Two Memorials of Stone are built
September 27, 2021
Commentary
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of lost loved ones. Memorial Day can be a day when we reflect upon any individual who has had an impact upon our lives, and with this in mind I want to reflect upon and remember how both the Lord and his Son, Jesus Christ, touched our lives. Let us never fail to remember God’s goodness to each of us, for when we fail to remember what God has done for us then we fall astray from the path of righteousness.
We see how God made it possible for each of the twelve tribes of Israel to cross the Jordan River (vv. 1-7). Gathering one stone per tribe from the bottom of the riverbed, making twelve stones in all (vv. 2-3), they took the stones to the bank of the river and laid them down. They did this to show anyone who later passed by that the stones had come from the bottom of the river (vv. 5-6). Joshua told the Israelites that when people asked about these stones, they were to share with them the story of how God had parted the flooding Jordan and allowed them to cross on dry land (vv. 6-8). These stones served as a living memorial of God’s glory to remind the Israelites of how God cared enough for a lone group of wandering people, that He came into this world and intervened on their behalf. One pile of stones was placed in the middle of the river (v. 9) and the other pile at Gilgal (vv. 19-20). Joshua’s reputation for handling his responsibilities brought him praise (vv. 10-14). The Bible tells us that it is very important to remember all the marvelous things that God has done for us (Deut. 6:12).
Application
The people in Joshua’s day were to focus on the Lord and remember who was guiding them. It is easy for me to become too busy doing my daily tasks and fail to remember that wonderful day when Jesus came into my heart. If I do, I can be sure that I will lose my passion and zeal for God!
Joshua 4:1– 14 (NET)
1 When the entire nation was on the other side, the Lord told Joshua, 2 “Select for yourselves twelve men from the people, one per tribe. 3 Instruct them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests stand firmly, and carry them over with you and put them in the place where you camp tonight.’”
4 Joshua summoned the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one per tribe. 5 Joshua told them, “Go in front of the ark of the Lord your God to the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to put a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the Israelite tribes. 6 The stones will be a reminder to you. When your children ask someday, ‘Why are these stones important to you?’ 7 tell them how the water of the Jordan stopped flowing before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the water of the Jordan stopped flowing. These stones will be a lasting memorial for the Israelites.”
8 The Israelites did just as Joshua commanded. They picked up twelve stones, according to the number of the Israelite tribes, from the middle of the Jordan as the Lord had instructed Joshua. They carried them over with them to the camp and put them there. 9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan in the very place where the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stood. They remain there to this very day.
10 Now the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people was accomplished, in accordance with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people went across quickly, 11 and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed as the people looked on. 12 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed for battle ahead of the Israelites, just as Moses had instructed them. 13 About 40,000 battle-ready troops marched past the Lord to fight on the rift valley plains of Jericho. 14 That day the Lord brought honor to Joshua before all Israel. They respected him all his life, just as they had respected Moses.