Joshua 3:3
and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The command to "go after it" isn't just about following; it highlights that the ark, representing God's presence, is now the active leader, taking the place of the pillar of cloud that guided them in the wilderness. This signifies a new phase where God is directly leading them into an unknown land, and their faith is tested by following this divine banner.
The Israelites have just arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, poised to enter the Promised Land after decades in the wilderness. Joshua is preparing them for this momentous crossing, instructing them that the signal to move will be seeing the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, leading the way. This event marks a profound shift from the days of Moses, where the pillar of cloud guided them, to a new era of leadership under Joshua, with the Ark now taking the forefront as their divine guide.
For forty years, a cloud of glory guided Israel. Now, with Moses gone and a new leader, the signal has changed. What does this shift tell us about God's faithfulness and how He leads?
The Cloud vs. The Ark
For decades, the pillar of cloud and fire was Israel's constant guide. It dictated when to move, when to stay, and how to travel through the wilderness. But with Moses' death and Joshua stepping up, God introduces a new, visible sign of His presence: the Ark of the Covenant.
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The Ark was the most sacred object, representing God's very presence. Yet, the priests carried it, and the people were told to follow it. What does this say about how we are meant to relate to God's presence and His appointed leaders?
Following the Sacred, Trusting the Sender
This passage highlights a delicate balance between reverence for God's presence and obedience to His commands through His appointed leaders.
Understand the original words
'arown briyth Yhwh · Hebrew Noun phrase
The sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing the visible throne and presence of God among His people. It served as the focal point of God's covenantal relationship with Israel.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The self-revealed, covenant-keeping God of Israel. The personal name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and eternal, unchangeable nature.
Leviy kohen · Hebrew Noun phrase
Members of the tribe of Levi set apart by God for priestly service and the maintenance of the Tabernacle and its sacred articles. They mediated between God and the people through the sacrificial system.
This moment at the Jordan River was a pivotal transition. After Moses' death and the cessation of the visible pillar of cloud, the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence and covenant, became the new, visible guide, signifying God's direct leadership through Joshua into an unknown and challenging land.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, God miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt under Moses, initiating their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness, receiving God's Law and guidance through the cloud and fire, and the Ark of the Covenant.
c. 1406 BC
Death of Moses
Moses, the great leader and lawgiver, died before entering the Promised Land, leaving Joshua to succeed him. The pillar of cloud, which had guided them, ceased to appear.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Arrival at the Jordan River
Joshua led the Israelites to the banks of the Jordan River, which was at flood stage, marking the final obstacle before entering Canaan.
This passage highlights the divine guidance that led Israel through the wilderness, with the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, which preceded them. Joshua 3:3 shows a shift where the ark of the covenant, representing God's presence, becomes the visible guide, signaling a new phase of their journey.
Numbers 10:33-36This text describes the ark of the covenant leading the Israelite camp, emphasizing its role as the active symbol of God's presence and power in directing their journeys. Joshua 3:3 echoes this by commanding the people to follow the ark, reinforcing its central role in their movement and God's continued leadership.
Joshua 6:6-7Here, the ark of the covenant is again carried by priests, this time in the conquest of Jericho, illustrating its significance in extraordinary divine interventions. This parallels Joshua 3:3, where the ark's prominent role signifies an imminent, miraculous act of God to enable the Israelites to enter the Promised Land.
1 Samuel 4:3-4This passage shows the ark being carried into battle, but with a misplaced reliance by the people. Joshua 3:3 contrasts this by emphasizing obedience and sanctification before following the ark, highlighting the right way to engage with God's presence and power.
Psalm 114:1-8This psalm poetically recounts the parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, attributing the miracles to the presence of God. It directly reflects the events described in Joshua 3, showing how the very elements of nature responded to the 'presence of the God of Jacob' as symbolized by the ark.
calvinJoshua 3:1-13: "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."
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way heretofore.
Veruntamen interstitium erit inter vos et ipsam fere duorum milium cubitorum in mensura: ne appropinquetis e…
wesleyJoshua 3:3: "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."
3:3 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, Numb 4:1 - 15, yet the priests might perform that office, and did so upon some solemn occasions. Go after it - To…
The command to "go after it" isn't just about following; it highlights that the ark, representing God's presence, is now the active leader, taking the place of the pillar of cloud that guided them in the wilderness. This signifies a new phase where God is directly leading them into an unknown land, and their faith is tested by following this divine banner.
The Israelites have just arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, poised to enter the Promised Land after decades in the wilderness. Joshua is preparing them for this momentous crossing, instructing them that the signal to move will be seeing the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, leading the way. This event marks a profound shift from the days of Moses, where the pillar of cloud guided them, to a new era of leadership under Joshua, with the Ark now taking the forefront as their divine guide.
The Israelites have just arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, poised to enter the Promised Land after decades in the wilderness. Joshua is preparing them for this momentous crossing, instructing them that the signal to move will be seeing the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, leading the way. This event marks a profound shift from the days of Moses, where the pillar of cloud guided them, to a new era of leadership under Joshua, with the Ark now taking the forefront as their divine guide.
"and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it." — The command to "go after it" isn't just about following; it highlights that the ark, representing God's presence, is now the active leader, taking the place of the pillar of cloud that guided them in…
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