Joshua 3:5

Sanctify yourselves. Joshua probably refers here to the same type of experience God required of the people at Sinai (see on Exodus 19:10). They were to wash themselves and their garments, and to abstain from everything that might prevent them from fixing their attention on the great miracle soon to be wrought in their behalf. To their work of preparation God would, of course, add His blessing. Man must ever cooperate with God in the working out of his own salvation (Philippians 2:12). If we would expect the blessing and leadership of God in our preparations for entering the heavenly Canaan, it is essential that we “sanctify” ourselves by consecrating our lives to God that He may purify and make us holy. If this was necessary for entrance into the earthly Canaan, how much more necessary it is for admission to the heavenly Canaan.

Wonders. The word thus translated is from a verb meaning “to separate,” “to distinguish.” The “wonders” God performed from time to time distinguish Him as the true God. In that these “wonders” were done for Israel, they would set Israel apart from other peoples as the special object of God’s favor. But there could be no “wonders” — God could not work on their behalf — unless they first heeded the command to “sanctify yourselves.”