10 For the priests who carried the ark were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people , according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua . And the people hurried and crossed ; 11 and when all the people had finished crossing , the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed before the people . 12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe e of Manasseh crossed over in battle array before the sons of Israel , just as Moses had spoken to them; 13 about 40,000 e equipped for war , crossed for battle before the Lord to the desert plains of Jericho .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:10-13
Commentary on Joshua 4:10-19
(Read Joshua 4:10-19)
The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.