Israel camps beside the Jordan before entering Canaan. Officers move through the camp instructing the people to watch for the ark of the covenant and follow it, while keeping a respectful distance.

Joshua tells the people to consecrate themselves because God will do wonders among them.

The priests carrying the ark approach the river. The Jordan is overflowing its banks during this season.

As soon as the priests’ feet touch the water, the flow from upstream stops. The people cross opposite Jericho on dry ground while the priests stand in the middle of the river holding the ark.

One man from each tribe takes a stone from the riverbed. These twelve stones are carried to the place where Israel will camp.

After everyone has crossed, the priests come up from the Jordan. When their feet reach dry land, the river resumes its normal flow.

At Gilgal Joshua sets up the twelve stones. He explains that future children will ask what the stones mean.

The answer is to retell the crossing: Israel passed through the Jordan on dry ground, just as the previous generation crossed the Red Sea.

The memorial is intended to carry the event beyond those who witnessed it. The crossing is not only an entry into land but a story Israel is commanded to remember and teach.