Joshua 3:3

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it. In the way of duty, let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his early rising, as afterwards upon other occasions, which shows how little he sought his own ease. Those who would bring great things to pass, must rise early. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. All in public stations should always attend to the duty of their place. The people were to follow the ark. Thus must we walk after the rule of the word, and the direction of the Spirit, in everything; so shall peace be upon us as upon the Israel of God; but we must follow our ministers only as they follow Christ. All their way through the wilderness was an untrodden path, but most so this through Jordan. While we are here, we must expect and prepare to pass ways that we have not passed before; but in the path of duty we may proceed with boldness and cheerfulness. Whether we are called to suffer poverty, pain, labour, persecution, reproach, or death, we are following the Author and Finisher of our faith; nor can we set our feet in any dangerous or difficult spot, through our whole journey, but faith will there see the prints of the Redeemer's feet, who trod that very path to glory above, and bids us follow him, that where he is, we may be also. They were to sanctify themselves. Would we experience the effects of God's love and power, we must put away sin, and be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

3. The ark. Hitherto the pillar of cloud and fire had guided Israel on their way. Now it was to be seen no more. In their crossing of the Jordan the ark, which had formerly been carried in the midst of the camp (Num. 2:17), was to lead the way. It was the center of their religion and a symbol of God’s presence. Thus the Lord was with them still, though no longer in the pillar of cloud. The ark was the repository of His holy and immutable law. Above the ark was the mercy seat, reminding them of God’s mercy, patience, forgiveness, and grace. Thus early in their national experience God said to them, in effect, Let My character, My justice, and My mercy be your guide. Let the Ten Commandments, My standard of right, show you how to live, and My grace help you to obey it. As long as they would follow these principles they would be safe.

The priests the Levites. Or, “the Levitical priests” (RSV). Ordinarily the sons of Kohath bore the ark (Num. 4:15). The Jewish rabbis say that it was thus carried upon only three other occasionsâ€”when they marched around Jericho, when Zadok and Abiathar returned it to Jerusalem as David fled from Absalom (2 Sam. 15:29), and when it was brought into the Temple of Solomon. Here, at Jordan, the priests, representing Christ as our mediator and high priest, must go first and lead the way.

Go after it. Contrary to the usual custom (Num. 2:17), the ark was now to lead the way. Once before, upon their first removal from Mt. Sinai, it had gone before them for three days (Num. 10:33). Now another special occasion had arrived. To impress upon them the fact that it was God who gave them entrance to Canaan, and who would lead them in its conquest, His presence was to go before them. In a similar way He has promised to lead us. As Israel followed the ark, representative of divine justice and mercy, it is our privilege to follow on. At the end of the journey we will find “honour and immortality, eternal life” (Rom. 2:7, 8), and a ready welcome into the heavenly Canaan (Matt. 25:21, 34).

Was this helpful?

Cross References

When ye see

the priests