1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6 That this may be a sign among you, [that] when your children ask [their fathers] in time to come, saying, What [mean] ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.
11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.
12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:
13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
15 And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan.
18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, [and] the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as [they did] before.
19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth [day] of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What [mean] these stones?
22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Summary of Joshua Chapter 4
Joshua Chapter 4 narrates the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites and the establishment of a memorial to commemorate this significant event. This chapter emphasizes themes of remembrance, faith, and God’s faithfulness.
Key Events
- Crossing the Jordan: The Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground as the waters are miraculously held back by God.
- Command to Take Stones: Joshua is instructed by God to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to take stones from the riverbed.
- Setting Up the Memorial: The stones are set up as a memorial at Gilgal to remind future generations of God’s power.
- Instructions for Future Generations: The chapter highlights the importance of teaching children about the miraculous events that God has performed.
- God’s Assurance: The chapter concludes with a reaffirmation of God’s presence and power, as He exalts Joshua in the eyes of the people.
Theological Themes
- Remembrance: The act of setting up a memorial signifies the importance of remembering God’s deeds and sharing these stories with future generations.
- Faith and Obedience: The Israelites’ obedience in following Joshua’s instructions reflects their faith in God’s promises.
- God’s Sovereignty: The miraculous parting of the Jordan River showcases God’s control over nature and His ability to fulfill His promises.
- Community and Identity: The gathering of twelve stones symbolizes the unity of the twelve tribes of Israel and their shared identity as God’s chosen people.
Character Analysis
- Joshua: As the leader of the Israelites, Joshua displays strong faith and obedience to God’s commands. His role as a mediator between God and the people is crucial in this chapter.
- The Twelve Men: Selected from each tribe, these men exemplify leadership and responsibility as they carry the stones to establish the memorial.
- The Israelites: The collective response of the Israelites demonstrates their faith and willingness to follow God’s guidance through Joshua.
Significance of the Memorial
The memorial of stones serves multiple purposes:
- Reminder of God’s Faithfulness: It acts as a tangible reminder of God’s miraculous intervention in their journey.
- Teaching Tool: Future generations are encouraged to inquire about the stones, providing an opportunity for parents to teach their children about God’s deeds.
- Symbol of Unity: The stones represent the unity of the tribes and their collective experience of God’s deliverance.
Conclusion
Joshua Chapter 4 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, emphasizing the importance of remembrance, faith, and community. The establishment of the memorial not only commemorates a miraculous event but also serves as a vital teaching tool for future generations, ensuring that the stories of God’s faithfulness are passed down through time.
