Joshua 3:1-8

Joshua was up bright and early the next morning. They broke camp, and Joshua led the Israelites from Acacia to the eastern bank of the Jordan. There they set up camp and waited until they crossed over. After three days, the leaders of the people went throughout the camp giving orders to the people, “Watch for the priests of the tribe of Levi to lift the ark of the covenant of YAHWEH your God. When it starts moving, follow it so you’ll know which way to go, since you’ve never marched this way before. Follow about a half mile behind the ark; don’t go near it.” Joshua instructed the people, “Get yourselves ready! Set yourselves apart for YAHWEH! Tomorrow, YAHWEH will perform for us great miracles!” Joshua told the priests, “Raise up the ark of the covenant and step out ahead of the people.” So they lifted the ark onto their shoulders and marched in front of the people. YAHWEH said to Joshua, “This very day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel so that they will realize that I am with you in the same way I was with Moses. You are to command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant with these words: ‘Carry the ark to the edge of the Jordan and wade into the water.’ ”