Israel crossed by following the Ark of the Covenant, which led them as the sign of God's presence and mercy.
Joshua 3:3 commanded the people to leave their place and go after the Ark of the Covenant when the Levitical priests carried it. Les Feldick teaches that this Ark, with the mercy seat and Shekinah glory, was the visible sign of God's presence and mercy leading Israel. The provided clips do not contain the specific details of the water being stopped or the priests standing in the river.
Joshua 3:3 — This verse gives the direct instruction for Israel to follow the Ark of the Covenant carried by the Levitical priests — the key command behind the crossing.
In Joshua 3:3, the Bible records the instruction to Israel: "And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it." The Ark of the Covenant was the object the people were commanded to follow. The transcript evidence provided does not include the later verses that describe the waters of the Jordan being stopped or the priests standing in the midst of the river.
Les points to the Ark of the Covenant as the sign of Israel's leadership. He reminds his readers that inside the Ark were the two tables of the Ten Commandments, a sample of the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. Over the Ark was the mercy seat, and the Shekinah glory rested above it in the Holy of Holies. This same Ark, he says, signified the very presence and mercy of God that would lead the children of Israel. Les also sets the scene geographically: Israel was on the east side of the Jordan River, with Jericho in plain view across the river, and Joshua had been designated by God to take over leadership.
Joshua 3:3 shows that the people were to go after the Ark of the Covenant when they saw the Levitical priests carrying it. Les explains that the Ark was the sign of Israel's leadership. Because the Shekinah glory rested above the mercy seat, the Ark signified the very presence of God and the very mercy of God going before them.
Les teaches that the Ark was the gold-overlaid box containing the tables of the Ten Commandments, a sample of the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. The mercy seat was above it, and the Shekinah glory rested over the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. This was the same Ark that was to lead the children of Israel into the land.
Les describes the setting of the book of Joshua: Israel was encamped on the east side of the Jordan River, which runs from the Sea of Galilee down to the Dead Sea. The city of Jericho was just west of the river, in plain view. Joshua had been designated by God to take over leadership after Moses.
The Ark as Israel's Leader
Les identifies the Ark of the Covenant as the sign of Israel's leadership and explains that the Ark, with the mercy seat and Shekinah glory, represented God's presence and mercy leading Israel.
Why God Led Israel the Long Way: The Red Sea & The Pillar of Fire
There are going to be populated areas along the Nile here, and coming in from the rear will be Pharaoh's army, his chariots. Now, I want you to get that pictured in your mind. The Red Sea is in front of them, forbidding mountains to the right, population to the left, and the armies are coming in behind. Verse 20. Well, now let's see, I skipped a couple of verses.
Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts
And it was based first upon a person, which was Moses in his case, and it was upon the blood, the Passover lamb in this case, and thirdly the word is hour. We're going to come to that in some future moment when the power of God is going to be exercised not so much now in all the plagues that have come on Egypt, but when Israel stands before the Red Sea and with no way out.
Setting and Leadership
Les describes the geography of the crossing — Israel east of the Jordan with Jericho in view — and confirms that Joshua was God's designated leader.
Water Baptism vs. Spirit Baptism: What Places You in the Body of Christ?
We appreciate them. Now in Exodus 14, as God has now opened the Red Sea by virtue of Moses stretching His rod over the waters, it's opened up, and they walk through on dry land, and now if you'll come in at verse 26 of chapter 14, and the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
What Does "Justified by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 5
How that the nation of Israel stood there on the shores of the Red Sea, the Egyptian army behind them, ready to destroy them, forbidding mountains to their right, and no possibility of going left. Here they are, they're locked in. They're without strength, and they knew not what to do.
Why God Led Israel the Long Way: The Red Sea & The Pillar of Fire
But He led them out through the wilderness of the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up harnessed. Now, what do you suppose that word's in there for? Harnessed. Well, stop and think. For three to seven million people to move completely out of one area of the nation, and to be encamped clear down here on the Red Sea, and ready to go through as the waters part, do you think that was a common e…
Water Baptism vs. Spirit Baptism: What Places You in the Body of Christ?
I rather doubt it, and if history is correct that Ramesses II was the pharaoh at this time, then he certainly wasn't, because they're quite sure that one of the mummified pharaohs that are still over there was indeed this same pharaoh. But whatever, the Scripture leaves us unaware as to whether or not Pharaoh himself was drowned, but none of the others were left. God had completely destroyed them.
Joshua 3:3: And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
This is the foundational command for the Jordan crossing: Israel was to follow the Ark of the Covenant as it was carried by the priests.
Yes. In Joshua 3:3, Israel was commanded to follow the Ark when the Levitical priests carried it. Les Feldick teaches that the Ark was the sign of Israel's leadership and that it represented the presence and mercy of God going before them.
Les Feldick explains that the Ark was a gold-overlaid box containing the tables of the Ten Commandments, a sampling of the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. Over it was the mercy seat, and the Shekinah glory rested above it in the Holy of Holies.
Les describes that Joshua had been designated by God to take over leadership from Moses. Israel was encamped on the east side of the Jordan, and Jericho was in view to the west.
Watch the Teaching: Crossing the Jordan on Dry Ground — What Most People Miss