Matthew Henry Commentary Joshua 3:1-6

"And Joshua rose up early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel; and they lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp; and they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow Jehovah will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people." — Joshua 3:1-6 (ASV)

The Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it. In the way of duty, let us proceed as far as we can and depend on the Lord. Joshua led them. Particular notice is taken of his early rising, as also on subsequent occasions, which shows how little he sought his own ease. Those who would accomplish great things must rise early.

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. All in public stations should always attend to the duty of their place. The people were to follow the ark. Thus we must walk according to the rule of the word and the direction of the Spirit in everything; so shall peace be upon us as upon the Israel of God. However, we must follow our ministers only as they follow Christ.

Their entire way through the wilderness was an untrodden path, but this was especially true of the path through Jordan. While we are here, we must expect and prepare to travel paths we have not traveled before; but in the path of duty, we may proceed with boldness and cheerfulness.

Whether we are called to suffer poverty, pain, labor, persecution, reproach, or death, we are following the Author and Finisher of our faith. Nor, during our entire journey, can we set our feet in any dangerous or difficult spot, but faith will see there the prints of the Redeemer's feet, who trod that very path to glory above, and invites us to follow Him, so that where He is, we also may be.

The Israelites were to sanctify themselves. If we would experience the effects of God's love and power, we must put away sin and be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.