Topical Bible: Priest: Duties of Through the Jordan River

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The role of the priest in the context of crossing the Jordan River is a significant event in the history of Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament. The priests, who were descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi, held a central role in the religious and communal life of Israel. Their duties extended beyond the tabernacle and temple services to include pivotal moments in Israel's journey to the Promised Land.

Crossing the Jordan River

The crossing of the Jordan River is a key event described in the Book of Joshua, where the priests played a crucial role. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua on how the crossing should be conducted. The priests were to carry the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's presence among His people.

Role of the Priests

1. Carrying the Ark of the Covenant: The priests were tasked with bearing the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders. This sacred duty underscored their role as mediators between God and the people. The Ark contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna, representing God's covenant and provision.

2. Leading the People: The priests were to lead the procession into the Jordan River. Joshua 3:6 states, "And Joshua said to the priests, 'Take up the Ark of the Covenant and cross over ahead of the people.' So they took up the Ark of the Covenant and went ahead of them." This leadership role highlighted the priests' responsibility to guide the nation in obedience to God's commands.

3. Standing in the Jordan: As the priests stepped into the Jordan River, the waters were miraculously halted. Joshua 3:15-16 describes this event: "Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the Ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a heap a great distance away." The priests stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the river until the entire nation had crossed over.

4. Symbol of God's Presence and Power: The presence of the priests with the Ark in the midst of the Jordan served as a powerful symbol of God's presence and His power to deliver His people. It was a visible reminder that it was not by human strength but by divine intervention that Israel would inherit the land promised to their forefathers.

5. Completion of the Crossing: Once all the Israelites had crossed, the priests were instructed to come up from the riverbed. Joshua 4:17-18 records, "So Joshua commanded the priests, 'Come up from the Jordan.' When the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant came up from the river, the soles of their feet touched the dry ground, and the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before."

The duties of the priests during the crossing of the Jordan River exemplify their role as leaders, mediators, and bearers of God's presence. Their obedience and faith were instrumental in the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, marking a new chapter in the nation's history as they entered the land of Canaan.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 3:1
And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
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Joshua 4:15-18
And the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying,
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Library

Daily Blessings for God's People
... difficult to understand when it comet to practical duties, and to ... Though I walk through
the valley ... any lawful calling may be to the Christian priest"(and all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/daily blessings for gods people.htm

A People Prepared for the Lord
... and urged them to perform the special duties which they ... to go first to draw the thread
through the material ... the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/a people prepared for the.htm

A Present Religion
... Fine doctrine that!" And he pats the priest on the ... it, that the major part of the
duties of religion ... make men go moping and melancholy all through this world. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a present religion.htm

The Woman of Samaria.
... they begged their monarch to send them an Israelitish priest, who would ... have gone
wrong and know no recovery, who go through their daily duties sad and ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/ix the woman of samaria.htm

"Alas for Us, if Thou Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth"
... He is a priest unto God, and shall he offer no ... of the world to come supplies us through
the Holy ... with force for the proper accomplishment of the duties of this ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/alas for us if thou.htm

The Charge to the Soldier of the Lord
... in possession is granted to us in and through Jesus Christ ... in which He sums up all
human duties in the ... and where the feet of our great High Priest, bearing the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the charge to the soldier.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... As we pass through the court of that house in Cana ... and in the discharge of
every-day duties, without even ... In the case of a priest's daughter the ordinary legal ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects.
... Cleopatra, [699]88. Clergy, [700]289; exempted by Constantine from political duties,
383. ... Eleazer, the high priest, [992]97. ... Euphrates river, [1053]100. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/the church history of eusebius.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... king and his son Auputi as high priest of Amon ... were accustomed almost every year
to pass through the region ... junction of the Yarmuk with the Jordan, they crossed ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Acts VIII
... imposes, and a pledge to all the duties of a ... forever to accept their grateful homage
through Christ. ... intercessors in heaven, besides "the high priest of our ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm