Joshua 4:10 - Meaning and Application

The inspired writer seems so pleased with this event that he lingers over it. He is especially careful to show how closely Joshua followed God’s commands, doing nothing except by divine direction and finishing all that the Lord had told him to do (v. 10). This is also described as what Moses commanded, though we do not read of any special order Moses gave Joshua for this exact task. The meaning is that Moses had given him general guidance to follow God’s direction, pass on to the people what he received from the Lord, and use every opportunity to remind them of their duty to God.

What Moses had told him before, though Moses was now dead, was still fresh in Joshua’s mind, and he acted on it. That is a good lesson for us. It is wise to have sound instruction ready to use when we need it. We should store up good teaching now, so we can remember it when the time comes.

The people hurried across the river, v. 10. Some think this refers to the twelve men who carried the stones, but it seems more likely to mean the whole nation. They had already been told that they crossed over, but this detail is repeated to show that they did so in haste. Perhaps Joshua, through the officers, told them to move quickly, since it was only one day’s work and they must leave nothing behind. Or perhaps they hurried on their own.

Some hurried because they did not trust God fully. They feared the waters might return on them, because they were aware of guilt and doubtful of God’s power and goodness. Others hurried because they did not want to test God by keeping the miracle going longer than needed, and they did not want to place too much strain on the priests who carried the ark, the sacred chest that symbolized God’s presence. Others hurried because they were eager to reach Canaan, the promised land, and wanted to show how deeply they longed for it. Even those who thought least about it still hurried because others did. The one who believes does not rush ahead of God’s plans, but he does move quickly to obey them (Isaiah 28:16).

The two and a half tribes led the way, Jos 4:12, Jos 4:13. They had promised this when they received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan (Numbers 32:27), and Joshua had recently reminded them of that promise (Joshua 1:12-15). It was fitting that those who had settled first should be first in meeting the hard work and danger. This was especially true because they did not have families traveling with them like the other tribes did. They were chosen men, ready for war, and fully armed. God’s providence gave them as a strong advance guard, which would encourage the rest. They had no reason to complain, because the place of danger is also a place of honor.

After all the people had crossed safely, the priests carrying the ark came up out of the Jordan. One might think they would have left on their own, since there was no longer any need for them there. Yet they did not move until Joshua told them to, and Joshua did not tell them to come up until God directed him to do so (Jos 4:15-17). They were careful to obey Joshua, and he was careful to obey God. That was their honor, and it was also their blessing, because they were under such wise guidance.

No matter how low a condition God may bring his priests or people into, they should wait patiently until his providence calls them out of it. They should not grow weary while they still have the signs of God’s presence with them, even in the depth of trouble. The ark of the covenant was still there with the priests, and that was reason enough to wait.

As soon as the priests and the ark came up out of Jordan, the river flowed again and returned to its normal course, v. 18. This shows even more clearly that the stopping of the river was not caused by any hidden natural reason. It happened only by the power of God’s presence and for the sake of Israel. When Israel’s task was finished and the sign of God’s presence was removed, the water immediately went back to its usual flow. If we ask, “What happened to you, O Jordan, that you turned back?” the answer is that it was by the command of the God of Israel and in kindness to his people. There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, and happy is Israel, the people who belong to him.

Some have drawn a lesson from this: when the ark and the priests who carried it are removed from a place, the floodgates are opened. Its defense is gone, and judgment may soon come. Those who lose the church’s presence and shelter will soon be undone. The glory has departed when the ark is taken away.

Joshua’s honor is also noted in this event (v. 14). On that day the Lord greatly honored Joshua, both by letting him share close fellowship with himself, speaking to him whenever needed and allowing him to seek guidance from him, and by confirming his authority over both priests and people. Those who honor God, he will honor. When he chooses to exalt someone, as he had promised to exalt Joshua (Joshua 3:7), he does it fully and effectively.

Joshua was not honored only for his own sake, but so he could serve Israel even better. After this, the people respected him as they had respected Moses. This shows the best way to earn the respect of others. It is not by harsh words, threats, or acting proud and forceful. It is by holiness, love, and clear concern for both people’s good and God’s honor. People are rightly held in awe when it is clear that God is with them and that they keep him before them. Those who are made holy are truly honored, and they are worthy of double respect. Those favored by heaven should be regarded with reverence.

The time of this great event is also recorded (v. 19). It happened on the tenth day of the first month, exactly forty years, minus five days, after Israel came out of Egypt. God had said in his anger that they would wander for forty years in the wilderness. To make up that full forty years, we must count the first year, which was already past and had been a year of joy because they were delivered from Egypt, and also this last year, which was likewise a year of triumph on the other side of Jordan. So not all those forty years were years of sorrow.

In the end, God brought them into Canaan five days before the forty years were completed. This shows how little pleasure God takes in punishing, how quickly he is ready to show mercy, and that for the sake of the chosen, the days of trouble are shortened (Matthew 24:22).

God ordered things so that they entered Canaan four days before the yearly Passover feast, and on the very day when preparations for it were to begin (Exodus 12:3). He wanted their entrance into Canaan to be honored and set apart by that holy feast. He also wanted them, at that time, to remember their rescue from Egypt. By comparing those two great acts, they could see God as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, of all their happiness.