Preparations for Crossing the Jordan
"Early the next morning, Joshua moved with all the Israelites from Shittim to the Jordan, where they lodged before crossing over. Three days later the officers went through the camp and issued these instructions to the people: 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord, your God, which the levitical priests will carry, you must also break camp and follow it, that you may know the way to take, for you have not gone over this road before. But let there be a space of two thousand cubits between you and the ark. Do not come nearer to it.'
Joshua also said to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform wonders amoung you.' And he directed the priests to take up the ark of the covenant and go on ahead of the people; and they did so. Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I shall begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know I am with you, as I was with Moses. Now command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant to come to a halt in the Jordan when they reach the edge of the waters.'"