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The people decamp from Shittim, and are directed to follow the
ark, and sanctify themselves, ver. 1 - 5.
The priests are ordered to go first, ver. 6.
Joshua being encouraged and directed as God, tells the people what
God is about to do, ver. 7 - 13.
Jordan is divided, and Israel marches through, ver. 14 - 17
1: In the morning - Not after the return of the spies, but after the
three days, (Jos 1:11), as it follows, ver. (Jos 3:2).
Lodge there - That night, that they might go over in the day time, that
the miracle might be more evident and unquestionable, and strike the
greater terror into their enemies.
2: After three days - Either at the end of them, or upon the last of
them. Through the host - The second time to give them more particular
directions, as they had given them a general notice, (Jos 1:10,11).
3: Commanded the people - In Joshua's name, and by his authority.
Priests and Levites - Who were not only Levites, but priests also.
For altho' the Levites were to carry the ark, (Nu 4:1-15), yet the
priests might perform that office, and did so upon some solemn occasions.
Go after it - Towards Jordan, to go over it in such a manner as I am
about to describe. 'Till this time the ark went in the middle of the cloudy
pillar, now it goes in the front. Probably the pillar of fire and cloud was
still hovering over the ark.
4: Two thousand cubits - A thousand yards, at which distance from it
the Israelites seem to have been encamped in the wilderness. And because
they generally went from their tents to the ark to worship God, especially
on the sabbath - days; hence it hath been conceived, that a sabbath - day's
journey reached only to two thousand cubits. But that may be doubted; for
those who encamped nearest the ark, were at that distance from it, and came
so far; but the rest were farther from it, and their sabbath - day's journey
was considerably longer. Near unto it - Partly from the respect they
should bear to the ark; but chiefly, that the ark marching so far before you
into the river, and standing still there 'till you pass over, may give you
the greater assurance of your safe passage. Ye have not passed this way
heretofore - While we are here, we must expect unusual events, to pathways
that we have not passed before: and much more when we go hence, when we pass
thro' the valley of the shadow of death. But if we have the assurance of
God's presence, what have we to fear?
5: And Joshua said - Or rather, had said, the day before their
passage; for it follows, to - morrow. Sanctify yourselves - Both in soul
and body, that you may be meet to receive such a favour, and with more
reverence observe this great work, and fix it in your hearts.
6: Take up - Namely, upon your shoulders; for so they were to
carry it, (Nu 7:9).
Before the people - Not in the middle of them, as you used to do.
7: Magnify thee - That is, to gain thee authority among them, as the
person whom I have set in Moses's stead, and by whom I will conduct them
to the possession of the promised land.
8: The brink - Heb. to the extremity, so far as the river then
spread itself, which was now more than ordinary, (Jos 3:15).
In Jordan - Within the waters of Jordan, in the first entrance into
the river; Where they stood for a season, 'till the river was divided, and
then they went into the midst of it, and there abode 'till all the people
were passed over.
9: Come hither - To the ark or tabernacle, the place of public
assemblies. The Lord your God - Who is now about to give a proof that he
is both the Lord, the omnipotent governor of heaven and earth, and all
creatures; and your God, in covenant with you, having a tender care and
affection for you.
10: Ye shall know - By experience and sensible evidence.
The living God - Not a dull, dead, senseless God, such as the gods of the
nations are; but a God of life, and power, and activity to watch over you,
and work for you. Among you - Is present with you to strengthen and help
you.
12: Twelve men - For the work described, (Jos 4:2,3).
13: The ark of the Lord - That so it may appear this is the Lord's
doing, and that in pursuance of his covenant made with Israel. Of all
the earth - The Lord of all this globe of earth and water, who therefore
can dispose of this river and the adjoining land as he pleaseth.
Cut off - The waters which now are united now shall be divided, and part
shall flow down the channel towards the dead sea, and the other part that is
nearer the spring of the river, and flows down from it, shall stand still.
An heap - Being as it were congealed, as the Red - Sea was, (Ex 15:8),
and so kept from overflowing the country.
15: All the time of harvest - This is meant not of wheat - harvest, but
of the barley - harvest, as is manifest from their keeping the passover at
their first entrance, (Jos 5:10), which was kept on the fourteenth day
of the first month, when they were to bring a sheaf of their first - fruits,
which were of barley. So that this harvest in those hot countries fell very
early in the spring, when rivers used to swell most; partly because of the
rains which have fallen all the winter, partly because of the snows which
melt and come into the rivers. And this time God chose that the miracle
might be more glorious, more amazing and terrible to the Canaanites; and
that the Israelites might be entertained at their first entrance with
plentiful and comfortable provisions.
16: Adam - The city Adam being more obscure, is described by its
nearness to a more known place, then eminent, but now unknown. The meaning
is, that the waters were stopped in their course at that place, and so kept
at a distance from the Israelites whilst they passed over.
Against Jericho - Here God carried them over, because this part was,
- The strongest, as having in its neighbourhood an eminent city, a potent
king, and a stout and war - like people.
- The most pleasant and fruitful, and therefore more convenient both for
the refreshment of the Israelites after their long and tedious marches,
and for their encouragement.
17: Stood firm - That is, in one and the same place and posture;
their feet neither moved by any waters moving in upon them, nor sinking into
any mire, which one might think was at the bottom of the river. And this
may be opposed to their standing on the bank of the water when they came
to it, commanded, (Jos 3:8), which was but for a while, 'till the waters
were divided and gone away; and then they were to go farther, even into
the midst of Jordan, where they are to stand constantly and
fixedly, as this Hebrew word signifies, until all were passed over.
The midst of Jordan - In the middle and deepest part of the river.
