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Patriarchs and Prophets
The spies returned in safety with the tidings, “Truly the Lord hath
delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of
the country do faint because of us.” It had been declared to them in
Jericho, “We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red
Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the
two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon
and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard
these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more
courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, He is
God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”
Orders were now issued to make ready for an advance. The people
were to prepare a three days’ supply of food, and the army was to be
put in readiness for battle. All heartily acquiesced in the plans of their
leader and assured him of their confidence and support: “All that thou
commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will
go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we
hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as He was with
Moses.”
Leaving their encampment in the acacia groves of Shittim, the host
descended to the border of the Jordan. All knew, however, that without
divine aid they could not hope to make the passage. At this time of
the year—in the spring season—the melting snows of the mountains
had so raised the Jordan that the river overflowed its banks, making
it impossible to cross at the usual fording places. God willed that the
passage of Israel over Jordan should be miraculous. Joshua, by divine
direction, commanded the people to sanctify themselves; they must
put away their sins and free themselves from all outward impurity;
“for tomorrow,” he said, “the Lord will do wonders among you.” The
“ark of the covenant” was to lead the way before the host. When
they should see the token of Jehovah’s presence, borne by the priests,
remove from its place in the center of the camp, and advance toward
the river, then they were to remove from their place, “and go after it.”
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The circumstances of the passage were minutely foretold; and said
Joshua, “Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and
that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites....
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth
over before you into Jordan.”