (Numbers 10:33-36).

• After years in the wilderness, seeing the ark advance meant God was personally leading them into a new chapter.

The title underscores God’s universal rule.

•Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.”

• Joshua’s generation needed this reminder: the Canaanite gods might claim the land, but the LORD owns every acre (1 Chronicles 29:11).

•Acts 17:24 later echoes this truth to the Gentiles—He is sovereign everywhere, not just in Israel.

God does not send His people into danger alone; He leads the way.

• Moses had promised, “The LORD Himself will go before you” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

• Shepherd imagery inJohn 10:4 pictures Jesus going before His sheep, calling them by name.

• For Israel, priests would carry the ark first (Joshua 3:6), illustrating that faith often requires stepping out before seeing results (Hebrews 11:1).

The swollen river was an impossible barrier in flood season (Joshua 3:15), yet God chose that moment to display His power.

• As soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, it “stood up in a heap” (Joshua 3:13) just like the Red Sea (Psalm 114:3).

• The crossing marked a transition from wandering to inheriting—parallel to our passage from death to life in Christ (Colossians 1:13-14).

• Stones taken from the riverbed became a memorial (Joshua 4:6-7) so future generations would remember the miracle.

Joshua 3:11 reassures God’s people that the God who owns the whole earth personally leads them, makes a way where none exists, and invites them to watch His power at work. The ark’s advance into the Jordan proclaims that when the Lord goes first, obstacles become pathways and promises become reality.