Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 4:15

"And Jehovah spake unto Joshua, saying," — Joshua 4:15 (ASV)

The priests' passage to the farther bank has already been mentioned (Joshua 4:11). However, in keeping with his general plan (compare the introductory remarks to Joshua 3), the writer reintroduces it here as the leading feature in the concluding section of his account. As before, this includes a mention of God’s special direction concerning it.

The statement that the waters of the Jordan immediately returned to their former level upon the removal of the ark (Joshua 4:18) heightens the impression especially emphasized throughout—namely, that the entire transaction was extraordinary and miraculous.

The details and incidents of this passage are undoubtedly open to various discussions. However, all such discussion will be futile unless it proceeds from the admission that we have before us the record of a distinctly supernatural interposition (compare the introduction to the Book of Joshua).