Joshua 4:5

And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:

Joshua 4:5 (KJV)

Context

Joshua 4:5 is part of the narrative describing the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River under Joshua’s leadership, following the death of Moses. In the preceding verses, God had commanded Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan as a memorial. Here Joshua addresses those chosen men and instructs them to pass over before the Ark of the Lord—which symbolized God’s presence—into the midst of the river. Each man was to take up a stone upon his shoulder, the number of stones matching the number of the tribes of Israel.

Meaning

The action carried deep significance. The stones were 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 how God miraculously dried up the Jordan River so that they could pass through on dry ground. The memorial was a tangible representation of God’s faithfulness and deliverance.

The stones also served as a testimony and witness. By setting them up, the Israelites would have a physical reminder to share with others, demonstrating to surrounding nations that the God of Israel is powerful and able to perform miraculous acts on behalf of His people.

Passing before the Ark acknowledged and honored God’s presence and authority. The Ark was a sacred object representing God’s presence among His people, and the twelve men’s obedience in carrying the stones underscored their reverence for Him.

The twelve stones 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 unity was essential as they prepared to possess the land God had promised.

Biblical connections

The crossing of the Jordan echoes the earlier parting of the Red Sea, demonstrating God’s continued power and faithfulness. Just as He dried up the Red Sea to deliver Israel from Egypt, He dried up the Jordan to bring them into the Promised Land, confirming His presence with Joshua as He had been with Moses.

Application

This verse highlights the importance of remembrance, testimony, and acknowledging God’s presence. It encourages believers to remember and commemorate the significant acts of God in their lives, both individually and collectively. Just as the Israelites set up stones as a memorial, we can establish reminders of God’s faithfulness and provision to strengthen our faith and serve as a witness to others.

Reflection

Joshua 4:5 captures Joshua’s instructions 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.