Joshua Chapter 4 in The Amplified Bible “Memorial Stones from Jordan”

Joshua Chapter 4 in The Amplified Bible “Memorial Stones from Jordan”

Introduction

Joshua Chapter 4 recounts the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. The chapter details how Joshua commanded twelve men, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, to take twelve stones from the riverbed as a memorial of God's faithfulness and power. These stones were set up as a monument at Gilgal to serve as a reminder for future generations of God's mighty works. This passage highlights the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and the significance of passing down stories of His miraculous deeds to future generations.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

Verses 1-3: Memorial Stones from Jordan “So it was when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take for yourselves the twelve men [chosen] from among the people, one man from each tribe, and command them, ‘Pick up for yourselves twelve stones [one each] from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm; carry them over with you and lay them down at the place where you will spend the night tonight.’?”

Joshua commands twelve men to take twelve stones from the Jordan River as a memorial.

Relevance To Today’s Believers: This passage emphasizes the importance of remembering and commemorating God's faithfulness in our lives. It encourages believers to create tangible reminders of God's mighty works to strengthen their faith and pass down stories of His faithfulness to future generations.

Verses 4-7: “Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; and Joshua said to them, “Cross over again to the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, so that this may be a sign among you; when your children ask later, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial for Israel forever.”

Joshua explains the purpose of the stones as a memorial to future generations, so they may know of God's miraculous intervention in bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Relevance To Today’s Believers: This passage underscores the importance of sharing stories of God's faithfulness with future generations. It encourages believers to pass down the testimonies of God's goodness and power to inspire faith in others.

Verses 8-9: “So the [twelve men chosen from the] sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, just as the Lord had spoken to Joshua; and they carried them over with them to the place where they were spending the night and put them down there. Then Joshua set up [a second monument of] twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing, and they are there to this day”

The twelve men carry out Joshua's command, taking twelve stones from the Jordan River and setting them up as a memorial at Gilgal.

Relevance To Today’s Believers:This passage demonstrates obedience to God's commands and highlights the significance of tangible reminders of His faithfulness. It encourages believers to take action in commemorating God's works and to be intentional about remembering His faithfulness in their lives.

Verses 10-11: “For the priests who carried the ark were standing in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people, in accordance with everything that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people hurried and crossed [the dry riverbed]; and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.”

The Israelites cross the Jordan River, and the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stand in the middle of the river until everyone has crossed safely.

Relevance To Today’s Believers: This passage showcases God's faithfulness in leading His people and His miraculous provision in parting the waters of the Jordan River. It encourages believers to trust in God's guidance and provision, even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles.

Verses 12-24: “The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed for battle before the [other] sons of Israel, just as Moses had spoken to them; 13about 40,000 [men] armed and equipped for war crossed for battle before the Lord to the desert plains of Jericho. On that day the Lord magnified and exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so they feared him [with profound awe and reverence], just as they had feared Moses all the days of his life. Now the Lord said to Joshua, “Order the priests carrying the ark of the Testimony to come up out of the Jordan.” So Joshua commanded the priests, saying, “Come up out of the Jordan.” When the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of their feet were raised up to the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and flowed over all its banks as before. Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth [day] of the first month and encamped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, just as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; so that all the peoples of the earth may know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that the hand of the Lord is mighty and extraordinarily powerful, so that you will fear the Lord your God [and obey and worship Him with profound awe and reverence] forever.””

Joshua sets up the twelve stones as a memorial at Gilgal, and the Israelites pass through the Jordan River on dry ground.

Relevance To Today’s Believers: This passage serves as a lasting testimony to God's faithfulness and power. It reminds believers to remember and celebrate God's miraculous works in their lives and to share these stories with others as a testament to His faithfulness.

Summary

Joshua Chapter 4 recounts the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. The chapter emphasizes the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and passing down stories of His miraculous deeds to future generations. Joshua commands twelve men to take twelve stones from the Jordan River as a memorial, and these stones are set up as a monument at Gilgal to serve as a reminder for future generations of God's mighty works. The passage highlights the significance of tangible reminders of God's faithfulness and encourages believers to trust in God's guidance and provision, even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles. Ultimately, it reminds believers to remember and celebrate God's miraculous works in their lives and to share these stories with others as a testament to His faithfulness.

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