The first step to entering the promised land was for Israel to cross the Jordan River—no easy task for a nation of over a million people. How would they do that? God would make a way. Remember when he parted the Red Sea? He also parted the Jordan River! Here’s what happened. The priests went first, carrying the ark of the covenant. This ark was not a big boat, but a small golden chest that was used in the tabernacle. Inside were two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, and two other reminders of God’s faithfulness: Aaron’s rod (used when they left Egypt) and a pot of manna (the daily bread from heaven that God provided in the wilderness). When the priests stepped into the Jordan River, the flow of water stopped and, all of a sudden, there was a clear path to walk. All of Israel crossed over on dry ground. What a miracle!

That wasn’t the only miracle! Because the second step to entering the promised land was to take over and destroy Jericho. This might have been harder than crossing the river with over a million people. You see, Jericho had these thick, tall city walls to protect them. How would Israel get past the mighty big walls? Dig under them? No, too hard. Jump over them? No, that’s impossible. Knock on the front door and asked to be let in? Don’t be silly. Who would let them in? God had a better plan, one of those crazy plans that works only because it’s God’s plan. “Tell the soldiers in Israel’s army to march around the city,” God told them. “Have seven priests hold seven trumpets as they walk in front of the ark of the covenant.” God continued, “Then, on the seventh day march around the city seven times, blow the trumpets, and have the people shout.” The people actually obeyed this crazy plan! They believed that God would fight their battle. Do you know what happened next? The big walls came tumbling down. Crash! Victory! Israel walked over the rubble. The city was conquered. Everyone was destroyed. Except Rahab (remember the scarlet cord?) and her family. God saved them because of Rahab’s faith.