The Crossing of the Jordan
Artist: Hans Jordaens III (Flemish, ca. 1595 ā 1643)
Date: 17th century
Medium: Oil on oak panel
Collection: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
The Crossing of the River Jordan
The Israelitesā crossing of theĀ Jordan RiverĀ on dry land was of tremendous significance to the Israelites.Ā JoshuaĀ explained the significance of this eventĀ beforeĀ it took place, stating, āThis is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. See, theĀ ark of the covenantĀ of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lordāthe Lord of all the earthāset foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heapā (Joshua 3:10ā13). Their miraculous crossing affirmed Godās presence with them and His promise to remove their enemies from the land.
Why did the Israelites build a memorial? Joshua said, āWhen your children ask you, āWhat do these stones mean?ā tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel foreverā (Joshua 4:6ā7). The memorial was to serve as a lasting sign of Godās work among the Israelites.
The conclusion of this event offers an additional insight into its significance and the reason for the memorial.Ā Joshua 4:23ā24Ā says, āThe Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.ā First, a comparison is made with the crossing that took place at the Red Sea under the leadership of Moses. This emphasis on Godās miraculous provision was an ongoing sign to the people of Israel.
Second, there was an emphasis on the power of God. The miracle was done āso that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful.ā No other god could compare in power. The gods of Israelās enemies were created things that had no ability to move water and provide dry passage across a river.
Third, the result of the miracle was that the Israelites would fear the Lord forever. The idea was that this miracle would leave the people in such awe that they and their descendants would talk about it and live in theĀ fear of GodĀ and worship Him as a result.
God showed His power and presence in the crossing of the Jordan, and the memorial set up by His people served as a reminder of His might and why the Israelites should fear the Lord. Both the act and its memorial worked to point to Godās glory, presence, and strength, which would empower the Israelites as they took possession of their land in the days ahead. Still today, a look at this powerful miracle reveals the greatness of God, and our only appropriate responseāto worship and serve Him.
