Joshua 3

Notes

[Ver. 1. Came to Jordan. The snows that cover Hermon are the real sources of the river Jordan. It has two historical sources:—one at the base of a rounded hill in the midst of a marshy plain. On the hill once stood the border city of Dan. The other is four miles eastward, on a terrace on the southern declivity of Hermon, beside the ruins of Banias or Cæsarea-Philippi. The highest perennial source of the Jordan is not named in history; it is in the bottom of a valley at the western base of Hermon, near the town of Hasbeiya, and 12 miles north of Dan. About 5 miles south of Dan the three unite, and after a course of 6 miles more the Jordan expands into the Lake Merom, and in about 28 miles farther it enters the Lake or Sea of Gennesareth or Tiberias. From this lake it pursues its course, still southerly, through a dreary valley till it empties itself into the Dead Sea. The whole course, computing the windings of the stream, is about 160 miles. Travellers differ greatly as to its width; but from the average it may be estimated at about 90 feet. That it formerly overflowed its banks the Scriptures assert, ver. 15; 1 Ch. 12. 15; this some travellers deny. No rational man can doubt the Scripture statement, and recent researches prove it to be strictly accurate. That it rises an average of about 9 feet, by the melting of the snow upon Lebanon and Hermon, is agreed upon all hands. This passage took place in April, when the river is broadest and deepest; a fact so far important as it stultifies the infidel conjecture of some German neologists, who pretend that a rock having fallen stopped the stream, and that Joshua, taking advantage of the circumstance, affirmed that it was a miracle, and so encouraged the people to follow. Surely these are the men who, 'counting themselves wise, become fools!' C. and P.]

Ver. 15. [Hebrew: 'For the Jordan was full up to all its banks all the days of harvest:' This clause is explanatory of the statement that the priests dipped their feet in the brim of the river. Under ordinary circumstances this would be impossible, for the real channel of the river has perpendicular banks from 6 to 8 feet deep, always swept by the torrent. In early spring, however—the time of harvest in the valley of Jericho—the river rises over these banks and floods the flat bottom of the narrow ravine through which the channel flows. The priests bearing the ark could, without any danger, dip their feet in the water which overflowed the banks. The opening of a passage through the river at such a season was the greater miracle. Had it been late in the summer it might have been thought that natural causes operated; but in harvest—the time of the overflow—the finger of God must have been manifest to all. P.]

Reflections.—Let us always press forward in the way of our duty, notwithstanding foreseen difficulties attending it. And when we have done our utmost, the Lord can step in and clear our passage. Let us follow his word as our guide, and our way will be right. But let us always set Jesus, the Ark of the covenant, before us, by faith depend on him, and with due reverence follow his example; and if we cannot get rid of faults, let us detest them. Let ministers go before others, as he-goats before the flock; and though they should be more exposed than others, that Christ, whose name they bear in their ministrations, shall be their protection; for God highly honours those that honour him; and those who are comforted and encouraged of God should encourage and strengthen their brethren. In the moment of difficulty the Lord will be seen. The greatness of the difficulty shall but the more magnify the power of God in overcoming it. And Christ will be the protection of his people in trouble or death, till they be all clean passed over into Canaan above. If then I expect a noted appearance of God for my relief, let me make solemn preparation for it, separating myself from every sinful lust and carnal care. Always seeking the honour which cometh from above, let me improve God's present manifestations of power and love as pledges of more, nay, of eternal and immediate enjoyment of him. Let no occasional advantage, gained by the opposition made to my happiness, or to the church of God, dismay me; for the Lord sits King upon the floods, and is mightier than the noise of many waters.