Apologetics: Crossing Jordan Dryshod

        After the two spies were helped by Rahab to escape from Jericho, they returned to Joshua and reported, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands.” (Joshua 2:24) Early the next morning, the Israelites moved to the Jordan and camped there three days. On the fourth morning, Joshua had the priests carry the ark of the covenant and stand in the river. “As soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” (Joshua 3:13) 

        The author’s comment at this point is that “the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest,” (v.15) but the water from upstream did stop flowing. “It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan.” (v.16) As soon as all Israel had hurried over, Joshua called the priests up out of the river bed and “the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.” (v.18) 

        The period of the exodus is filled with miracles; some we may explain in a scientific sense, but many not. There is a geographical explanation in the drying up of Jordan but the geology and the perfect timing are entirely God’s doing. 

        Are there other passages of Scripture that bear on this event? Consider Psalm 114:3-7—the psalmist tells us that “the Jordan turned back, the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs…tremble, O earth…” This was for real! This is a poetic description of a serious earthquake. 

        What is the geography of the Jordan at Adam near Zarethan? The site of “Adam” is considered to be about two kilometers downstream from the confluence of the Jabbok River with the Jordan, on the east side and about 27 kilometres north of Jericho. The “Adam Bridge” or “Damia Bridge” located here, is one of the few border crossings into the country of Jordan. It is here, too, that the river Jordan flows past the foot of barren hills that look just ready to crumble. In fact, “on July 11, 1927, an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck near Jericho, causing extensive damage in the town. Eighteen miles north of Jericho, near Adam, there was a mud slide which dammed the river, causing it to run dry for a short time. 

        Historical records tell us that larger mud slides have occurred in 1160, 1267, 1534, 1546, 1834 and 1906 and the average length of time during which the river was blocked was two days - ample time for all the Israelites to cross from one side to the other.” [info per http://www.diggingsonline.com/pages/rese/books/comment/joshua.htm]