#joshua 3

[tomicscomics]

01/09/2026

Happy (almost) Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!

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JOKE-OGRAPHY:

In this Bible story (Matthew 3), we meet John the Baptist, a wild prophet who's overtly modelled after the Old Testament prophet, Elijah. He acts as a forerunner to Jesus, preaching and baptizing repentant followers in the Jordan River as they await the Messiah.

In this cartoon, a curious pharisee asks John why he chose the Jordan River as his place of teaching and baptizing. John gives three reasons. This is a framing device for a more Biblically educational cartoon. John did not actually explain his reasoning to pharisees. He was too busy calling them names (Matthew 3:7). Also, the symbolism probably would've been plain to any faithful first-century Jew.

In this cartoon, John's first two reasons speak to parallels and patterns in the Biblical story which call back to the exodus and to the prophet Elijah. I learned about this from the ever-enlightening Brant Pitre in his video on the Mass readings for the upcoming Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. He covers these and even MORE fascinating parallels in a deep but digestible way, so check it out if you love God and His quirky sense of poetry throughout the Bible.

Again, the first two reasons for John's choice of location are very spiritually meaningful. In contrast, his third reason -- "It's got lots of water." -- comes off as comically mundane and practical. Among carefully engineered test groups, this juxtaposition was found objectively hilarious. What right do you have to question that conclusion?

[nach-yomish]

Day 3: Joshua 3 // יהושע ג

(Link to full text on Sefaria)

Joshua - Chapter 3 - Nach Yomi - OU Torah

The nation camped by the Jordan River in anticipation of crossing into the Holy Land. The people were instructed to follow the Aron (Ark), w

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My comments from the first time around:

I think the part of today's lecture that really grabbed me was the debate over where the Kohanim actually stood during the miracle of the Yardein. Were they right on the shore on the eastern side, or were they practically in eretz Yisrael? Admittedly, I hadn't thought about this detail overmuch when I was reading it, but it definitely gives off a different vibe and colors the meaning of the miracle depending on where exactly they stood. I think for my part, I got focused on visualizing the stones that are mentioned in the next perek to the point where I wasn't picturing what it would look like while they had just stepped over and the water was piling up.

I don't think I've seen any Jewish art depicting this, and it's not a miracle that I've really heard discussed before. I think it's very interesting that it echoes - but does not eclipse - the splitting of the Sea of Reeds. Perhaps this is why, then - it is overshadowed by its predecessor during the time of Moshe Rabbeinu.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Entering the Promised Land

1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.

7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This 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. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. — Joshua 3 | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 14:3; Exodus 14:21-22; Exodus 15:8; Exodus 19:10-11; Exodus 33:2; Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 31:9; Numbers 33:51; Joshua 2:1; Joshua 4:2; Joshua 4:7; Joshua 4:14; Joshua 7:13; Joshua 24:11; 1 Samuel 6:15; 2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Kings 8:3; 2 Kings 2:6; 1 Chronicles 12:15; 2 Chronicles 5:4; Job 41:11; Acts 7:44-45; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by James Russell Miller

Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3)

Before crossing the river, Joshua sent spies to enter Jericho secretly and learn all they could learn about the city. The Divine promise that Jericho would fall into the hands of Joshua in a supernatural way did not make it unnecessary that due precautions should be taken by the commander, that he should learn all he could about the city. God always requires human diligence and faithfulness on the part of his people, when he would do great things for them. The result of the visit of the spies, made the Israelites braver and more confident. They learned from Rahab, that the inhabitants of Jericho were afraid of Joshua’s coming. They had heard what the Lord had done for the Israelites in other places, and their hearts had melted in fear. This information gave fresh confidence to the Israelites.

Before the people crossed the river, Joshua gave directions concerning their provisioning. For forty years, they had been fed with manna. The reason for this was that bread could not be procured in natural ways in the wilderness. No food supplies grew in that desolate region. Hence it was necessary that special provision should be made. Daily, all the forty years, the manna fell. But now they have come out of the wilderness, and it would be easy to get supplies of food in ordinary ways. God never works an unnecessary miracle. Joshua provides, therefore, for feeding the great multitude, before they cross the Jordan.

The day before they were to move, Joshua called the people to sanctify themselves. Tomorrow they were to cross the Jordan. God would open the way for them but they must be ready. If we would receive God’s blessings, we must prepare ourselves for receiving them. God is willing to work through us and to use us as His servants but we must be in condition to be used. To sanctify means to cleanse. God will not send His gifts to others, in unclean vessels. It was ceremonial cleansing which Joshua required.

With us the preparation should be in heart and life. Every morning as we set out for the day’s duties, we have promises of help and favor but these promises are dependent upon ourselves. We must be in proper frame of mind and heart, to receive the Divine blessing. We must be right with God.

We must have pure hearts and clean hands if we would work for God. When we go to God in prayer, we must be sincere. If while we pray, we are cherishing sins which are unconfessed and unrepented of we cannot hope that God will answer our requests. Jesus said, that if we bring our gifts to the altar and there remember that our brother has anything against us we must leave our gifts unoffered on the altar, and first go and be reconciled to our brother, and then come and offer our gifts. In one of the Psalms we are told that if we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us. No doubt the secret of many unanswered prayers might be found in sins cherished, or in bitter, unkindly feelings in the hearts of those who pray.

The ark was to be carried before the people as they crossed the river. The ark was a symbol of God’s presence, and the meaning of this act was that God Himself would lead them that day as they went through the Jordan into the promised land. God is always ready to go before us. Indeed, we never can go anywhere safely, wisely or victoriously, unless He leads us. To go without Him into life’s experiences, struggles, dangers or duties is to fail.

There is something very suggestive in what Joshua said, when he gave the people their instructions about crossing the river: “You have never been this way before.” Joshua 3:4. Therefore they must keep in sight of the ark, which would be carried in advance. The same may be said of every day’s experiences. We have not passed this way before. The path is new and strange. We have lived thousands of other days yet each new day presents an unknown path to us, a way over which we never have gone. We know not what new experiences it may bring to us. We may meet sorrows, sore temptations, sudden trials. It will have its own problems, its own perils, tasks we have never had to do before. It will bring us to face sudden surprises of duty, of struggle, of responsibility, for which we cannot at the moment make any preparation. The only safe thing to do is always to keep the ark in sight and to follow it implicitly in faith and obediently. Then whatever it is that comes we shall be ready for it.

One of the invariable marks of true Christians everywhere, is that they follow Christ. Christ’s sheep know His voice and follow Him, and He goes before them. Young people should learn in their earliest years, that Christ desires to be their Leader, and that every morning they may put their hand in His, for guidance for the day.

It is essential that we have God’s direction at every point in life. Joshua called the people to come to him and hear the words of the Lord before they crossed the river. He then assured them that they would have God’s presence with them. “Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you.” The miracle of the crossing would be a pledge of unfailing guidance and full and final victory in taking possession of the new land.

The crossing of the Jordan is a fitting type of the beginning of the Christian life. We hear the Divine call and go forward at God’s bidding and as we go He opens the way for us. We stand then on the edge of our land of promise. It is ours with all its riches and blessings, and yet it is held by enemies and must be won by our own valor and faith.

God promised Joshua and the people that He would not fail to drive out the Canaanites but it must be before them that is, through their courage and valor. God promises to give us the victory but we must do the fighting. He will bruise Satan for us but it must be under our feet. We sometimes say: “I never can conquer the giants of temptation which are in my path. I never can gain possession of the blessings and privileges which are offered to me.” This is very true if we have only our own strength. But God never intended that we should go against our enemies unhelped. He means to fight the battles for us. God would drive out the inhabitants of the country; so always it is God’s power which expels the enemy. The promise is that we shall be more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

But someone reads on in the story and learns that the people of Israel did not drive out all the inhabitants of the land, that many of them were left and for centuries plagued and troubled God’s people there. Yes but the fault was not God’s. The people made compromises with the old inhabitants and let them stay. They failed to make the thorough work of extermination they were commanded to make. They made compromises with the enemies of God. In many instances, fragments of the old Canaanite tribes were allowed to remain. These undestroyed Canaanites are types of the evils in our own hearts and in the world, which we are bidden to vanquish and utterly destroy but which we allow to remain. If we will go forward with strong faith, making no compromise, not one enemy shall be able to stand before us. The trouble is, however, that too often we are willing to let certain pet sins stay, thinking we can live with them. But in the end we shall find that all evils which are tolerated, will become troubles to us and will mar the beauty and comfort of our Christian lives.

The manner of the opening of the river for the people of Israel to cross over is suggestive. The promise was that when the soles of the feet of the priests should rest in the waters, that the waters should be cut off. The river was not to be opened while the people were yet in their camps, or even when they had come down to the banks of the river. They were to walk by faith, not by sight. The priests must take up the ark and bring it down to the river’s edge, even stepping into the edge of the flowing stream, before the way would be opened. The people, too, must break camp, pack up their goods, form in line to march, and move down to the very banks, before the river would be opened. This required strong faith. If they had come down near to the edge of the river, and then had stopped for the stream to divide before they would step into it they would have waited in vain. They must take one step into the water before the river would be cut off.

We should not lose the lesson that is here taught. We must learn to take God at His Word and go straight on in duty, although we can see no way in which we can go forward. The reason we are balked by difficulties, is that we expect to see them removed before we try to pass through them, while the promise is that they will melt away only as we advance. If we would move straight on in faith, as if there were no hindrances, the path would be opened for us. We fail in overcoming difficulties many times, because of our lack of faith. We stand still, waiting for the obstacle to be removed, when we ought to go forward, knowing that God will remove every barrier in the right way and at the right moment.

For example, death. People often tremble with fear when they think of dying. The truth is, however, that when the Christian moves quietly forward with faith, without fear there is no river to be crossed. Some people are anxious because they do not have what they call dying grace. They read of certain Christians who have passed through the experiences of dying, triumphantly. They say: “I could not do that. I have not grace enough to meet death in that way. I fear I shall fail in the hour of trial.” But why should they have grace for dying when death yet lies far on in advance? There was no occasion to work the miracle of Jordan for the Israelites, when they were still staying quietly in their camp. We do not need dying grace for today’s active life but rather grace for duty, for battle, for perseverance, for holy living. Then when we come to the door of death we shall receive the grace we need for the dying hour!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Crossing the Jordan

1 Early one morning Joshua and all the Israelites started out from Shittim. They went down to the Jordan River. They camped there before they went across it. 2 After three days the officers went all through the camp. 3 They gave orders to the people. They said, “Watch for the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. The priests, who are Levites, will be carrying it. When you see it, you must move out from where you are and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go. You have never gone this way before. But don’t go near the ark. Stay about 1,000 yards away from it.”

5 Joshua said to the people, “Set yourselves apart to the Lord. Tomorrow he’ll do amazing things among you.”

6 Joshua said to the priests, “Go and get the ark of the covenant. Walk on ahead of the people.” So they went and got it. Then they walked on ahead of them.

7 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to honor you in the eyes of all the Israelites. Then they will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. 8 Speak to the priests who carry the ark of the covenant. Tell them, ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan River, go into the water and stand there.’ ”

9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here. Listen to what the Lord your God is saying. 10 You will soon know that the living God is among you. He will certainly drive out the people now living in the land. He’ll do it to make room for you. He’ll drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 The ark will go into the Jordan River ahead of you. It’s the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth. 12 Choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel. Choose one from each tribe. 13 The priests will carry the ark of the Lord. He’s the Lord of the whole earth. As soon as the priests step into the Jordan, it will stop flowing. The water that’s coming down the river will pile up in one place. That’s how you will know that the living God is among you.”

14 So the people took their tents down. They prepared to go across the Jordan River. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 The water of the Jordan was going over its banks. It always does that at the time the crops are being gathered. The priests came to the river. Their feet touched the water’s edge. 16 Right away the water coming down the river stopped flowing. It piled up far away at a town called Adam near Zarethan. The water flowing down to the Dead Sea was completely cut off. So the people went across the Jordan River opposite Jericho. 17 The priests carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. They stopped in the middle of the river and stood on dry ground. They stayed there until the whole nation of Israel had gone across on dry ground. — Joshua 3 | New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 14:3; Exodus 14:21-22; Exodus 15:8; Exodus 19:10-11; Exodus 33:2; Numbers 33:51; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 31:9; Joshua 1:11; Joshua 2:1; Joshua 4:1-2; Joshua 4:7; Joshua 4:14; Joshua 4:22; Joshua 7:13; Joshua 24:11; 1 Samuel 6:15; 1 Kings 8:3; 2 Kings 2:6; 1 Chronicles 12:15; 2 Chronicles 5:4; Job 41:11; Jeremiah 12:5; Micah 6:5; Acts 7:44-45; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Entering the Promised Land

1 Early the next morning Joshua and all the people of Israel left Acacia. They traveled to the Jordan River and camped there before crossing it. 2 After three days the officers went through the camp. 3 They gave orders to the people. They said, “You will see the priests and Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant with the Lord your God. Then you should leave where you are and follow it. 4 That way you will know which way to go. You have never traveled this way before. But do not follow too closely. Stay about a thousand yards behind the Ark of the Covenant.”

5 Then Joshua told the people, “Make yourselves holy for the Lord. Tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take the Ark of the Covenant. Cross over the river ahead of the people.” So the priests lifted the Ark of the Covenant and carried it ahead of the people.

7 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great man to all the Israelites. So the people will know I am with you just as I was with Moses. 8 The priests will carry the Ark of the Covenant. Tell them this: ‘Go to the edge of the Jordan River and stand in the water.’”

9 Then Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here. Listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 Here is proof that the living God is with you. Here is proof that he will drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and the Jebusites. 11 This is the proof: The Ark of the Covenant will go ahead of you into the Jordan River. It is the Agreement with the Lord of the whole world. 12 Now choose 12 men from among you. Choose 1 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. 13 The priests will carry the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, the Master of the whole world. They will carry it into the Jordan ahead of you. When they enter the water, the river will stop flowing. The water will be stopped. It will stand up in a heap as if a dam were there.”

14 So the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant. And the people left the place where they had camped. Then they started across the Jordan River. 15 During harvest the Jordan is flooded. So the river was at its fullest. The priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant came to the edge of the river. And they stepped into the water. 16 Just at that moment, the water stopped flowing. It stood up in a heap a great distance away at Adam. This is a town near Zarethan. The water flowing down to the Sea of Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed the river near Jericho. 17 The ground there became dry. The priests carried the Ark of the Covenant with the Lord to the middle of the river and stopped. They waited there while all the people of Israel walked across. They crossed the Jordan River on dry land. — Joshua 3 | International Children’s Bible (ICB) The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a division of Thomas Nelson. Cross References: Genesis 14:3; Exodus 14:21-22; Exodus 15:8; Exodus 19:10-11; Exodus 33:2; Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 31:9; Numbers 33:51; Joshua 2:1; Joshua 4:2; Joshua 4:7; Joshua 4:14; Joshua 7:13; Joshua 24:11; 1 Samuel 6:15; 2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Kings 8:3; 2 Kings 2:6; 1 Chronicles 12:15; 2 Chronicles 5:4; Job 41:11; Acts 7:44-45; 1 Thessalonians 1:9

[one-bible-chapter-a-day]

Joshua 3

Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 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. 4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits[a] in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” 5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

7 The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” 9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth[b] is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”

14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Footnotes a. Joshua 3:4 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters b. Joshua 3:11 Hebrew 'the ark of the covenant, the Lord of all the earth'

[jeffersonvann]

Joshua 3

Joshua 3      Joshua 3:1 Joshua started early the following day and left the Acacia Grove with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan and stayed there before crossing. Joshua 3:2 After three days, the officers went through the camp Joshua 3:3 commanding the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahveh your God carried by the Levitical priests, you are to break camp and…

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