Joshua - Chapter 3

1. Does the verb "to awaken early" resonate in terms of the Five Books of Moses and, if so, with what personality (or personalities)?

Avraham and Yitzchak arose early to fulfill the command Avraham received from God to sacrifice his son. Joshua was just as eager to fulfill God’s command, as his forefathers were to fulfill theirs.

2. The terminology in verse 3 mentions "the ark of God's covenant." Is there some reason why it is not referred to as the "ark of the Ten Statements"?

Tradition has it that the arc contained not only the 2 tablets of the 10 Commandments, but also the crushed remains of the first tablets (which Moses smashed upon seeing the Golden Calf). Also, some teach that it also contained the original 5 books of Moses, the ones that Moses wrote as G-d dictated. In any case, the arc clearly represents much more than a carrying case. The Arc was a symbol of the covenant between God and Israel. They say that the Cherubs on the arc would face each other when the relationship between God and Israel was good, and turn away when the relationship needed work.

3. Why is a distance mandated between the Ark and those who would follow it (save for the kohanim)?

???

4. In verse 5 the Hebrew term is "hitkadashu" usually rendered as "make yourself holy." How does one make oneself "holy"? Or does the term have some other implication -- perhaps in terms of "uniqueness" or "readiness" -- especially in this context?

This verse can certainly be read as “Make yourself ready” – since they are about to go to war – readiness would seem to be advisable. But, the conquest is really not a military war, it’s a holy war; not in the negative sense that we use the term today, but it is a war commanded by Gad and where God is acting as the General. Being ready for this type of war certainly requires one to be holy. Ritually purifying yourself could certainly be seen as part of the preparations.

5. Where does Divinity speak to Joshua in verse 7? And, does this verse indicate a parity in significance between Mosheh and Joshua?

This is an interesting verse; God says that he will begin to exalt Joshua in the eyes of the people. But you would think he would already be exalted. Perhaps up to this point, people gave Joshua respect because Moses told them to. Joshua was like the moon and Moses the sun – the moon shines brightly, but it’s light is just a refection of the sun’s. Here, God is saying that from this point on, Joshua will radiate his own light, and people will exalt him for his own merits, not because Moses told them to.

6. What does verse 13 call to mind in terms of an earlier event involving "bodies of water?

There are certainly parallels between this verse and the parting of the Sea of Reeds, with one important difference. The parting of the Sea of Reeds happened before the people steped into the water, and here we’re told that the river will part once the “soles of the Kohanim” enter the water. Here Israel has confidence to enter the water before it’s parted, with full faith that God will part it.

Favourate Quote : "This day I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, that they may know that just as I was with Moses, so will I be with you." - verse 7