Joshua 4
Joshua 4 recounts the moment when the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. God instructs Joshua to have twelve men, one from each tribe, take stones from the riverbed as a memorial. This chapter emphasizes the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness and miraculous deeds.
Joshua 4:1-5 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying:
2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe,
3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe;
5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel,
God instructs Joshua to have twelve men, one from each tribe, gather stones from the Jordan River where the priests had stood as the people crossed. The stones would serve as a memorial to remind future generations of the miraculous crossing. The number twelve represents the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing unity and the shared heritage of the entire nation. The stones were not only physical reminders but also testimonies of God’s power and faithfulness.
Joshua 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’
7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
These verses highlight the purpose of the memorial stones. They were to serve as a sign for future generations. When children would ask about the stones, the Israelites were to explain how God miraculously stopped the Jordan’s waters, allowing them to cross on dry ground. This memory was intended to strengthen their faith and remind them of God’s ongoing presence and support.
Joshua 4:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished 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 over.
The Israelites obey Joshua’s instructions, gathering twelve stones from the river. Joshua also sets up another memorial of stones within the river itself. This dual memorial underscores the importance of remembering God’s acts both publicly (with the stones carried to the camp) and privately (with the stones left in the river). The priests stood firm until all the people had crossed, showing how God’s presence held back the waters, ensuring safe passage for the entire nation.
Joshua 4:11-14 (NKJV)
11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.
12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them.
13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho.
14 On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.
Once everyone had crossed, the priests carrying the ark followed. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh crossed over armed for battle, showing their readiness to support their fellow tribes. About forty thousand warriors crossed in total, indicating the seriousness of the conquest ahead. The chapter emphasizes that, as a result of this miraculous event, God elevated Joshua’s status among the people, confirming his leadership just as He had done with Moses.
Joshua 4:15-18 (NKJV)
15 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying,
16 “Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.”
17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.”
18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before.
After all had crossed, God instructed Joshua to command the priests to come out of the river. As soon as the priests carrying the ark set foot on dry land, the river returned to its normal flow, even overflowing its banks. This miraculous timing underscores God’s control over nature and His direct involvement in Israel’s journey. The returning waters symbolize the closure of this particular chapter of Israel’s wilderness wanderings and their entrance into the Promised Land.
Joshua 4:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal.
The Israelites arrived at Gilgal, where they set up camp after crossing the Jordan. Gilgal would become a significant place for Israel as a base of operations for their conquest of the land. Joshua set up the twelve stones there as a memorial, reinforcing the importance of remembering God’s deliverance and provision as they prepared to take possession of the land.
Joshua 4:21-24 (NKJV)
21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’
22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’;
23 for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over,
24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Joshua emphasizes that the memorial stones would spark questions from future generations, giving parents an opportunity to recount the story of God’s power. Just as God parted the Red Sea for their ancestors, He parted the Jordan for them, showing His consistency in delivering His people. The stones were meant to serve as a testimony to all nations about God’s power, calling Israel to reverence and trust in Him forever.