Moses' passing on the summit of Mount Pisgah marked the conclusion of the forty years of Israelite wandering. Although he had not been permitted to enter Canaan, Moses had been shown from afar the land originally promised to Abraham's descendants. Joshua, who had been trained to succeed Moses, was now placed in full command by God, who added: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage" (Josh. 1:5, 6).
Quickly responsive to this challenge, Joshua proclaimed that within three days the Israelites must be prepared to cross the Jordan and claim their inheritance (see Josh. 1:11). Doubtless recalling that he himself had been one of the spies originally sent forth to survey the land of Canaan when the people had first approached it many years before, he now sent forth two men to investigate the situation in Jericho, the first large city within Canaan. There they encountered Rahab, a woman described by Josephus as an innkeeper, who provided not only lodging but also encouragement and protection, reporting that the men of her city, having learned of the successes of the Israelites and of the support afforded them by their God, were virtually paralyzed because of fear and could do little to resist the attack planned by Joshua. Assuring Rahab that she and her family would be protected as a reward for her cooperation, the spies returned to report the success of their mission (see Josh. 2).
Thus encouraged, Joshua took immediate steps to plan the crossing of the Jordan. This passage was clearly viewed not merely as a military stratagem, associated with the conquest of the land, but also as a religious act. The people were to sanctify themselves (see Josh. 3:5) and were to be led by their priests, who would reverently bear "the ark of the covenant of the Lord" (verse 11), symbolic of God's presence and personal leadership. Moreover, when this maneuver commenced and the feet of the leading priests touched the water, there was virtually a repetition of the experience which had encouraged the Israelites some forty years before when they had passed dry-shod through the Red Sea (see Ex. 14: 29) .
