Think how the Jordan River plays a figurative significance in so many of the songs we sing. It was the official entry into the Promised Land. It is interesting to note that the name “Joshua” means “Yahweh (God) is salvation.” The Greek name for “Joshua” is “Jesus” and it means “God rescues”, “God saves”, “God delivers”.

Moses led the people across the Red Sea and now Joshua was leading them across the Jordan. God told Joshua that when He helped the people cross the river, Joshua would be exalted in the nation’s sight the people would know that God was with Joshua just as he had been with Moses. He simply leads the people in obeying the Lord’s commands. This time, Joshua does not ask for reports or opinions. Forty years earlier the people had listened to the words of ten spies so they were not allowed to enter the land ( Numbers 13). Joshua commanded the people to listen to the words of the Lord ( Joshua 3:9) because the next morning God was going to do wonders among them. The people of Israel were preparing to cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. To help the Israelites remember all that He had done for them, the Lord had them pile twelve large stones from the middle of the Jordan, one on top of the other, to make a memorial. Food was abundant in the new land so the manna and quail that God had provided stopped. As soon as the priests stepped onto the new bank, the water in the Jordan River began flowing again. When everyone had finished crossing over, the priests followed. While the priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed, Joshua instructed all of the people to walk through to the other side. Even though the river was at flood stage, it immediately stopped flowing.

He told the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant and begin walking into the Jordan. Joshua followed the Lord’s special instructions. ”Īfter forty years of wandering in the desert, it was time to cross over the Jordan River and take the land that God had promised. Memory Verse: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Suggested Emphasis: We should remember the things the Lord does for us.

Crossing the jordan river bible verse