How quickly after the spies returned did Joshua prepare to go to the Jordan River? Who came with him?
How long did they camp by the river?
Who was to bear the ark of the covenant? What were the people supposed to do when they saw the ark?
How much space were they supposed to leave between the ark and themselves? Why?
What were the people supposed to do to prepare for the Lord’s wonders that He was going to do for them?
What did the Lord say he was going to do for Joshua? Why?
What did the Lord say to command the priests who were carrying the ark?
What was the purpose of the miracles they were about to see?
What was going to happen when the priests stepped into the water?
Where did the waters stand still?
How did all the people get across the Jordan River?

Thought Questions

Did Joshua waste any time in claiming God’s promises for His people? After 40 years of tarrying in the desert, how did he know the time was right to move so quickly? Have you had an experience where you have known that it’s time to move? Or have delayed your response to God’s call?
Why was there to be a space between the people and the ark? How do you treat holy things? Why are holy things holy?
What was in the Ark of the Covenant that made it holy? Are the same things holy for us today?
What are some things that you think the Israelites were to do to sanctify themselves? See also Exodus 19:14-15. Is sanctification primarily an external thing (washing, etc.) or involving our hearts and minds? What would you do if you wanted to sanctify yourself?
When God exalts a ruler, is it for his own sake or for the sake of the people? In verse 7, who was really being glorified?
Why did God recreate the same miracle for the Israelites at the Jordan as He did at the Red Sea? Was it only a way to get the people across the river, or did it have any other meaning?

My prayer is:
That I would listen to God’s call to move forward and claim His promises, and act on them, at the appropriate time;
That I would follow holy things, such as God’s Law which was in the Ark, and keep them holy;
And that I would sanctify myself in the presence of holy things at holy times.