Conquest Begins

Joshua leads Israel to the edge of the Jordan River. He tells them to get ready. They wash. They wait. Officers walk through the camp with orders. "When you see the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant, follow it. But keep far back. Do not come close."

The Jordan is flooding. Water rushes fast and deep, brown with mud. The priests carry the Ark of the Covenant to the edge. They step in. The moment their feet touch the water, it stops! The river piles up far away upstream. The muddy bottom dries out under their feet!

The priests stand still in the middle of the dry riverbed. They hold the Ark of the Covenant high above them. All of Israel walks past. Thousands and thousands of men, women, and children. They cross on dry ground. Every last one makes it to the other side.

Josh 3:1