Joshua 4: The Memorial Stones
1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” 8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Stones are used by Jews on graves instead of flowers. They represent the earth, just as flowers in the Bible represent that which perishes. The first man Adam was of the earth and earthly; the Second Man Adam was the Lord from Heaven— the Messiah of Israel. I believe that if the stones could speak they would say “We are but dust, but let me tell you about my God.”
“The dividing of the Jordan, and at the moment when the river overflowed its banks, was a most signal monument of the divine favour to Israel. In one moment it removed all their fears, and filled them with transports of joy. They were all ready to leap into the bed of the river, but dared not to move till the signal was given by their leader. So Israel had now learned to obey, and to do all things in decency and order.
This most signal monument of the divine favour must be perpetuated by a pillar of twelve stones, erected in Gilgal for the instruction of future generations. And if all nations raised trophies, pillars, arches, and temples, in memory of victories and illustrious deeds, the erection of the rude pillar in Gilgal was not only congenial to the sentiments of national glory, but sacred as a religious memorial. This is a strong argument for the truth of all that Moses had said of the ages before he wrote; for oral tradition from the beginning corresponded with the monuments of antiquity, with which Moses had the best opportunities of being acquainted. Hence we learn that the sacred writings, containing the ancient works of God, should often be read by our children, that they may become largely acquainted with the power and glory of the Most High.” (Sutcliffe's Commentary)
9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
Here we have a personal testimony of Joshua. We must likewise sanctify the Lord in our hearts and be ready to give an answer of the hope that is within us. (1 Peter 3:15) We rehearse the stories of antiquity, but we also tell what the Lord has done for us. Have you set memorial stones in the midst of your Jordan? “Another set of stones is intended than that before mentioned. The one set was erected by the command of God at the spot where they passed the night Joshua 4:3; the other by Joshua on the spot where the priests' feet rested while they bore up the ark during the passage of the people. This spot was near, or perhaps on, the eastern brink ... These stones would therefore mark the spot at which the people crossed, as the others marked the place in which they lodged the night after the crossing; nor, as the stones would only be reached by the water in flood time, and then by the utmost edge of it, is there any reason why they could not both be seen, and continue in their place as the writer asserts they did up to the time when he wrote.” (Barnes' Notes)
Memorial— “Something that keeps remembrance vivid. The ideas represented by the words ‘remember,’ ‘remembrance,’ and ‘memorial’ are closely connected in common parlance as well as in biblical usage. The Hebrew and Greek words translated as ‘memorial’ in the OT and NT are nominal derivatives of the verbal roots meaning ‘to remember.’ It is for this reason that one cannot fully grasp the significance of the term ‘memorial’ without first understanding something of the usage and meaning of the term ‘to remember.’
Although ‘remember’ is usually understood as simply recalling to the mind something from the past, and ‘memorial’ as that which serves to preserve the memory of something from the past, there is often another dimension to these terms in biblical usage. In the Bible, the verb ‘to remember’ often represents a broader idea than simply to recall something from the past because it implies and includes resultant action as well. It is not just recalling, but recalling in a way that affects one's present feeling, thought, or action… Joshua 4:7 describes setting up a monument of 12 stones in the midst of the Jordan River as a ‘memorial’ to the miraculous provision for Israel's crossing and entering Canaan. This memorial is to be ‘for the people of Israel for ever.’ It is to remind them of God's past deliverance so that they may take courage in their present circumstances.
Another usage of the term is found in connection with the ‘stones of remembrance’ attached to the front of the ephod worn by the high priest (Ex 28:12, 29; 39:7). The significance of these stones was that they were to bring the names of the sons of Israel before the Lord. This is not simply in order for the Lord to recall their names but to assure the Israelites of his present concern for their well-being.” (Tyndale Bible Dictionary)
When Jesus set His face to go towards Jerusalem to die for the sins of the world, “As He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! [Psalm 118:26] Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.’” (Luke 19:36-40)
For the same purpose as the memorial stones "baptism and the Lord’s supper have been instituted, that having the covenant seals always before our eyes, we might never forget the grace and glories of our redemption." (Sutcliffe) Remember that which affects your actions in a positive way. “When you wash your face, remember your baptism.” (Luther)
Joshua 4: The Priests Bore the Ark Upon Their Shoulders
10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished 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 over.
“Although it is probable that Joshua was instructed by a new message from heaven as to what was necessary to be done, he is, however, said to have followed what Moses had commanded.” (Calvin). "According to all that Moses commanded Joshua; which he did not particularly, but in the general, because he commanded Joshua to observe and do all that God had commanded him by Moses, and all that he should command him any other way." (Matthew Henry) Jesus, likewise reveals Himself to us. As we read His Word, He helps us by His Spirit to apply precepts to ourselves. He helps us to think right thoughts –precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little. He thus helps us to bear Christ upon our shoulders to save souls.
The priests stood bearing the ark on their shoulders. Surely they had faith, but just as certainly they must have wondered if they would ever get out alive. Yet they remained at their post, as an example for the Christian bearing the message of the Cross of Jesus to a perishing world. We must continue until everyone has had a chance to cross over. Like the priests of old, we also stand in a precarious place, “accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Romans 8:36; Psalm 44:22) May we learn the lesson from the priests in Joshua's day to stand fixed and patient wherever God sets us.
The focal point was the ark- a picture of Christ. "The silent presence of the ark is enough to dam up the stream. There is vehement action around, but the cause of it all is in absolute repose. God moves all things, Himself unmoved. He ‘worketh hitherto,’ and no intensity of energy breaks the depth of His perfect rest… The ark is still, while it holds back a swollen river for hours. The centre of the swiftest revolution is a point of rest.” (Alexander Maclaren)
In contrast, the people- representing churchgoers, MADE HASTE and crossed in obedience and trust in God. The tribes were at great intervals and great in number. And “however broad the front and swift the march, the crossing must have taken many hours.” (Maclauren) Many commentators assume that the people hastened from fear, but "such haste would have been both utterly unseemly, and an evil omen for the conquest. There were other reasons for making all possible haste. Were they not keeping the priests of God with their arms outstretched, to bear up their holy burden? And moreover, there, distinct before them, beautiful in the soft, rich light of the early morning, lay the homes, and vineyards, and fields, which they were to possess. A few steps, and their feet would be in Canaan; a few moments, and the weary waiting of years would end. As the tired labourer hastes at the first glimpse of his home, so must they have hastened… And shall not the thought that Jesus waits till all be gathered in--waits, without coming yet ‘in His power and great glory’—shall not this thought stir up His Church, not only to be looking for, but hastening His coming? The love of Christ constraining us, will urge us onward. And who that has had ‘the eyes of the understanding opened’ to behold what are ‘the riches of glory’ of this inheritance in Christ Jesus would not fain ‘to his speed add wings,’ that he might enter it and at once possess it?” (S. F. Smiley.) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:16)
11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. 12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. 13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life. 15 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 16 “Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.” 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before.
All of Israel was saved by the power of God. ”So long as one Israelite was in the channel it remained, a silent presence, to ensure his safety. It let their rate of speed determine the length of its standing there. It waited for the slowest foot and the weariest laggard." (Alexander Maclaren)
Israel went over to Canaan prepared for war and we must be similarly prepared for spiritual warfare by trusting and obeying the Word. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3–6)
Joshua was highly exalted on that day. One Day, on Resurrection Morn, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23).
And all of Israel will be saved, “but it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ [Gen 21:12] That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” (Romans 9:6-8) You must be spiritual seed of Abraham for God is able to make children of Abraham out of stones.
19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
“Exactly forty years before, on the tenth day of the first month, (Exodus 12:5), they had been commanded to take them ‘a lamb for an house,’ that they might keep the Passover. The forty years of the Exodus were now complete, and on the self-same day they passed over the last barrier, and entered the Promised Land.” (Ellicott's Commentary)
Let us pitch in Gilgal, telling the story to our children and our children's children until Jesus comes again in glory.