Josué 4
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 4
Vernon McGee has an interesting comment - Now, when the children of Israel crossed over the river, they became citizens of Palestine. They became forever identified with that land—so much so, that today, even at this hour, they speak of the Jew in Palestine. And when he is out of that land, he is spoken of as the “wandering Jew.” Sign (Lxx translates with semeion)(0226) 'oth means a signal, a mark a miracle and is used to describe amazing events such as God bringing Israel out of Egypt (Ex 4:8, 9, Nu 14:22) or a sign serving to authenticate the message as from God (1Sa 2:34, 10:7, 9) in contrast to the signs from false prophets (Dt 13:1, 2). Oth is used in Joshua 2:12 when Rahab seeks a "pledge" (sign) of truth ("a solemn pledge") and in Joshua 24:17 where Joshua testifies to Israel that God had down "great signs." Joshua 4:1-18 Questions Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks. —1 Peter 3:15 A young boy was in a church service with his grandfather. Full of curiosity, the boy kept asking, “What does that mean?” Grandpa quietly explained everything that was going on. When the minister began his sermon, he took off his watch and placed it on the podium. The boy whispered, “What does that mean”? Grandpa, who had heard many long sermons that sent the service into overtime, answered, “Not a thing, sonny. Not a thing.” That’s a funny story, but there’s a serious side to it. The boy’s barrage of questions may have irritated some people, but the grandfather knew that children have an inquisitive nature that makes them open to spiritual truth. According to today’s Bible reading, Joshua knew that too. He knew that children of future generations would ask about the pile of stones in the Jordan River. So he told parents to use the opportunity to tell how God had miraculously parted the waters of the Jordan (Josh. 4:6-7). Lord, help us live in such a way That people ask and want to know How they can have real joy and peace While living in a world of woe. —Sper God gave you a message to share—don't keep it to yourself! Joshua 4:1-9 Family Stories These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. —Joshua 4:7 In her book The Shelter of Each Other, Mary Pipher gives advice on rebuilding troubled families. She explores how today’s children sometimes overuse TV and video games to the exclusion of informal instruction received from extended family. She gives an example of a family reunion where the youngsters are given a video to watch in the back room so the adults can talk undisturbed. Dr. Pipher believes this diversion actually deprives kids. Children need to mix with the older generation so they can hear the stories of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and parents. This helps them learn from those who have gone before them. The Old Testament places a high value on children being taught their spiritual heritage. After God parted the waters of the Jordan River, Joshua was instructed to take 12 stones from the river to create a memorial for future generations. “When your children ask . . . ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off. . . . And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever” (Josh. 4:6-7). We need spiritual interaction between generations. Remember, Bible stories are often family stories. And our children need them and us. Godly forefathers make good teachers. Antidotes for Spiritual Amnesia by David Merkh As I took the old, rusty plug from the knickknack shelf, the memories returned. As rookie missionaries in Brazil, we had just completed a retreat with 15 seminarians in the interior. Driving down a deserted dirt road, our engine clunked, then ground to a halt. On inspection we discovered an oily trail snaking its way all the way back to the site of the retreat. Our wounded car had been slowly bleeding to death, the victim of a cruel mechanic who had changed the oil but failed to secure the plug. It was gone. When we reached town, we needed to replace the plug, add some oil, and try to coax the car back to civilization. We found a store, where the auto parts manager told us, "Sorry, sir, but I haven't got that part." Back in the street, a voice called from behind. It wasn't the Lord, but He couldn't have spoken louder in an audible voice. Reaching in the back of his car, a man pulled out a familiar, rusted, old plug. "I live far out of town. I saw this plug on the road. I don't know why, but I threw it in the back of my car, and forgot about it-until now, when I heard you talking to the parts manager." Not only had we found a replacement part-we found our missing plug. Once again, God reminded me of His faithfulness. I felt ashamed for ever doubting. He reminded me that He cares for every detail in our lives and, more than that, I had another memorial of God's faithfulness.When people hear the word "memorial" they often think of places like Mount Rushmore or the Washington Monument. Each of these landmarks commemorates highlights in our history and keeps them alive in the national conscience. For the Christian, memorials commemorate God's faithfulness and remind us of His interventions on our behalf. As tangible symbols they prod us to recall milestones along life's highway, moments when God dramatically dissipated the fog and gave us a glimpse of His sovereign care. Memorials rehearse life's miracles, big and small. God prescribes memorials as antidotes for spiritual amnesia. I replace the old plug and remove a cancelled check from another cubbyhole. "Daddy, tell me the story again about The Check." "Honey, Mommy needed $3,000 or she'd have to drop out of college. At the last minute, God gave her even more than she needed. Mommy finished school, we married, and now we're living happily ever after!" Who needs memorials? We all do, because our memory banks tend to misplace those incredible times when God intervened in our lives. Memorials jog the memory, drawing us back, inviting us to relive the thrill of cuddling a long-awaited child, or remember the drama of being protected from a near tragedy. In the Old Testament, symbolic reminders of God's grace abound. Piles of stone prompted generations to recall the miracle of crossing the Jordan River. Altars built by the patriarchs, and the Ark of the Covenant served as visual aids reminding Israel of God's gracious deeds on her behalf. The rainbow still reminds us of God's promise never to flood the entire earth again. The New Testament perpetuates the role of memorials. Baptism illustrates one's identification with Christ. The celebration of the Lord's Supper dramatically recalls Christ's broken body and shed blood: "Do this in remembrance of me" (1 Cor. 11:24). We need memorials because we can't afford to forget. We also need memorials because they assure us of God's love and faithfulness today. The same God who healed a child, provided a job, placed groceries at our doorstep or a check in the mailbox still walks with us today. Memorials remind us, "He didn't bring us this far, to leave us!" Today, The Check and an oil pan plug occupy their own special cubbyholes as memorials to God's faithfulness. His faithfulness in the past encourages us to persevere in the present. How do we create memorials? As our family began brainstorming, we thought of key events in our lives and how God had proved Himself faithful. These we listed on a sheet of paper divided into columns, including the date, event, and its significance. That experience alone revealed to us not only how much God had done, but also how much we had forgotten. Next, we decided on a strategy for "memorializing" these events. A good memorial should be tangible, easily accessible, and readily associated with the event (not overly abstract). While diaries, journals, and other written records can help commemorate the past, few people consult them with any frequency. Photo albums, audio cassettes, and videotapes have a better track record. Our family especially enjoys putting together a "time capsule" containing the year's highlights on miniature scrolls and including newspaper headlines, photographs, coins with the current date, and symbolic objects reminding us of key events. We "bury" the time capsule in a corner of the house or yard, to be dug up at a future date. Copying a model my in-laws had used for years, when we married my wife and I built our own miniature house, using more than 50 empty matchboxes. Each box would represent a year of our married life. On anniversaries we record special events from that year on a tiny scroll and deposit it in our matchbox house. Our memorial house now looks back to 14 years of God's faithfulness, but also anticipates many more years of blessing ahead. Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo of Growing Families International introduced us to the concept of a shadow box memorial. The shadow box is a curio cupboard which can be easily purchased at a department store or even made at home. Unlike the matchbox house, which contains written reminders of God's faithfulness on tiny scrolls, the shadow box contains cubbyholes of varying sizes appropriate for placing small symbolic reminders of your life's journey. The Ezzos suggest passing on replicas of the family shadow box to your children on their wedding day. It now ranks as our family's favorite means of recalling a heritage rich with accounts of God's presence and protection. The shadow box concept works well in other contexts as well. For example, when our church celebrated its 15-year anniversary, we celebrated with a worship service full of testimonies of God's faithfulness. Each testimony included a memorial object which was symbolically placed in a large curio cabinet. The shadow box is placed in the church's foyer as a constant reminder of all God has done. I am reminded of yet another example of God's protective care. It had been a long day, and we were all relaxing by watching a video in our home near São Paulo. Keila, our fifth child and still a newborn, lay contentedly on her quilt on the floor. I picked her up to enjoy some "daddy-daughter time," and we played while watching the program. Then I felt a tickling sensation on my toes, looked, and saw a brightly colored coral snake gliding over my bare foot, then under Keila's quilt. He was small but very dangerous-especially to an infant. Today, a small plastic snake lies coiled alongside an old oil plug and The Check-memorials to God's protective care. As I carefully returned each object to the shadow box, I couldn't help but thank God for such a wonderful heritage. To others, these miniatures might seem like junk gathering dust on the shelf. But for my children, my wife, and me they speak of a living God Who still works in the lives of His loved ones. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 6. That this may be a sign among you. A sign that shall permanently remain among you; a monument or memorial; a conspicuous object which shall be a standing witness of the wonderful event that has this day happened. Heaps, or pillars of stone, in commemoration of great events, such as covenants, victories, &c., have been common among all nations from the earliest ages. See Gen. 31:46; Ex. 24:4. In the present case, though there was no inscription on the stones, yet from the number of them, and from the place where they stood, it would be evident that they pointed to some memorable transaction, and of this it was to be the duty of each generation to keep its successors informed. It would likewise serve as a standing proof in corroboration of the matter of fact to those who might, in after ages, question the truth of the written history. The record of this great event might indeed be read in the sacred writings, but God, who knows the frame of his creatures, and how much they are influenced by the objects of sense, kindly ordered an expedient for keeping it in more lively remembrance from age to age. So he has provided the sacrament of the Lord’s supper to aid our understandings and affect our hearts by sensible symbols, though the same great truths which they represent are plainly delivered in words in the inspired oracles. When your children ask, &c. Heb. כי ישאלון בניכם ki yishâlun benëkem, when your sons ask; i. e. your descendants; not little children merely, but your posterity of whatever age. Thus ‘children of Israel’ is equivalent to ‘sons of Israel, or Israelites.’ In time to come. Heb. מחר mâhâr, to-morrow, often used in the original to signify indefinitely all future time. Gen 30:33. In like manner ‘yesterday’ is used in a general sense for all past time, as Heb. 13:8, ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.’ What mean ye by these stones? Heb. מח האבנים האלה לכם mâh hâ-ebâdnim hâëlleh lâkim, what these stones to you? Joshua 4:7 then you shall say to them, 'Because 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 to the sons of Israel forever." the waters: Jos 3:13-16 memorial: Jos 4:6 Ex 12:14 28:12 30:16 Nu 16:40 Ps 111:4 Isa 66:3 *marg: 1Co 11:24 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD'S WORK IS TO BE MEMORIALIZED then you shall say to them, 'Because 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 to the sons of Israel forever - They were to teach their children the great miracle that Yahweh had done for the nation. Moses had warned the nation about the danger of forgetting Yahweh (see Dt 8:11-14+). THOUGHT - Memory is a sad thing to lose, especially when if comes to the great and mighty deeds of the Lord. Forgetfulness is one of the greatest enemies of faith. Remembering God's great acts in our life undergirds our trust in Him. Forgetting His great acts tends to cause our faith to falter. Have you told your children and grandchildren the great things God has done in your life? If you are a believer, you need to tell them of His miraculous deliverance you experienced when you were born again. Memory is also the wellspring of praise. Truth remembered must issue forth in faithful actions of genuine obedience => ultimately that is Real Worship, when you bow your knee in every area of your life to the only One worthy to be praised. Dale Ralph Davis has an insightful comment on the memorialization of this unique event in Israel's history - We can almost see it now. Fifteen years post-Jordan time an Israelite father and his six-year-old son are strolling through Gilgal National Park. The lad spots an imposing pile of stones. He counts twelve, and exclaims, 'Hey, Daddy, what are those stones for?' The son's curiosity now becomes the occasion for communicating to him the news of Israel's astounding God and how he unleashed his power for his people. There is an implication here. If Yahweh so insists that Israel remember this day, it implies that this event was unique and that Yahweh does not usually work with such visibly raw power. If Yahweh did something of this magnitude every fifth Wednesday or so, why should Israel need to remember Jordan Day? Apparently, this sort of miracle will be infrequent. Yahweh's standard method of retaining his people's fidelity is not by frequent and dazzling displays of power but by faithful witness and teaching of those particular acts in which he had already demonstrated his care for his own. The pattern of remembering carries over for the church. We continue to remember the utterly unique act of our Redeemer in the Lord's Supper. Even our children whisper to us as we take the elements, 'What does that mean? What is that? What are you doing?' And even there we can whisper our brief witness back to them. Why this remembrance? Lest we begin to regard the cross as a piece of furniture rather than the throne of the Shepherd who soaked up the wrath of God for the sins of his flock. (Focus on the Bible Commentary – Joshua: No Falling Words) Joshua 4:7 Rushmore Reminder These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. — Joshua 4:7 Today's Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24 In 1941, sculptor Gutzon Borglum completed his work on Mount Rushmore. The 60-foot-high granite heads of four US Presidents now stand like sentinels of democracy over the Black Hills of South Dakota. The imposing likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt remind visitors of our nation’s heritage and history. God told Israel’s leader, Joshua, to take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River for a similar purpose (Josh. 4:1-7,20-24). The Lord wanted future generations to have a memorial to their national history. He wanted them to remember that as He parted the Red Sea to get them out of Egypt, He also parted the Jordan to get them into the Promised Land. He wanted them to live not only in the present, but with the reminder of the values, faith, and experiences of their founding fathers: Moses, Aaron, and Joshua. God understands our human nature and knows that “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” occurs all too often in our spiritual lives. We need physical reminders of spiritual truths. We need to pile up stones, write journals, and tell family stories to help us remember the miracle of God’s provisions that neither we nor our children can afford to forget. By: Mart DeHaan Think About It How has God shown Himself to be faithful to you and your family in the past? How can you make sure you'll remember? With whom can you talk about it today? Precious memories of yesterday can be precious moments today. Rod Mattoon - Believers need memorials to remind them of God's greatness. In Church—The Lord's Supper has been instituted by the Lord. Personally—Memories should be monuments. Memories such as: the day you were saved. the times when God answered your prayers or saw you through a trial. miraculous provisions of God. Nationally—Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of Christ. Easter time is a time of celebrating His resurrection. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate God's provisions and blessings. (Treasures From Joshua) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 7. Then shall ye answer them, That the waters, &c. This clause, as appears from the original, requires to be supplied thus, ‘Then shall ye answer, These stones are designed to commemorate the fact that the waters,’ &c. Such is undoubtedly the true grammatical dependence of the conjunction that. Cut off before the ark. As it were, at the sight of it, at its first approach. The clause respecting the cutting off of the waters of Jordan occurs again in the same words towards the end of the verse, to intimate, perhaps, the wonderful character of the miracle, and that a fact of such a stupendous nature should be repeated again and again in the hearing of those who were to be instructed. A memorial unto the children of Israel. To them particularly and primarily, but not exclusively; for the monument was calculated to be a witness and a standing reproof also to the heathen nations around. For ever. For an indefinite period of time; as long as the nation should endure. Joshua 4:8 Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, just as the LORD spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel; and they carried them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there. did as Joshua: Jos 4:2-5 1:16-18 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries IMMEDIATE UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE BY THE TWELVE Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, just as the LORD spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel and they carried them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there - While their obedience may seem to be a small point, keep in mind that the Jordan's waters are still being held back. They did not know how long the "divine dam" would last and so they could easily have feared going back into the river bed. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 8. The children of Israel did so. That is, the twelve men, who acted as the representatives of the whole body of the children of Israel and therefore bear their name. A company or community is often said in the Scriptures to do that which is done by their constituted agents. Joshua 4:9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle 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. set up twelve: Ex 24:12 28:21 1Ki 18:31 Ps 111:2-4 and they are there: Ge 26:33 De 34:6 Jdg 1:26 1Sa 30:25 2Sa 4:3 2Ch 5:9 Mt 27:8 Mt 28:15 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A SECOND MEMORIAL IN MIDDLE OF JORDAN Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle 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 - This is a second memorial and this one is in the actual river bed and appears to have been set up by Joshua himself. These 12 stones marked the spot where the priests stood with the Ark. Some writers have suggested that it is possible that these stones might be visible at times when the Jordan River was lower (as in a drought). Donald Campbell suggests that "This was apparently done on Joshua’s own initiative and expressed his desire to have a personal reminder of God’s faithfulness at the very beginning of the Conquest of Canaan." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament or Here) We sometimes need reminders of God’s love and of His action on our behalf. TSK - These words might be written by Joshua at the close of his life, or perhaps be added by some later prophet. It seems from this verse, that there were two sorts of stones erected as a memorial of this great event: twelve at Gilgal (ver. 20,) and twelve in the bed of the Jordan; which last might have been placed on a base of strong stone work, so high as always to be visible, and serve to mark the very spot where the priests stood with the ark. Drs. Kennicott and Shuckford, however, would read here with the Syriac, {mittoch,} "from the midst," instead of {bethoch,} "in the midst;" and render, "And Joshua took up the twelve stones (taken) from the midst of Jordan," etc. But this reading is unsupported by any MS. yet collated; and it appears wholly unnecessary. Rod Mattoon on memorials - 1. In Church—The Lord’s Supper has been instituted by the Lord. 2. Personally—Memories should be monuments. Memories such as: * the day you were saved. * the times when God answered your prayers or saw you through a trial. * miraculous provisions of God. 3. Nationally—Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of Christ. Easter time is a time of celebrating His resurrection. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate God’s provisions and blessings. (Treasures From Joshua) Some commentators see considerable symbolism in the 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan and the 12 stones on the shore (actually at Gilgal). While I am not absolutely convinced this was intended by the Spirit as an application, it is certainly possible, so here are the comments for your pondering as a good Berean (Acts 17:11)...
Josué 4
Vernon McGee - Now this section has great spiritual significance for us today. In an attempt to get the full significance of this, I am quoting from Phillips’ book (which is not a translation, but is an interpretation), Romans 6:1–4: “Now what is our response to be? Shall we sin to our heart’s content and see how far we can exploit the grace of God? What a ghastly thought! We, who have died to sin—how could we live in sin a moment longer?” Now when did we die to sin? “Have you forgotten that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were, by that very action, sharing in his death? We were dead and buried with him in baptism, so that just as he was raised from the dead by the splendid revelation of the Father’s power so we too might rise to life on a new plane altogether.” My friend, may I say to you that Christ went unto death for you and me, and that is set before us here in the Book of Joshua. Twelve stones were put into the water of death. Those twelve stones were placed in Jordan to speak of the death of Christ. And the twelve stones taken out of Jordan and put on the west bank represent the resurrection of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ died over 1,900 years ago, and Paul makes it clear in the sixth chapter of Romans that we are identified with Him in His death. It is too bad that the word baptize was transliterated and not translated. It is a Greek word baptizo, and its primary meaning here has no connection with water. It speaks of identification. We are identified with Christ in His death; and when He died, my friend, He died for us. His death was our death. When He arose from the dead, then we arose from the dead. And we are joined today to a living Christ. It is only in the measure that we are joined to Him that you and I can enjoy all spiritual blessings. I trust that you realize that. We have become identified with Him! (Joshua 4) Rod Mattoon (Treasures From Joshua) - Joshua not only took twelve stones out, but also put twelve stones in the Jordan where the priest stood. They are there to this day. The first memorial is one of sight … what is seen. The second memorial is one of faith … what is not seen. * The Death and the Resurrection of Christ was not seen by us. We accept it by faith. * Heaven has not been seen by us. We accept it by faith. One day our faith will be sight. * Hell has not been seen by us thank God. We too accept this by faith. We see another message in these stones. The stones in the river remind us of the death of Christ, being buried and hidden. The stones on the outside of the river speak of His resurrection. resurrection. The memorial stones would also protest against those who would try to cross back into the wilderness or return to Egypt. Christians do not need to go back into the old lifestyle either. God has given you power for victory. The worldliness of the believer causes the empty tomb of Jesus to cry out too! We have resurrection power to live the Christian life. The fact that the stones were covered in the midst of the river speak also of the old life that was buried and now they are to walk in newness of life (Romans 6). Unfortunately, many Christians get away from the Lord and go back to the old sinful lifestyle. Robert Robinson wrote the wonderful hymn, “Come, Thou Fount” when he was twenty-three years old. The third stanza of the hymn says, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” Robert was expressing a battle already taking place in his life, for later in his life Robert backslid and got far away from the Lord. While riding a stagecoach one day, a worldly Robinson heard a woman humming his hymn. She later engaged him in conversation and asked what he thought of the song. Robinson was broken and overcome with emotion and said to this lady, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago and I would give a thousand worlds if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had back then.” Sin doesn’t give, it takes. QUESTION - What is the significance of the stones of remembrance in Joshua 4:9? ANSWER - After the people of Israel supernaturally crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to “choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 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’” (Joshua 4:2–3, NLT). These stones of remembrance would serve as a permanent national reminder and a memorial to future generations of the miraculous river crossing. Joshua’s stones of remembrance are just one monument in a series of memorials commemorating the mighty acts of God on behalf of the people of Israel (Exodus 13:3–6; 24:4; Deuteronomy 27:1–8; Joshua 22:9–12; 24:24–28; 1 Samuel 7:12). To everyone else, the stones were just a heap of rubble, but to the people of God, they were a constant reminder that Yahweh was a personal and powerful God, working wonders on behalf of His people. When the people following Joshua arrived at the Jordan, the river was at flood stage, transforming it from its typical 100-foot width to a daunting mile-wide, raging river. Israel’s entrance into Canaan was completely blocked. But as soon as the priests dipped their feet in the river’s edge, God stopped the flow of water, and the people crossed on dry ground. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant stood in the middle of the riverbed until the whole nation had passed over (Joshua 3:14–17). Then God gave Joshua instructions to appoint twelve men, one from each tribe. The men were each to retrieve one stone from where the priests had stood in the riverbed bearing the ark of the covenant. The stones of remembrance were not to come from the shores of the Jordan but the center, spotlighting the fact that Israel had crossed over on dry land. Each of the stones of remembrance represented one of the tribes of Israel. The number twelve is repeated five times in Joshua 4:1–8, emphasizing the unity of the tribes as one nation under Joshua’s leadership. The twelve stones of remembrance would now serve as a perpetual sign and memorial. Joshua piled them up in Gilgal, where the Israelites set up camp. “Then Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘In the future your children will ask, “What do these stones mean?” Then you can tell them, “This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.” For the LORD your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the LORD your God forever’” (Joshua 4:21–24, NLT) Remembering the past plays a vital role in the identity of any nation. Sociologists claim that a society aspiring to endure must become “a community of memory and hope” (Waltke, B. K., “Joshua,” New Bible Commentary: 21st-century Edition, ed. by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, Inter-Varsity Press, 1994, p. 241). God repeatedly directed ancient Israel to set up monuments and enact rituals such as the Passover (Exodus 13—14). Each tribute marked a significant historical memory that would offer future hope for the nation that God had claimed as His own. Crossing the Jordan represented a major change for the nation of Israel. Their wilderness wanderings were over. No longer would Israel be fed with manna provided by the hand of God (Joshua 5:12). From now on, the people would need to walk by faith in God’s promise to give them a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). God sent the ark ahead of the people into the overflowing waters to encourage their faith. The ark represented God’s presence, His very self, going before them and opening the way for them in their new walk of faith. Just as God had parted the Red Sea to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt, so also would He spread open the Jordan to lead them into the Promised Land. Remembering God’s miraculous provision and presence gave the children of Israel the courage to follow Him into this new territory fraught with conflict and enemies to conquer. With stones of remembrance, the Israelites built a monument to commemorate their crossing over from the old way of life into the new in the Promised Land. The pile of twelve stones reminded Israel of what God had done for them—that He cared for His people, kept His promises, and went before them in victory to conquer the land of their inheritance. This is the message the stones declared to Israel, and this is what they say to us today. God is faithful. His promises never fail (1 Kings 8:56). With the assurance of His presence and the reminder of His mighty power, the Lord bolsters our faith whenever He asks us to follow Him into new areas of battle and conquest. We can let these stones remind us, too, that unless we step out in faith and get our feet wet as the priests did, we’ll never fully experience the new life of faith and freedom that Christ has opened up for us as our inheritance in Him (Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16). GotQuestions.org George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 9. Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan. As it is evident from the connexion that this was actually done by the twelve selected persons above mentioned, it is ascribed to Joshua only as commanding and superintending it, just as the building of the temple is ascribed to Solomon. Two sets of stones therefore were erected in memory of this miraculous passage, one at Gilgal, the other in the bed of Jordan. Should it be asked how the latter could serve as a monument, placed as they were in the middle of the stream, and liable to be concealed below the surface, we answer, that as nothing is said of their being each of them, like the others, of a size suitable for one man to carry, they might have been vastly larger, and so based upon a lower heap as to be generally visible, and thus indicate the very spot where the priests stood with the ark; for it is to be remarked, that the Jordan, at its ordinary stages, is not a deep river, and that its waters are remarkably clear and transparent, so that an object like this might probably always be seen except in the time of a high freshet. From the native force of the Heb. term for ‘set up,’ which is properly to ‘rear up,’ to erect,’ i. e. to raise to a considerable height, it may be reasonably inferred that they were placed so as to be ordinarily visible. In the place where the feet of the priests—stood. Heb. תחת מצב רגלי הכנים tahath malztzab raglë hakkohanim, under the standing-place of the feet of the priests. It was here that the stones were to be created but from whence they were taken is not said. From aught that appears in the text they might have been gathered in the adjacent fields, as some commentators have imagined. And they are there unto this day. Either the words of Joshua, who wrote this history near the close of his life, and about twenty years after the event occurred, or added at a subsequent period by Samuel or Ezra, or some other inspired man by whom the sacred canon was revised. Joshua 4:10 For the priests who carried the ark were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed 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; were standing in the middle of the Jordan: Jos 3:13,16,17 Isa 28:16 according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua: Nu 27:21-23 De 31:9 the people hurried and crossed: Ex 12:39 Ps 119:60 Pr 27:1 Ec 9:10 2Co 6:2 Heb 3:7,8 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ARK CARRIED BY PRIESTS PAVES THE WAY For the priests who carried the ark were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua - Recall that the people were required to maintain a distance of 2000 cubits from the priests and the Ark (Josh 3:4+). And the people hurried and crossed - Message - "no one dawdled!" The Hebrew word for hurried is mahar (see below) and the Lxx translates it with speudo meaning to do something as quickly as possible (used with this meaning in Acts 22:18). While some commentators feels hurried describes the ease with which the Israelites crossed (which is true), one can only imagine there was a sense of let's get a move on and get across this dried up river bed while it is still dry! Pulpit Commentary - This must have been a majestic sight. While the people “hasted” to cross, either that they might effect the passage during the day, or, more probably, because they crossed in fear and trembling, partly in spite of, and partly because of, the miraculous interposition on their behalf, the priests bearing the ark of God, the visible symbol of His presence, stood solemnly still at the brink of the river, nor did they stir until every one of that mighty host had passed over. Then, when all had safely crossed, the ark of God was borne across the bed of the river, and as soon as the soles of the priests touched the highest point that the waters had reached on the other side, they returned to their place, and all was as it had been before. Well might the Israelites erect a double memorial of a scene so wonderful as this! (Joshua 4 Exposition) Matthew Henry Concise Commentary - Verses 10-19. The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them. Hurried (04116)(mahar) 1) (Qal) to hasten 1a) (Niphal) to be hurried, be anxious 1a) hasty, precipitate, impetuous 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to hasten, make haste 1b2) hasten (used as adverb with another verb) 1b3) to hasten, prepare quickly, do quickly, bring quickly. Baker writes mahar is "A verb meaning to hurry, to do more quickly, to hasten. It has the sense always of doing something quickly, in a hurry, hastily, or even rashly because of being in haste: to hasten to a location (Gen. 18:6); to modify any other verb adverbially in its performance (Gen. 19:22; 24:18; Ex. 2:18; 1 Sam. 23:27; 1 Kgs. 22:9); the infinitive mahēr is used various times as an adverb (Ex. 32:8); lemahēr indicates haste (Ex. 12:33; 1 Chr. 12:8). Used of counsel, it means rash, headlong advice that is quickly and easily hindered (Job 5:13). In its participial form, it indicates persons who speak hastily, too quickly (Isa. 32:4; Hab. 1:6). Used with lēb, heart, it refers to an agitated heart full of anxiety (Isa. 35:4)." (The Complete Word Study Old Testament) Mahar - 60 verses - act quickly(1), anxious(1), bring quickly(2), bring...quickly(1), do quickly(1), haste(2), hasten(3), hastened(1), hastens(1), hastily(1), hasty(1), hurried(10), hurriedly(2), hurry(8), immediately(1), impetuous(1), impulsive(1), made haste(1), make haste(1), make speed(1), prepare(1), quickly(16), quickly thwarted(1), rapidly(1), soon(2), swift(3). Gen. 18:6; Gen. 18:7; Gen. 19:22; Gen. 24:18; Gen. 24:20; Gen. 24:46; Gen. 27:20; Gen. 41:32; Gen. 43:30; Gen. 44:11; Gen. 45:9; Gen. 45:13; Exod. 2:18; Exod. 10:16; Exod. 12:33; Exod. 34:8; Jos. 4:10; Jos. 8:14; Jos. 8:19; Jdg. 9:48; Jdg. 13:10; 1 Sam. 4:14; 1 Sam. 9:12; 1 Sam. 17:48; 1 Sam. 23:27; 1 Sam. 25:18; 1 Sam. 25:23; 1 Sam. 25:34; 1 Sam. 25:42; 1 Sam. 28:20; 1 Sam. 28:24; 2 Sam. 15:14; 2 Sam. 19:16; 1 Ki. 20:33; 1 Ki. 20:41; 1 Ki. 22:9; 2 Ki. 9:13; 1 Chr. 12:8; 2 Chr. 18:8; 2 Chr. 24:5; Est. 5:5; Est. 6:10; Job 5:13; Ps. 106:13; Prov. 1:16; Prov. 6:18; Prov. 7:23; Eccl. 5:2; Isa. 5:19; Isa. 8:1; Isa. 32:4; Isa. 35:4; Isa. 49:17; Isa. 51:14; Isa. 59:7; Jer. 9:18; Jer. 48:16; Nah. 2:5; Hab. 1:6; Mal. 3:5 George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 11. In the presence of the people. Who stood upon the bank beholding with admiration and awe the last act of this great miracle. Joshua 4:11 and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed before the people. the ark of the LORD : Jos 4:18 3:8,17 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE PRIESTS AND THE ARK WERE FIRST IN AND LAST OUT and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed before the people - NET = "the priests crossed ast the people looked on." NLT = "the priests crossed over with the Ark of the LORD as the people watched." The Ark of the covenant carried by the priests went first into the Jordan and after Israel had successfully crossed brought up the rear to speak. One gets the picture of the guiding, guarding hand of Jehovah before and behind the people. This recalls Moses' words in Dt 1:30 that "‘The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes." So one lesson the people should have received from the Ark going before and coming behind resulting respectfully in the opening and closing of the passageway (Josh 4:18), would be a strong reminder that He would not fail them nor forsake them in the next "impossible situation," that of the strong, equipped and experienced Canaanite military forces. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 12. Passed over armed before the children of Israel. The original phrase here is precisely the same with that rendered in the preceding verse, in ‘the presence of;’ and, as we conceive, does not clearly intimate that they led the van, for the order of marching of the different tribes had been expressly prescribed in the wilderness, Num. 10; and it is not probable that it was departed from on this occasion. According to this order the tribe of Judah had the precedence. What is affirmed of the two tribes and a half here, we suppose, is, that in pursuance of their promises, ch. 1:16–18, they passed over ‘in the presence’ of their brethren, who were thus all witnesses to their fidelity. Joshua 4:12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over in battle array before the sons of Israel, just as Moses had spoken to them; The sons of Reuben : Jos 1:14 Nu 32:20-32 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Joshua 1:14+ “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you (sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh) shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, THE TWO AND ONE-HALF TRIBES LEAD THE WAY ACROSS The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over in battle array before the sons of Israel, just as Moses had spoken to them - The first group into the land was this military force. Moses had spoken to them in Nu 32:20-32 (see notes). Unlike the other 9.5 tribes, these 2.5 tribes were not hampered with families and possessions (for their families remained on the east side) and so were more readily able to lead the way across. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 12. Passed over armed before the children of Israel. The original phrase here is precisely the same with that rendered in the preceding verse, in ‘the presence of;’ and, as we conceive, does not clearly intimate that they led the van, for the order of marching of the different tribes had been expressly prescribed in the wilderness, Num. 10; and it is not probable that it was departed from on this occasion. According to this order the tribe of Judah had the precedence. What is affirmed of the two tribes and a half here, we suppose, is, that in pursuance of their promises, ch. 1:16–18, they passed over ‘in the presence’ of their brethren, who were thus all witnesses to their fidelity. Joshua 4:13 about 40,000 equipped for war, crossed for battle before the LORD to the desert plains of Jericho. crossed for battle before the LORD , Eph 6:11 to the desert plains of Jericho: Jos 5:10 2Ki 25:5 Jer 39:5 52:8 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MEN FROM THE 2.5 TRIBES EQUIPPED FOR WAR About 40,000 equipped for war, crossed for battle before the LORD to the desert plains of Jericho - The 2.5 tribes fulfill their promise to Moses and Joshua (Joshua 1:12–16+). Note the emphasis on their military readiness - equipped for war...for battle. Notice also the phrase before the LORD picturing the forces marching in front of the Captain of the Hosts as if He was personally inspecting each warrior. When one compares the numbers of these 2.5 tribes with the census figures in Numbers 26:7, 18, 34, the total available males 20 years old and older would have been 136,930 men, so 40,000 men was only a representative number. This would assure that the women and children would have men to protect them into these men returned. And the 40,000 men from the 2.5 tribes would have had one goal and that was to fight and win the battles as quickly as possible so they could return to their families on the eastern side of the Jordan. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 13. Passed over before the Lord. That is, probably, before the ark of the Lord, the symbol of the Divine presence. Otherwise it may imply ‘as in the sight of the Lord,’ ‘religiously,’ ‘conscientiously.’ Joshua 4:14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life. the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel: Jos 1:16-18 Joshua 3:7 1Co 10:2 so that they revered him: Ex 14:31 1Sa 12:18 1Ki 3:28 2Ch 30:12 Pr 24:21 Ro 13:4 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Joshua 1:16-18+ They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18 “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.” Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED YAHWEH EXALTS JOSHUA On that day the LORD exalted (brought honor to) Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered (ESV - stood in awe of) him, just as they had revered (respected or stood in awe of) Moses all the days of his life - NLT say "for the rest of his life they revered him as much as they had revered Moses." Yahweh's exaltation of Joshua was the fulfillment of His promise in Joshua 3:7+.... "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you." George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 14. Magnified Joshua. Caused him to stand high in the esteem and respect of the people, so that they henceforth yielded to him the same reverential fear and ready obedience which they had done to Moses. God now fully confirmed his authority, and showed that He was with him. That honor is ever most to be desired which is the result of a strict, conscientious, and uniform observance of all the Divine precepts. They feared him as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. The ‘his’ here may refer either to Joshua or to Moses. The latter is most accordant with the Heb. accents, and it avoids, moreover, a certain air of incongruity in the letter of the text, as if the Israelites on that day feared Joshua all the days of his life. Joshua 4:15 Now the LORD said to Joshua, Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Now the LORD said to Joshua - Part one of the conquest was finished. God true to His word to not leave or forsake Joshua now gives him additional instructions. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 15. The Lord spake unto Joshua, saying. This may be rendered ‘had spoken,’ and the whole paragraph, v. 15–19, be considered as a detailed account of what is stated more generally, v. 11. These verses seem designed to acquaint us with the main ground or reason to which, under God, it was owing that Joshua was so signally magnified on that occasion. ‘The priests did not quit their station till Joshua, who had commanded them thither, ordered them thence; nor did he thus order them till the Lord commanded him: so obedient were all parties to the word of God.’ Scott. Joshua 4:16 "Command the priests who carry the ark of the testimony that they come up from the Jordan." Jos 3:3-6 Ex 25:16-22 Rev 11:19 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOSHUA COMMANDED TO COMMAND Command the priests who carry the ark of the testimony that they come up from the Jordan - Obedience to this command would complete the miracle and show it was not coincidence but supernatural. Joshua 4:17 So Joshua commanded the priests, saying, "Come up from the Jordan." Come up: Ge 8:16-18 Da 3:26 Ac 16:23,35-39 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Joshua commanded the priests, saying, "Come up from the Jordan - The command come up is the Hebrew verb alah which means to go up or ascend and is rendered in the Lxx with the verb ekbaino (only in Heb 11:15 in NT). Joshua 4:18 It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before. the soles: Jos 3:13,15 that the waters: Ex 14:26-31 and went over all its banks, Jos 3:15 1Ch 12:15 Isa 8:8 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 14:26-31 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained. 29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. THE JORDAN RETURNS TO FLOOD STAGE It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before - This timing is clear evidence that it was a supernatural event, a miraculous work of Yahweh. The fact that the soles of the priests had been the instrument God used to shut off and restart the flow of the Jordan would have been a vivid illustration to the people of their need to depend on the priests but even more to depend on the LORD. The return of the Jordan to flood stage meant there was no return for the nation now. No Turning Back - Have you ever heard the expression “burn the boats”? It comes from 1519 during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, when Hernán Cortés the Spanish commander, scuttled his ships so that his men would have to conquer or die. Basically, he created a point of no return for himself and his men. Alexander