14 So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people , 15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan , and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows e all its banks all the days of harvest ), 16 the waters which were flowing down from above e stood and rose up in one heap , a great distance away at Adam , the city that is beside e Zarethan ; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah , the Salt Sea , were completely cut off . So the people crossed opposite Jericho . 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground , until e all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 3:14-17
Commentary on Joshua 3:14-17
(Read Joshua 3:14-17)
Jordan overflowed all its banks. This magnified the power of God, and his kindness to Israel. Although those who oppose the salvation of God's people have all advantages, yet God can and will conquer. This passage over Jordan, as an entrance to Canaan, after their long, weary wanderings in the wilderness, shadowed out the believer's passage through death to heaven, after he has finished his wanderings in this sinful world. Jesus, typified by the ark, hath gone before, and he crossed the river when it most flooded the country around. Let us treasure up experiences of His faithful and tender care, that they may help our faith and hope in the last conflict.