The Memorial Stones
Joshua 4
In the previous chapter, we see the Jordan River parted for the children of Israel to cross. In this chapter, we see the Israelites during crossing Jordan.
Carrying of the Stones vs. 1-9
Joshua gave instructions for twelve men, one from each tribe, to pull up stones found in the midst of the Jordan River.
These stones are going to be used to build a memorial on the other side.
While the people are crossing, Joshua takes time to take twelve other stones and build a memorial at the priests’ feet, in the middle of the river bed
Passing Through the Jordon vs. 10-19
The priests are holding the Ark of the Covenant in the middle of the river bed, while the people are passing over.
It would take an estimated 8 hours to have 2.5 million people crossing, at a stretch of two miles across. The Ark weighed approximately 150 pounds.
Also in this day, the people recognized Joshua as God’s man for this time.
As the priests left the Jordan river, the waters washed back to its normal flow.
That All the Earth May Know vs. 20-24
As the children Israel crossed, they made camp in Gilgal. Gilgal means “the burden rolled away.”
The stones were placed together for a special memorial. It was meant so when children asked about that memorial, the fathers would answer that God had Israel cross Jordan on dry land. It was to be a testimony for the whole world to see God is mighty.
The crossing Jordan is representative of dying to self to the victorious Christian life.
But what about the stones Joshua placed in the middle of the River?
Matthew 3:5-12
The location is in the Jordan river at Bethabara (John 1:28) which means “the house of passage” Here the Pharisees have come to John the Baptist. John sees them and addresses their hypocrisy. They were looking at how righteous they were because they were God’s people and not seeing it was God that makes us righteous.
In verse 9 John points to the rock monument in the Jordan River where he was standing.
In verse 11, John could recognize publicly a repentant heart, but only God can fill us with His Spirit so we can be used.
It is God’s power that changes lives. In order to have God’s power in our lives and a victorious Christian life, God desires us to have, we must die to self and recognize God must do the work.