And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
After three days the officers went through the host in preparation to cross, while Israel under Joshua waited beside the Jordan at Abel-Shittim opposite Jericho before entering the promised land. When the officers went through they directed the people to follow the ark of the covenant when they saw it being carried by the priests. The ark went before Israel into the crossing.
The wait took place about 1451 B.C., in the same year Moses died, at the beginning of Joshua's leading of Israel, when the time was due to enter. The Jordan was at full flood-tide, widely overflowing its banks and surging as an apparently impassable stream close to hostile nations, which made God's power over nature more conspicuous. God divided the river and stopped and piled up its waters when the priests carrying the ark stepped into them, so Israel could cross and enter the land, a mighty act of the living God displaying His power.
The crossing belongs to Israel's reconsecration to God and in figure represented judgment, acquittal, consecration, and victory. The three-day waiting shows a strong, vigorous host with childlike trustfulness, submission, obedience, fearlessness, confidence, and readiness to attempt the passage, trusting the arm many times outstretched in their behalf. There was no utterance of impatience, no syllable of complaint, no expression of doubt about effecting the passage, and no word of dread or terror at facing many and mighty enemies, though the host was uneasy and anxious.
This state was far different from their fathers at Kadesh-Barnea on hearing the report of the ten faithless men sent by Moses to inspect the promised land. It was learned through forty years of guidance, defense, victory, and kept promises after the failures of the desert wandering. During those years they were continually reminded of that fateful stand while watching one after another of the murmuring generation return to dust without seeing the hills and plains, fruits and flowers, liberty and rest now in view across Jordan. During those years Jehovah guided them, defended them, kept His word with them in everything, and enabled them to vanquish mighty kings and gain extended territory with fenced cities, unwalled towns, cattle, money, jewels, and spoil.
The people had to be reminded that the law of God carried in the ark that went before them still governed them and must have first place, and when they followed as directed obstacles were removed. Israel's victories in the land were a pledge of the deliverance and victory God would have given them at every step if they had obeyed Him. The account is given not only to inspire wonder or curiosity but to teach lessons through which God's power can be experienced in daily life, holding a practical, priceless lesson for remnant Israel today to adapt to urgent needs for a richer, safer experience.
After three days the officers went through the host in preparation to cross, while Israel under Joshua waited beside the Jordan at Abel-Shittim opposite Jericho before entering the promised land. When the officers went through they directed the people to follow the ark of the covenant when they saw it being carried by the priests. The ark went before Israel into the crossing.
The wait took place about 1451 B.C., in the same year Moses died, at the beginning of Joshua's leading of Israel, when the time was due to enter. The Jordan was at full flood-tide, widely overflowing its banks and surging as an apparently impassable stream close to hostile nations, which made God's power over nature more conspicuous. God divided the river and stopped and piled up its waters when the priests carrying the ark stepped into them, so Israel could cross and enter the land, a mighty act of the living God displaying His power.
The crossing belongs to Israel's reconsecration to God and in figure represented judgment, acquittal, consecration, and victory. The three-day waiting shows a strong, vigorous host with childlike trustfulness, submission, obedience, fearlessness, confidence, and readiness to attempt the passage, trusting the arm many times outstretched in their behalf. There was no utterance of impatience, no syllable of complaint, no expression of doubt about effecting the passage, and no word of dread or terror at facing many and mighty enemies, though the host was uneasy and anxious.
This state was far different from their fathers at Kadesh-Barnea on hearing the report of the ten faithless men sent by Moses to inspect the promised land. It was learned through forty years of guidance, defense, victory, and kept promises after the failures of the desert wandering. During those years they were continually reminded of that fateful stand while watching one after another of the murmuring generation return to dust without seeing the hills and plains, fruits and flowers, liberty and rest now in view across Jordan. During those years Jehovah guided them, defended them, kept His word with them in everything, and enabled them to vanquish mighty kings and gain extended territory with fenced cities, unwalled towns, cattle, money, jewels, and spoil.
The people had to be reminded that the law of God carried in the ark that went before them still governed them and must have first place, and when they followed as directed obstacles were removed. Israel's victories in the land were a pledge of the deliverance and victory God would have given them at every step if they had obeyed Him. The account is given not only to inspire wonder or curiosity but to teach lessons through which God's power can be experienced in daily life, holding a practical, priceless lesson for remnant Israel today to adapt to urgent needs for a richer, safer experience.