Theological Significance of the Ark Crossing Jordan
The crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites, led by the Ark of the Covenant, marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, signifying God's continued presence and power in bringing His people into the promised land. This event, detailed in the book of Joshua, underscores several theological themes, including divine leadership, the nature of the Ark, and the demonstration of faith.
The Ark of the Covenant itself was a sacred object, described as a chest made of acacia wood, overlaid entirely with gold, and surrounded by a crown of gold [3]. It was furnished with rings and staves for carrying [3]. Within the Ark were placed the tables of testimony (the Ten Commandments), and later, the pot of manna and Aaron's rod were laid up before it, and a copy of the law was placed in its side [3]. The mercy seat rested upon the Ark, and it was housed in the Holy of Holies within the tabernacle [3]. The Ark symbolized God's dwelling place among the Israelites and represented His throne [8]. Whenever Israel moved, priests carried the Ark before them [8].
The narrative in Joshua 3 describes the specific instructions given for the crossing. The priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, were to go before the people [2]. A significant detail was the command for a space of about two thousand cubits to be maintained between the people and the Ark [5]. This distance emphasized the Ark's sanctity and God's distinct presence. As the people prepared to cross, the Ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth was explicitly stated to be crossing over ahead of them into the Jordan [1].
The Jordan River, which formed the eastern boundary of Canaan, was known to overflow its banks, particularly during harvest season [4]. Joshua 3:15 notes that the Jordan "overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest." This detail highlights the miraculous nature of the crossing, as the river was at its fullest. The priests were instructed to carry the Ark directly into the water [6]. As their feet touched the water, the flow of the river was cut off, and the waters piled up in a heap far upstream, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground [7]. The priests bearing the Ark stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan until all the people had passed over [7].
This event served as a powerful demonstration of God's power and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Just as God had parted the Red Sea for the previous generation, He now parted the Jordan River, confirming His presence with Joshua as He had been with Moses. The act of the priests carrying the Ark into the river first, and standing in the water, demonstrated their faith and obedience [6]. This act of faith was crucial, as it preceded the miraculous division of the waters.
The theological significance extends beyond a mere display of power. The crossing of the Jordan marked the end of the wilderness wandering and the beginning of the conquest of the promised land. It was a transition point, symbolizing God's active role in fulfilling His promises to Israel. The Ark, as the symbol of God's presence, leading the way, underscored that the conquest was not by Israel's might but by divine intervention.
The event also served as a memorial. After the crossing, Joshua commanded twelve men, one from each tribe, to take stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests' feet had stood [7]. These stones were to be set up as a memorial, so that when future generations asked about their meaning, they could be told how the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord [7]. This act ensured that the memory of God's miraculous intervention would be passed down through generations, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
The narrative of the Jordan crossing, with the Ark at its center, emphasizes God's sovereignty over creation and His active involvement in the history of His people. It illustrates that God goes before His people, clearing the way and enabling them to overcome obstacles that would otherwise be insurmountable. The obedience of the priests in carrying the Ark into the swollen river, and the faith of the people in following, were integral to witnessing this divine act. This event solidified Joshua's leadership and reminded Israel of the God who had delivered them from Egypt and was now leading them into their inheritance.
Sources
- Joshua “Joshua 3:11 (LEB) — Look! The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is about to cross over ahead of you into the Jordan.”
- Joshua “When the people moved from their tents to pass over the Jordan, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant being before the people, -- Joshua 3:14”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ark of the Covenant — Dimensions, &c of -- Ex 25:10; 37:1. Entirely covered with gold -- Ex 25:11; 37:2. Surrounded with a crown of gold -- Ex 25:11. Furnished with rings and staves -- Ex 25:12-15; 37:3-5. Tables of testimony alone placed in -- Ex 25:16,21; 1Ki 8:9,21; 2Ch 5:10; Heb 9:4. Mercy-seat laid upon -- Ex 25:21; 26:34. Placed in the Holy of Holies -- Ex 26:33; 40:21; Heb 9:3,4. The pot of manna and Aaron's rod laid up before -- Heb 9:4; Ex 16:33,34; Nu 17:10. A copy of the law laid in the side of -- De 31:26. Anointed with sacred oil -- Ex 30:26. Covered wit”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Jordan, the River — Eastern boundary of Canaan -- Nu 34:12. Often overflowed -- Jos 3:15; 1Ch 12:15. Overflowing of, called the swelling of Jordan -- Jer 12:5; 49:19. Empties itself into the Dead Sea -- Nu 34:12. The plains of Thickly wooded. -- 2Ki 6:2. Exceeding fertile. -- Ge 13:10. Infested with lions. -- Jer 49:19; 50:44. Afforded clay for moulding brass, & c. -- 1Ki 7:46; 2Ch 4:17. Chosen by Lot for a residence. -- Ge 13:11. Fordable in some places -- Jos 2:7; Jdj 12:5,6. Ferry boats often used on -- 2Sa 19:18. Remarkable events connected with Division of its w”
- Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 3:4: Yet there shall be a space between you and it,.... The ark; the Keri or marginal reading is, "between you and them"; the priests that bear it: hence sprung a fiction among the Jews, that there were two arks, the ark of the Shechinah or divine Majesty, and the ark of Joseph, in which his bones were put, which went together (q); which Jarchi, Kimchi, and Abarbinel take notice of, but has no foundation in the text: about two thousand cubits by measure; by a certain well known measure, that of a common cubit; for the "caph" we render "about" is a note of truth, reality, ”
- Joshua (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joshua 3:8: 3:8 As they crossed the Jordan River, the Ark led the way until the feet of the priests entered the water; the priests were to stand in the Jordan, not on the dry land. By carrying the Ark into the water first, the obedient priests would show their faith (cp. Jas 2:18).”
- Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 3:17: And the priests that bare the ark of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan,.... Which for its breadth Mr. Maundrell, the above mentioned traveller, says (c) might be about twenty yards over, and its depth exceeded his height; but Dr. Shaw (d), a later traveller still, says,"the river Jordan is by far the most considerable river, excepting the Nile, either of the coast of Syria, or of Barbary. I computed it to be about thirty yards broad, but the depth I could not measure, except at the brink, where I found it to be three yards.''Now in the midst of ”
- Joshua (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joshua 3:3: 3:3 The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord was God’s dwelling place among the Israelites and symbolized his throne. Whenever Israel moved, a contingent of priests carried the Ark before them (Exod 25:13-15; Num 10:33-36).”