Joshua 4 recounts the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River and the subsequent command to set up a memorial of twelve stones. This chapter emphasizes God's miraculous power in parting the Jordan, mirroring the Red Sea event, and serves to instill awe in both Israel and the surrounding nations. The memorial stands as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and power, intended to teach future generations about His mighty acts and to establish Joshua's leadership.
Historical context
The book of Joshua picks up where Deuteronomy leaves off, with Israel poised to enter the Promised Land. Moses has died, and Joshua has been commissioned by God to lead the people across the Jordan River into Canaan. This period marks a pivotal transition from forty years of wilderness wandering to the conquest and settlement of the land promised to Abraham. The events of Joshua 4 immediately follow the miraculous parting of the Jordan River, a divine act that echoes the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus (Exod 14:21-22).
The audience of Joshua would have been the generation entering and settling Canaan, as well as future generations in Israel. The book serves to remind them of God's covenant faithfulness, His power to fulfill His promises, and the importance of obedience. The setting is the eastern bank of the Jordan River, near Gilgal, just as the Israelites are about to begin their military campaign in Canaan. The memorial stones are a testament to God's direct intervention in their history, designed to be a permanent educational tool for the nation.
Verse by verse
- 1:
As soon as all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from the people, one from each tribe.”
This verse sets the stage for the memorial. The crossing is complete, signifying God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land. The command to select twelve men, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, underscores the corporate nature of this event and the unity of the nation under God's leadership.
- 3:
“Tell them to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.”
The stones are to be taken from the exact spot where the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stood, holding back the waters. This detail emphasizes the divine power at work, as the priests' presence, representing God's presence, was the direct cause of the river's stoppage. The memorial is thus directly linked to God's miraculous intervention.
- 7:
“When your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 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.’”
This verse reveals the primary purpose of the memorial: to serve as a teaching tool for future generations. The questions of the children are anticipated, highlighting the importance of passing down the story of God's mighty acts. The stones are not merely a historical marker but a perpetual reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and power.
- 9:
Joshua also set up another pile of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the spot where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.
This verse mentions a second set of stones, placed in the riverbed itself. While the first set was for visible instruction, these submerged stones serve as a hidden testimony, perhaps to the very ground God made dry. It reinforces the permanence and undeniable reality of the miracle, even if not always seen.
- 14:
That day the Lord honored Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they respected him as much as they had respected Moses as long as he lived.
The miraculous crossing and the establishment of the memorial stones served to confirm Joshua's leadership. Just as God had used Moses to part the Red Sea, He used Joshua to part the Jordan, validating his divine appointment in the eyes of the people. This was crucial for the upcoming military campaigns.
- 18:
The moment the priests carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stepped out of the Jordan and set foot on the dry ground, the river immediately began flowing again and overflowed its banks as before.
The immediate return of the Jordan's waters confirms the supernatural nature of the event. The river did not dry up naturally; it was held back by divine power directly linked to the presence of the Ark. This detail underscores God's absolute control over creation.
- 20:
It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan.
Gilgal becomes the initial camp and a significant location in Israel's early history in Canaan. It is here that the memorial is established, marking it as a place of remembrance and a starting point for their conquest. Gilgal would later be associated with covenant renewal and military preparations (Josh 5:9; 1 Sam 11:14-15).
- 24:
He did this so all the peoples of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is mighty, and so you might always fear the Lord your God.”
This verse provides the ultimate theological purpose of the miracle and the memorial. It's not just for Israel's remembrance but for the nations to recognize the mighty power of YHWH (Yahweh), the God of Israel. Furthermore, it's intended to cultivate a reverent fear of God among His own people, leading to ongoing obedience and worship.
Key themes
- Divine power and faithfulness
- Memorials and remembrance
- Leadership validation
- Covenant instruction
- God's glory among the nations
Application
The account in Joshua 4 reminds us of the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness. Just as the Israelites were commanded to set up stones as a tangible reminder, we too need practices and markers in our lives that recall God's specific interventions and provisions. These memorials are not just for us, but for those who come after us—our children, our friends, our communities. Sharing stories of God's grace helps to build a legacy of faith.
Moreover, this chapter points us to Christ. The crossing of the Jordan, a passage from death to life, from wilderness to promise, foreshadows the spiritual journey of salvation through Christ. He is our true Joshua, leading us into the promised rest. When we look back at the cross, we see the ultimate memorial of God's mighty hand, not just parting waters but conquering sin and death. This remembrance should cultivate a profound reverence for God and inspire us to live lives that testify to His power and love, for His glory among all peoples.
Frequently asked questions
Why were the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River?
The twelve stones were taken from the exact spot in the Jordan River where the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stood. This act served as a tangible memorial to God's miraculous intervention, which caused the river to stop flowing. The stones were a physical representation of God's power and faithfulness in bringing His people into the Promised Land, ensuring that the event would not be forgotten by future generations (Josh 4:6-7).
What was the purpose of the memorial of stones?
The primary purpose of the memorial of stones was to serve as a teaching tool. When future generations, particularly children, would ask about the meaning of the stones, their parents were to recount the story of God's miraculous parting of the Jordan River. This ensured that the memory of God's mighty hand and His covenant faithfulness would be passed down, fostering a reverent fear of the Lord among His people and demonstrating His power to the surrounding nations (Josh 4:6-7, 21-24).
How did the Jordan River crossing validate Joshua's leadership?
The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, under Joshua's command, served to publicly affirm his divine appointment as Moses' successor. Just as God had used Moses to part the Red Sea, He used Joshua to part the Jordan, demonstrating that His presence and power were with Joshua. This event elevated Joshua's standing in the eyes of all Israel, ensuring they would respect and obey him as they had Moses, which was crucial for the upcoming conquest of Canaan (Josh 4:14).
What is the significance of Gilgal in Joshua 4?
Gilgal was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River, and it was the place where the memorial stones were set up (Josh 4:20). It became a significant location, serving as a base for military operations and a place of covenant renewal. The name “Gilgal” itself means “rolling” or “rolling away,” and it is later revealed that at Gilgal, God “rolled away” the reproach of Egypt from the Israelites (Josh 5:9), signifying a fresh start in the Promised Land.
How does Joshua 4 point to Christ?
Joshua 4, with its themes of divine leadership, miraculous passage, and entering a promised inheritance, foreshadows Christ. Joshua, whose name is a form of Jesus, leads God's people into their promised land, much as Jesus leads us into spiritual rest and our eternal inheritance. The crossing of the Jordan, a passage from a wilderness existence to a new life, can be seen as a type of baptism or conversion, where believers pass from death to life through Christ's work. The memorial stones remind us of God's mighty acts, with the cross being the ultimate memorial of God's saving power.