“And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel.”
Joshua 4:5 is part of the narrative describing the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua, following the death of Moses. Let’s delve into the context and significance of this verse.
In the preceding verses, God had commanded Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River as a memorial of their crossing. These stones were to be set up as a visual reminder of God’s mighty act of delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and leading them into the Promised Land.
In Joshua 4:5, Joshua addresses the twelve chosen men and instructs them to pass over before the Ark of the Lord, which symbolized the presence of God, into the midst of the Jordan River. Their task was to gather a stone each and carry it on their shoulder. The number of stones matched the number of tribes of the children of Israel.
This action carried significant symbolism and served multiple purposes:
Memorial: The stones were intended to serve as a memorial for future generations. Joshua later explains that when the children of Israel ask about the meaning of these stones, they can recount the story of how God miraculously dried up the Jordan River so that they could pass through on dry ground (Joshua 4:6-7). It was a tangible representation of God’s faithfulness and deliverance.
Testimony and Witness: By setting up the stones as a memorial, the Israelites would have a physical testimony to share with others. This act served as a witness to the surrounding nations that the God of Israel is powerful and able to perform miraculous acts on behalf of His people.
Reminder of God’s Presence: The Ark of the Lord was a sacred object that represented the presence of God among the Israelites. By passing before the Ark and carrying the stones, the twelve men were acknowledging and honoring God’s presence and authority in their midst.
Unity and Representation: The twelve stones gathered from the Jordan River symbolized the unity of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe was represented, signifying that the entire nation was crossing into the Promised Land together.
This verse highlights the importance of remembrance, testimony, and acknowledging God’s presence. It encourages us to remember and commemorate the significant acts of God in our lives, both individually and collectively. Just as the Israelites set up the stones as a memorial, we can establish reminders of God’s faithfulness and provision in our lives to strengthen our faith and serve as a witness to others.
In conclusion, Joshua 4:5 captures the instructions given by Joshua to the twelve chosen men to gather stones from the Jordan River. These stones were set up as a memorial to remind future generations of God’s faithfulness and deliverance. The verse emphasizes the significance of remembrance, testimony, unity, and acknowledging God’s presence in our lives.