Josué 4
Wayne Barber · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 4
Barber comments "The way in which the Bible records the entrance of the Israelites into the Promised Land leaves us with the impression that it was accomplished with relative ease. Like complimentary bookends the text of Scripture reads: “Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed” (Josh 3:1). This is followed by “and when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan …” (Josh 4:1 NASB). Little space is given to the logistics involved." (Joshua: A Devotional Exposition) Now when - Young's Literal has "and it cometh to pass." Joshua had obeyed and the nation had obeyed and crossed and now he receives new revelation. There is a principle - obedience to the truth read will lead to greater illumination. John 7:17 says “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself." All the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying - This verse repeats almost the same words as in Joshua 3:17 "all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan." Clearly the Spirit wanted this point emphasized. Israel was now in the Promised Land. Notice that Yahweh is giving Joshua his instructions/commands step by step. Matthew Henry Concise Commentary - Verses 1-9. The works of the Lord are so worthy of remembrance, and the heart of man is so prone to forget them, that various methods are needful to refresh our memories, for the glory of God, our advantage, and that of our children. God gave orders for preparing this memorial. Wayne Barber on remember - The word “remember” is used 168 times in Scripture. Think it might be important? The word “remind” is used 9 times, so 177 times from Genesis to Revelation, God uses that very thought; to remember, to be reminded. I don’t know about you, but the hardest lessons I’m having to learn are the ones I thought I already knew. You see, it’s interesting, God can do great things in our life, and then we turn right around and act as if He doesn’t even exist Brian Harbour - Praise is the spontaneous response of a child of God to an expression of God’s grace. However, it’s easy for us to forget that what we are and what we have are results of what God has done for us. We need tangible reminders in our lives to give praise to God continually. What we need, the Israelites needed as well. That explains what happened in chapter 4. Joshua 4:1-9 Stones Of Remembrance My old Bible isn't in one piece anymore. Its once gilt-edged pages are worn with the work of time and my fingers. Bible drills and youthful exuberance have given this tattered copy of the sacred Scriptures more character than any other book in my office. Despite its condition, I can still read two poignant scribblings from my youth. One quote reads, "This Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book." The other, written when I was 18, says, "God's will is also my will. Whatever He says to do, that's what I'll do." The Israelites of Joshua's day placed "stones of remembrance" by the Jordan River. They were to remind their children of the remarkable providence of God as He guided His chosen people into the land of promise. Like those stones, the statements I penned in my Bible long ago keep calling me back to important truths. They recall my own journey from childhood to the present as God has directed me through His Word to know His will. The Bible stands like a rock undaunted 'Mid the raging storms of time; Its pages burn with the truth eternal, And they glow with a light sublime. --Lillenas © Renewal 1945 Hope Publishing Company The Word of God is a map to help us chart our course through life Irving Jensen - A survey of Joshua 3 and 4 reveals the underlying intent of the historical record of Israel’s movements at this time. The following chart will be helpful in understanding the basic organization—somewhat hidden—of these two chapters: (Rest-Land Won Everyman's Bible Commentaries) JOSHUA 3:1–5:1 3:1-17 4:1-14 4:15-4:18 4:19-5:1 Crossing the Jordan Camping at Gilgal People 12 Leaders Priests All Leadership Prominent Here Strength Prominent Here Joshua 4:2 "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, twelve men: Jos 3:12 Nu 1:4-15 13:2 34:18 De 1:23 1Ki 18:31 Mt 10:1-5 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Joshua 3:12+ “Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe. ONE MAN TAKEN FROM THE 12 TRIBES Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe - This same command was given in Joshua 3:12 but it was not explained at that time. Apparently the 12 had already been chosen. Even though 2.5 tribes would occupy the land on the eastern side of the Jordan, the 12 men from each tribe symbolized the unity of the nation.
Josué 4
Barber points out that "In reality, two memorials were set up, the one at Gilgal and the other in the River Jordan...The memorial at Gilgal commemorated what happened, and the memorial in the River Jordan commemorated where it happened. In the past our nation’s leaders have erected memorials to great men and women, and some memorials have commemorated events in our nation’s history. For example, visitors to our nation’s capital are shown the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Grave of the Unknown Soldier, and much more. These memorials serve as reminders of our heritage. And our calendars pinpoint other important events—Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Reformation Sunday, Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve followed by New Year’s Day—to name only a few. And to these events each of us adds the birthdays of those nearest and dearest to us, as well as our anniversary and the anniversaries of family members. All remind us of God’s goodness. (Joshua: A Devotional Exposition) Note the repetition of the location the middle of the Jordan - 6x in 6v- Josh 4:3 Josh 4:5 Josh 4:8 Josh 4:9, Josh 4:10, Josh 4:18 (cf Josh 3:17). Other words repeated in Joshua 4 are priests 8 times (in 7v), the Ark 7 times (in 7v), what do these stones mean 2 times and the LORD 14 times (in 12v). George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 3. Command ye them. Another instance of the phraseology noticed above. Joshua is addressed conjointly with the people, or, perhaps, rather with the officers, and required to give the annexed order. Leave them in the lodging-place where ye shall lodge this night. This was Gilgal, as appears from v. 19, 20, a place somewhat more than six miles from the river Jordan. Joshua 4:4 So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; whom he had appointed: Jos 4:2 Mk 3:14-19 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries UNHESITATING OBEDIENCE So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe - Note that Joshua obeys the LORD without hesitation. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 4. Whom he had prepared. Whom he had before chosen and appointed to that work, with a command that they should hold themselves in readiness for it. The stones were probably each of them as large as one man could conveniently carry. Joshua 4:5 and Joshua said to them, "Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle 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. Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries RETRIEVAL OF TWELVE STONES And Joshua said to them, "Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle 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 - These would have been fairly large stones since they would be carried on their shoulder. Is is appropriate that they were to select their stones from the place where the Ark was located as it is the Ark (the LORD) which is the reason they were able to cross. As the following passages show, the stones serve two purposes (1) an educational tool concerning their deliverance by God and (2) a testimony to all nations of the greatness of God. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 5. Pass over before the ark. These twelve men had probably hitherto remained, from motives of reverence, somewhat behind the ark, perhaps near to the eastern bank of the river. They are now commanded to advance, and picking up the stones near the place where the priests stood, to ‘pass over before the ark,’ and thus emerge from the bed of Jordan, and when arrived to deposit the stones in the place commanded. Otherwise the words must be understood to imply, that after passing over with the congregation, the twelve men were to pass back again to the place where the ark stood, and thence transport the stones; which we cannot but regard as a violent construction. Joshua 4:6 "Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' a sign: Jos 22:27 Ex 12:14 13:9 31:13 Nu 16:38 Isa 55:13 Eze 20:12,20 when your: Jos 4:21 Ex 12:26,27 13:14 De 6:20,21 11:19 Ps 44:1 71:18 78:3-8 Isa 38:19 Ac 2:39 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 12:26-27 “And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ 27you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped. Exodus 13:8-9, 14 You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 “And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. (13:14) “And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:20-24 “When your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What do the testimonies and the statutes and the judgments mean which the LORD our God commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and the LORD brought us from Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 ‘Moreover, the LORD showed great and distressing signs and wonders before our eyes against Egypt, Pharaoh and all his household; 23 He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers.’ 24“So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. TWELVE STONES SERVE AS A MEMORIAL SIGN Let this be a sign ('oth) among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you - The 12 stacked stones would be a visible reminder of God's faithfulness and His power to keep His promises. The importance of teaching one's children about Yahweh's faithfulness and power cannot be overemphasized. THOUGHT - If we as parents do not tell them about God and Jesus, they certainly will not hear it in our post-Christian, essentially pagan society, in America. How are you doing parents? Don't leave it totally up to the Sunday School teachers. Your children need to hear about Jesus from your personal experience. After all, they are daily witnessing the reality of your testimony, while they only have an hour with the Sunday School teachers. Of course this begs the question, does my life match the testimony of my lips? Children are very observant! FORGETFULNESS - We all tend to forget things (at 75 I should know!), including things accomplished by God. Little wonder that in Moses' "lecture" to the second generation he repeatedly alluded to their potential to forget God. Ponder some of Moses' repeated warnings about forgetfulness (at least 8 in Deuteronomy) - Deut. 4:9; Deut. 4:23; Deut. 4:31 = (THIS ONE SPEAKS OF GOD'S "GOOD MEMORY!"); Deut. 6:12; Deut. 8:11; Deut. 8:14; Deut. 8:19; Deut. 9:7; Deut. 25:19 Cyril Barber - The key to sound parenting is threefold: It is made up of involvement, modeling, and instruction. If our children have been reared in an atmosphere of respect, where they are encouraged to voice their opinions, then their inquiring minds will lead them to ask questions; and each question will give us the opportunity to teach them truths they otherwise might not learn. Unfortunately we often look upon our children’s questions as distractions from whatever we are doing, and so miss an opportunity to cultivate their God-given curiosity. (Joshua: A Devotional Exposition) J
Josué 4
Barber - Further information about the parenting process is found in 4:23–24, and this highlights the importance of our instruction. All too often we look upon history as boring, for when we took history courses in school or college we were required to memorize endless dates and seemingly unrelated facts. Here, a father’s teaching of his child was to be grounded in personal experience as well as a knowledge of the past (4:23); and what child will not sit with rapt attention as his father recounts in simple terms the trials faced by Odysseus as he tried repeatedly to get back to his beloved Penelope or the courage of the early pioneers as they opened up the western frontier. (Joshua: A Devotional Exposition) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 4 23. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you. The parents are still supposed to be speaking to their children. It is remarkable that they address them as if they were living and present at the miraculous passage of the Jordan, whereas they then existed only in the loins of their fathers. But it is not uncommon for the sacred writers to speak of the nation of Israel, through every period of its existence, as if they were but of one generation, so that what really happened to those that lived at one age, is said to have happened to those that lived at another, perhaps far remote. This gives us a very impressive idea of the light in which God viewed that people, viz., as morally one, as one great collective person continually subsisting. Thus Ps. 66:6, the writer speaks as if he and his contemporaries were personally present at the passage of the Red Sea, ‘He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot; there did we rejoice in him,’ though this happened ages before their time. So also our Saviour speaks as if the Jews of his day were living in the days of Moses, John 6:32, ‘Verily I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven.’ On the same principle Joshua speaks here. The Red Sea, which he dried up from before us. This is another instance of the usage just adverted to. He speaks of the Red Sea’s being dried up from before the people whom he then addressed, whereas none of that generation were now living except himself and Caleb, the rest of them having perished in the wilderness through unbelief and rebellion. It is also to be remarked, that this passage through the Jordan being here said to have been accomplished in the same manner with that through the Red Sea, the inference is legitimate, that the waters of that sea were actually divided like those of the river, and that they did not merely retire from the shore, as some have supposed. Joshua 4:24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever." all the peoples: Ex 9:16 De 28:10 1Sa 17:46 1Ki 8:42,43 2Ki 5:15 19:19 Ps 106:8 Da 3:26-29 4:34,35 6:26,27 that: Ex 15:16 1Ch 29:12 Ps 89:13 so that you may fear the LORD: Ex 14:31 20:20 De 6:2 Ps 76:6-8 89:7 Jer 10:6,7 32:40 Joshua 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 9:16+ “But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you (Pharaoh) to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. Deuteronomy 28:10+ “So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you. Psalm 106:8 Nevertheless (Ps 106:7) He saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power known. Deuteronomy 3:24 ‘O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. FAR REACHING EFFECT OF THE TESTIMONY That all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty (chazaq), so that you may fear the LORD your God forever - The supernatural crossing of the Jordan served to corroborate Israel's supernatural crossing of the Red Sea and destruction of the Egyptian army 40 years earlier. We will see in the next verse, Joshua 5:1, that these events had gained the full attention of all the pagan kings of the Promised Land! Note the two fold purpose of the miracle of the Jordan river crossing - first to the world to know the power of Yahweh and second to Israel to fear Yahweh (in a reverential sense). Mighty (chazaq) is translated in the Lxx with dunamis meaning power especially intrinsic power or inherent ability, to bring about miracles. In Joshua 14:11 Caleb uses it to describe himself and in Joshua 17:18 it describes the Canaanite iron chariots as strong.
Josué 4
Barber - The “fear of the Lord” (i.e., living in reverential awe of God) involves two polar thoughts. The one is repulsion and the other is attraction. When Peter began to understand who the Lord Jesus is, he said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Lk 5:8+) Later on, when some of the disciples were leaving Christ, He asked the twelve, “Will you also go away.” To this Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go, for you have the words of eternal life” (cf John 6:66–68). In these two statements we have the ideas of repulsion and attraction.(Joshua: A Devotional Exposition) Related Resource: The Fear of the Lord The Believer's Study Bible - All the events since the plagues in Egypt had been intended to glorify the Lord to all the peoples of the earth. The emphasis in the OT is on Israel, but the Lord never loses sight of His purpose to bless "all the peoples of the earth" (Ge 1:28; Ge 12:3; Ex. 9:14-16; Ex14:31). Dale Ralph Davis concludes this section noting that "There can be no doubt about the thrust of these chapters nor about the teaching Israel was to derive from this event. Joshua's preaching in Joshua 4:21-24 drives home the major point. Yahweh has done it again! He has put the Jordan River on the map of faith along with the Red Sea—so that gentile observers might have clear proof of his might and Israel might reverently and continually submit to his sway." (Focus on the Bible Commentary – Joshua: No Falling Words) Mighty (02389)(chazaq) means “strong” in the sense of “powerful” (including the power to resist) and is used both of God and of men. It occurs frequently with the nouns “arm” and “hand” to stand for “power,” “strength” or “force.” For example, it describes the saving power of God in rescuing his people from Egypt with a strong hand and a mighty arm (Exo. 3:19; 13:9; 32:11). It likewise describes the strong arm of Pharaoh (Ezek. 30:22), as well as the marvels wrought by God through the agency of Moses (Deut. 34:12). It describes the hardened faces and foreheads of the house of Israel, symbolizing their stubbornness and refusal to listen to the word of God as communicated through his prophets. Chāzāq is used to depict nouns as varied as the sword, the wind and the trumpet. During the Exodus of the Israelites, the same adjective occurs, this time describing the west wind which parts the waters, allowing the chosen people to pass dry-shod through the Red Sea (Exo. 14:21). And, in the account of Moses preparing to receive the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai during his journey to the Promised Land, the same adjective is used to convey the increasing volume of the shofar which resounded on the mountain (Exo. 19:16). War, sickness and famine are all described by chāzāq: Saul’s battle against the Philistines (1 Sam. 14:52), the serious illness of the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Ki. 17:17), and the severity of the famine which rages throughout Samaria (1 Ki. 18:2). Chazaq - compulsion*(3), fiercest(1), hard(2), harder(1), loud(1), might(1), mighty(20), obstinate*(1), powerful(1), severe(3), stalwart(1), strong(19), stubborn*(1), who is strong(1), who was stronger(1). Ex 3:19; Ex 6:1; Ex 10:19; Exod. 13:9; Exod. 19:16; Exod. 32:11; Num. 13:18; Num. 13:31; Num. 20:20; Deut. 3:24; Deut. 4:34; Deut. 5:15; Deut. 6:21; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 7:19; Deut. 9:26; Deut. 11:2; Deut. 26:8; Deut. 34:12; Jos. 4:24; Jos. 14:11; Jos. 17:18; Jdg. 18:26; 1 Sam. 14:52; 2 Sam. 11:15; 1 Ki. 8:42; 1 Ki. 17:17; 1 Ki. 18:2; 1 Ki. 19:11; 2 Chr. 6:32; Neh. 1:10; Job 5:15; Job 37:18; Ps. 35:10; Ps. 136:12; Prov. 23:11; Isa. 27:1; Isa. 28:2; Isa. 40:10; Jer. 21:5; Jer. 31:11; Jer. 32:21; Jer. 50:34; Ezek. 2:4; Ezek. 3:7; Ezek. 3:8; Ezek. 3:9; Ezek. 3:14; Ezek. 20:33; Ezek. 20:34; Ezek. 26:17; Ezek. 30:22; Ezek. 34:16; Dan. 9:15; Amos 2:14 Hampton Keathley - Meaning of the Memorial Sign (1) A Memorial Sign to promote encouragement and reverence in all Israel and for all time (Joshua 4:6a, 7b, 24b). The name Gilgal comes from a word which means “a wheel,” which in turns comes from a word, ga„lal, which means “to roll some object on, upon, away, against, from, unto.” Gilgal means either “a rolling” or “a circle of stones.” So, every time Israel would return to Gilgal they would see the circles of stones and remember what God had done to role away the reproach of Egypt (note Josh. 5:9 which uses the verb ga„lal). The very site of the stones was to be an encouragement, but also a reminder of the sovereign power of the Lord over nations and creation so they might fear the Lord forever and remain faithful to their purpose in the plan of God. (Compare Ex. 19:4-6; Deut. 4:1-9.) (2) A Memorial Sign to promote instruction to future generations (Joshua 4:6b-7, 21-23). In two places in the chapter, covering five verses, parents are reminded of their responsibility for the communication of God’s Word and His calling on their children, generation to generation. Parents dare not and cannot abdicate this to others. God charges parents with this privilege and responsibility. (Compare: Deut. 4:9; 6:6f; and Judges 2:1f; 3:1-7; 8:34; 21:25.) (3) A Memorial Sign of testimony to other nations (Joshua 4:24a). Here God was again reminding Israel of her purpose as a nation of priests (Ex. 19:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9-11). The application to us should be obvious. Christians are living stones of a holy temple, living memorials of the power of God. But we too face the threat of forgetting the Lord by forgetting our pilgrim character through preoccupation with the world. By way of application, what are some of the things we regularly do and are called to do that form memorials of the saving grace of God and our calling as believers in Christ? • Weekly assembling ourselves together (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:17ff; Heb. 10:23-25). • Taking the Lord’s supper, specifically aimed at remembering Him just as were the various feasts and special days like the Passover. • Special services at various times of the year like Christmas, New Years, Easter, form wonderful times to focus on the Lord and to make this real in the lives of our children. • By our daily personal time in the Word, through care groups, and fellowship with others. (Joshua 3:1-4:24 Crossing the Jordan) D L Moody memorialized his mother at her funeral - At the funeral services he offered the most affectionate tribute to that mother’s wisdom and loving devotion. Holding in his hands the old family Bible and the worn book of devotions, he stood by the form of the departed one, and said: “It is not the custom, perhaps, for a son to take part in such an occasion, but, if I can control myself, I should like to say a few words. It is a great honor to be the son of such a mother. I do not know where to begin; I could not praise her enough. In the first place, my mother was a very wise woman. In one sense she was wiser than Solomon; she knew how to bring up her children. She had nine children, and they all loved their home. She won their hearts and their affections; she could do anything with them. “Whenever I wanted real, sound counsel, I used to go to my mother. I have travelled a good deal, and have seen a good many mothers, but I never saw one who had such tact as she had. She so bound her children to her that it was a great calamity for them to have to leave home. I had two brothers that lived in Kansas and died there. Their great longing was to get back to their mother. My brother, who died in Kansas a short time ago, had been looking over the Greenfield papers for some time to see if he could not buy a farm in this locality. He had a good farm where he was, but he was never satisfied; he wanted to get back to mother. That is the way she won her family, she won them to herself. “I have heard something within the last forty-eight hours that nearly broke my heart. My eldest sister has told me that the first year after my father died mother wept herself to sleep every night. Yet she was always bright and cheerful in the presence of her children. Her sorrows drove her to the Lord. I would frequently wake up and hear her praying. She used to make sure her children were all asleep before she poured out her tears. “There was another remarkable thing about my mother. If she loved one child more than another, no one ever found it out. Isaiah, he was her first boy; she could not get along without Isaiah. And Cornelia, she was her first girl; she could not get along without Cornelia, for she had to take care of the twins. And George, she couldn’t live without George. What could she ever have done without George? He stayed right by her, through thick and thin. She couldn’t live without George. And Edwin, he bore the name of her husband. And Dwight, I don’t know what she thought of him. And Luther, he was the dearest of all, because he had to go away to live. He was always homesick to get back to mother. And Warren, he was the youngest when father died; it seemed as if he was dearer than all the rest. And Sam and Lizzie, the twins, they were the light of her great sorrow. “She never complained of her children. It is a great thing to have such a mother, and I feel like standing up here to-day to praise her. And just here I want to say, before I forget it, you don’t know how she appreciated the kindness which was shown her in those early days of struggle. Sometimes I would come home and say, ‘Such a man did so and so,’ and she would answer, ‘Don’t say that, Dwight; he was kind to me.’ “Friends, it is not a time of mourning. I want you to understand we do not mourn. We are proud that we had such a mother. We have a wonderful legacy left us. What more can I say? You have lived with her, and you know about her. I want to give you one verse, her creed. It was very short. Do you know what it was? I will tell you. When everything went against her, this was her stay: ‘My trust is in God.’ ” (The Life of Dwight L Moody) REVIVAL D Martyn-Lloyd Jones Expecting Revival Related Mp3 Audio Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones preached 24 messages on revival - Click to listen to all 24 messages including the audios of the messages below (Listen especially if you are in need of personal revival! And most of us are beloved! Sin is incessant and invariably seeks to take us down, to take us out of the life of revival in which we experience rest, freedom, power, communion, etc. And so it follows that revival is not "one and done," but is to be our lifestyle, our "Maranatha Mindset," until we finally, fully come face to face with our Bridegroom, the One Who brings us eternal bliss, "eternal revival" in glory!). 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? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 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: 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 (Josh. 4:21–24). We have up to this point, been considering the hindrances and the obstacles to revival, because obviously that is where we must of necessity begin. But that is not sufficient. Though we start there and realise that there are certain conditions and certain rules that must always be observed it is not enough that we stop there. We must go beyond that point, because if we do not we shall end in discouragement. Having examined ourselves, having seen the situation as it is, we see that the problem is surely and certainly one with which no human power is adequate to deal. It is because so many fail to see this that they are still bustling and busying with their various activities and organisations. There is no hope until we come to the end of that. The situation is such that man is impotent to deal with it. And that is why I say that we should rejoice in the fact that we can go on together now to look at this whole subject positively and a little more directly. I would remind you again that this very question of the need of revival is of vital importance to the Christian Church, and the minds and prayers of Christian people throughout the world should be channelled and directed into the matter of this urgent need. I am going to quote some words by Albert Barnes, a famous expositor in the last century, because they seem to me to put this thing so perfectly. He wrote like this: That day which shall convince the great body of professing Christians of the reality and desirableness of revivals will constitute a new era in the history of religion and will precede manifestations of power like that of Pentecost. I am certain that that is absolutely right! The greatest problem confronting us in the Church today is that the vast majority of professing Christians are not convinced of the ‘reality and the desirableness of revivals’. As I have pointed out, this is a subject that has scarcely been mentioned. Men and women have been so busy in other directions that they have not even thought of it, still less prayed urgently for it. And yet, as Albert