The Israelites were still encamped on the east side of Jordan, which presented the first barrier to the occupation of Canaan. "Arise," had been the first message of God to Joshua, "go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them." No instruction was given as to the way in which they were to make the passage. Joshua knew, however, that whatever God should command, He would make a way for His people to perform, and in this faith the intrepid leader at once began his arrangements for an advance.

Israelitterne havde stadig deres lejr på østsiden af Jordan. Floden var den første hindring, før de kunne indtage Kanaan. Guds første befaling til Josua lød således: "Bryd nu op tillige med hele dette folk og gå over Jordan derhenne til det land, jeg vil give dem, israelitterne." Der blev ikke givet nogen anvisning på, hvorledes de skulle komme over floden; men Josua vidste, at Gud ville give sit folk mulighed for at gøre alt, hvad han befalede, og i tillid hertil begyndte den uforfærdede leder straks at træffe forberedelser til at rykke fremad.