A pivotal transition in leadership unfolds as the nation prepares to cross into their new land. This moment marks a significant milestone for Joshua, as it is the very first time he delivers an explicit prophecy in the name of God directly to the Israelites [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. When Joshua calls the nation to come closer, his request carries both a practical and a miraculous dimension. On a basic level, he is simply gathering the people tightly around the area where he stands before the Ark, ensuring they can clearly hear God's message [רד״ק]. However, the primary approach among commentators suggests a profound miracle took place here, in which a tiny physical space accommodated a massive crowd. Joshua miraculously gathered the entire nation into the narrow gap between the two poles of the Ark [רש״י, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם].
This suspension of physical reality carries a deep conceptual message about how God interacts with the world. Sometimes, the Divine Presence rests internally, clothed within the natural world like a heart hidden inside a body, resulting in hidden guidance. Other times, it encompasses the world from the outside, much like a brain, overriding the laws of nature and matter to create open, visible miracles. By fitting the entire nation between the poles of the Ark, the physical limits of space were canceled out, and the people were fully enveloped by the Divine Presence. This served as a tangible demonstration to the Israelites that God would now guide them through supernatural miracles to drive out the inhabitants of the land [מלבי״ם].
Beyond the physical gathering, the way Joshua delivers his message highlights his deep humility. God had previously informed Joshua that the upcoming miracle of crossing the river was designed to elevate his personal status in the eyes of the nation. Yet, Joshua completely avoids praising himself or mentioning that the miracle is being performed for his honor. Instead, he shifts the focus entirely, attributing the impending event to the faith of the Israelites. He emphasizes that the true purpose of the miracle is to prove that a living God is present among them. This conveys a crucial dual message to a nation in transition: first, while Moses has passed away, God is eternal and never dies [אברבנאל]. Second, God is actively walking among them as the Master of the land, acting as a King who marches at the head of His army to conquer their inheritance for them [מלבי״ם].