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The People Walked on Dry Ground
“So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 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.”
- Josh. 3:14-17
So it’s time for God to begin fulfilling a major promise to His people from the days of Abram (Gen. 15:18). Once they cross the Jordan River, they will enter into the land they are to conquer as God leads them. They are no longer to be wandering, living in tents. They are going to have a home provided by God.
Crossing the Jordan is not a small task. Even during the dry season, my understanding is that it would not be easy or even possible for the people to cross with their children and all their belongings. The text suggests that the river would have been very high this time of year anyway. To fix this problem, God made it possible for them to cross by parting the waters of the Jordan. The section that was parted might have been several miles long, plenty of space for all the people to cross easily. This was accomplished by the priests standing at the edge of the water while carrying the ark. Just like when He parted the Red Sea, the ground was dry so they could actually walk across it. The priests stood there until all the people passed to the other side, and then the waters began flowing again (Josh. 4:18).
Without stretching any applications too far, I see some lessons for us in this story:
- God provides a way for His people to enter the land that is promised. The ultimate fulfillment of the land promise is one that we look toward as well (Heb. 11:13-16). We have a “land” that is not physical, but a spiritual dwelling place for all eternity.
- Priests are people that God uses to lead others the right direction. 1 Peter 2 describes Christians as being part of a priesthood of God making spiritual sacrifices. In some ways we are to be guiding others in the path God desires for us. In some ways, people will only make it to the other side if God’s servants (priests) show the way.
- The ark represented the presence of God. As long as it was with Israel, they were safe. Even other nations understood this and viewed Israel as powerful with the ark. We do not have the ark, but God’s presence is still here. We have His word, Church and Spirit. Matthew 1:22-23 also says that Jesus was/is “God with us.” While Jesus was on the earth, God was with the people and as we conform ourselves to the image of Jesus, although we fall short, we are showing God to others.
- The path to the promised land is made easier thanks to God. Not only is the path clear, but it is walkable by anyone. While things in this life make our “walk” difficult at times, God provides a way for us to keep walking just like they walked on dry ground.
I want to cross this life into heaven just like the people crossed the Jordan into their land of rest. If you do too, God provides a way, tools to make it easier and people to lead the way. God will be with us and we can walk on dry ground. Maybe you find yourself leading others across. Be like the priests in Joshua 3 & 4 and be patient as they walk. Keep standing steady so they can make it to the other side.
