 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Joshua commentaries
Joshua 1:1-9
God’s Commission to Joshua
Joshua 1:10-18
The Order to Cross the Jordan
Joshua 2:1-11
Rahab Hides the Spies
Joshua 2:12-24
The Spies Promise to Protect Rahab
Joshua 3:1-17
Crossing the Jordan
Joshua 4:1-14
Two Memorials of Stone are built
Joshua 4:15-24
A Reminder to Future Generations
Joshua 5:1-15
Preparing for Victory
Joshua 6:1-14
The Destruction of Jericho
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
A Reminder to Future Generations
Joshua 4:15–24
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
I have often heard Jack Wyrtzen say, “With many organizations there is a man, there is a movement and then there is a monument.” He would followup by saying, “With Word of Life we don’t want any monuments,” meaning it is presently an exciting, vibrant, soul wi … More
Men are always building monuments to memorialize the achievements of man. But where are the monuments to display the goodness and greatness of God? In this passage we find just such a memorial as it points to the crossing of the multitudes of Israelites as they passed over the dry river bed of the Jordan when it was at flood stage (vv. 22-24). There is nothing wrong with memorials, provided they don’t become religious idols that turn our hearts from God.
Joshua was told by God to direct 12 previously chosen men to carry 12 stones from the river bed to Gilgal, which was about 2 miles from Jericho. With these stones they were to build a memorial which would be a vivid reminder of God’s work of deliverance (v. 19-22). The real purpose was to remind Israel for generations to come that it was God who brought them over the Jordan River on dry land, just as he had taken their fathers through the Red Sea (vv. 23-24).
In the Jewish home a father was not to send his children to some Levite or religious leader to get his questions answered, but was to answer it himself. How much better it would be today if Christian parents would answer the questions of their children instead of sending them to a Sunday School Teacher or Pastor for the answer. Christian parents have absolutely no right to forfeit their God given responsibility to teach their children concerning the faithfulness and power of God (Deut. 6:4-9). Is it any wonder that parents who refuse to accept their responsibility are losing their children to the world and the devil?
Application
Just as the Lord gave Israel experiences to look back on that would strengthen their faith in the future, so he wants to do with me. He gives me experiences today that will strengthen my faith when I need it tomorrow.
Joshua 4:15-24 (English Standard Version)
And the LORD said to Joshua, "Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan." So Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan." And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before. The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.