Joshua 4:1-6 Memorials to the Jordan Crossing
1 When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’”
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
In our passage today, these stones that made up the memorial would remind the children of Israel that their God was a miracle-working God to whom nothing was impossible. Stones represent Truth and the people would need to remember the true power of God working in their behalf. God was with them, but it did not mean an easy life. For Israel, the Promised Land would require a great deal of trust, because it would also be a place of spiritual battle. God’s people would need to remember the truth of His love, trust He was with them and opening up opportunities for growth, and have faith that beyond the challenge they would find the promised blessing. We, too, must allow God to conquer our spiritual enemies within before we can lay hold of His many blessings. Don’t allow yourself to forget the great things God has done in your life to make you more like Christ.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me spiritually cross the Jordan River to be led by your Spirit. I will remember you as Truth; you are my Cornerstone. As well, I will remember the many great things you have done in my life to bring me closer to my Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.