What role did the priests play in the crossing of the Jordan River? The Moment Described in Joshua 4:18 “When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the middle of the Jordan and the soles of their feet stepped out onto dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.” Carrying the Ark: Their Divine Assignment • The priests bore the Ark of the Covenant—God’s earthly throne (Exodus 25:22). • God tied His powerful act to the Ark: “As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests… rest in the waters of the Jordan, its waters will be cut off” (Joshua 3:13). • Only consecrated priests could touch or carry the Ark (Numbers 4:15), underscoring the holiness of the moment. Stepping First into Floodwaters • Joshua 3:15 notes the Jordan was “at flood stage.” • The priests were commanded to go ahead of the people (Joshua 3:6). • Their obedient step of faith triggered the miracle: “The waters flowing downstream stood still” (Joshua 3:16). Standing in the Gap Until Everyone Was Safe • Joshua 3:17: “The priests… stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground.” • They remained motionless, holding the Ark, while an estimated two million Israelites passed—an act of physical endurance and spiritual intercession. • Joshua 4:10 highlights their patience: they waited “until everything the LORD had commanded Joshua was done.” Coming Up Last—Sealing the Miracle • Only after the people and the memorial stones had crossed did Joshua command the priests to step out (Joshua 4:17). • The instant their feet left the riverbed, the Jordan returned (Joshua 4:18). • Their exit marked the completion of God’s sign, authenticating Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 4:14). Echoes of Earlier Deliverance • Just as Moses stretched out his hand and the Red Sea parted (Exodus 14:21-22), the priests’ faith-filled act ushered Israel into the Promised Land. • The repeated pattern—leader obeys, water parts, people cross on dry ground—reinforces the reliability of God’s Word. Lessons Drawn from the Priestly Role • Obedient faith precedes visible miracles (Hebrews 11:29). • God often calls spiritual leaders to stand between danger and His people (1 Samuel 7:5-10). • When leaders walk in holiness, the way opens for the entire community to enter God’s promises (1 Peter 2:9). In the crossing of the Jordan, the priests functioned as God’s appointed carriers of His presence, the first to step into risk, the steadfast guardians in the midst, and the last to leave—securing a safe passage for all Israel and testifying to the power of the living God. |
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