Joshua 4:10-11 – So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. (NKJV)
Can you picture this amazing moment in your mind? The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water and the water “piled up” upstream in such a way that the people could cross on dry ground. Then, the priests remained in the riverbed until all the people had crossed before coming up out of the riverbed. Only then did the waters flow back into place. Now, when you realize that perhaps as many as two million people crossed, you can’t help but be impressed by God’s amazing power. But there’s another element to see. God’s presence (symbolized by the Ark), entered the water first and remained until the end. You could say that God went before them and came up behind them. What a great picture of how God cares for His people. He moves ahead of them and stands behind them, fully encompassing them with His power and presence.
Can you picture this amazing moment in your mind? The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water and the water “piled up” upstream in such a way that the people could cross on dry ground. Then, the priests remained in the riverbed until all the people had crossed before coming up out of the riverbed. Only then did the waters flow back into place. Now, when you realize that perhaps as many as two million people crossed, you can’t help but be impressed by God’s amazing power. But there’s another element to see. God’s presence (symbolized by the Ark), entered the water first and remained until the end. You could say that God went before them and came up behind them. What a great picture of how God cares for His people. He moves ahead of them and stands behind them, fully encompassing them with His power and presence.
