Milestones and Memorials
#6 in Series: "Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future"
(A Study in the Book of Joshua)
History is a goldmine… We have the opportunity to learn from the past, lessons that can help us in the present, and prepare us for the future. Generations who have come before us, can be a rich resource of experience and knowledge, that we don't have the luxury of time to experience on our own… Does that make sense?... In other words, it benefits us to be willing to learn from others – both from their successes, and failures – from their victories and defeats… We don't have to experience every sin, to learn the devastating consequences of those sins, just … pay attention to its effect upon others – even its effect in history!
I can only pray that the Lord in His grace would spare our nation from going down the road of so many nations in history who … thwarted God's ways – embraced flagrant, sinful ways – and whose history came to an end as a result!... We are throwing away the blessings of God with both hands when we flip the standards around!... We are living in the time of –
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
If we are wise, we will learn from the those who have preceded us, and avoid these pitfalls!...
Our study of the book of Joshua brings us to chapter 4 today… We are learning from the lives and experiences of those who were the generation to transition from the wilderness wanderings, cross the Jordan, and begin possessing the Land of Promise…
God has raised up Joshua to be the leader to follow in the footsteps of Moses. He has already given the command to cross over the Jordan, and as we saw last week, that experience came only by the miraculous work of God in stopping the flow of the Jordan, and drying up the riverbed so that this nation of Israel could cross over into the Promised Land in one day!... Now we come to what happens during, and after the crossing…
You heard chapter 4 read just a few moments ago. Now let's peruse the passage, and seek to glean what the Lord has preserved for us to learn here…
We begin with a lesson that generation needed to learn – a lesson we too need to know, and that is –
1. The Need to Remember
Let's review the first seven verses –
Joshua 4:1
Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan,
[pause there for a moment… God's Word did not have chapter divisions for centuries… Those were later added to help us get to the same passage of Scripture quickly. And here we are at the beginning of a chapter, that we should understand is closely tied to the previous chapter…
Consider the end of chapter 3 for a moment –
Joshua 3:14-17
14 So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), 16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
And now, the opening verse of chapter 4 again –
Joshua 4:1
Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan…
Why re-state what had just happened?... It is because Joshua is making the point that we need to understand that this was truly a monumental event! (pun intended)... Only the oldest ones in this generation would remember a similar event, when 40 years prior, the nation of Israel crossed over the Red Sea "on dry ground" (Exo. 14:21-31) – only after the Lord had performed a similar miracle in parting the water, and drying up the bed!
That was the event getting Israel out of Egypt… This is the event getting Israel into the Promised Land!... This event is to be marked, and remembered! That is why the Lord has Joshua to give them the following instructions –
Joshua 4:1-7
1 Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, 3 and command them, saying, 'Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.'" 4 So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; 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. 6 Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' 7 then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."
The monument raised was marking more than a milestone – that they had crossed — it was marking a memory stone / a memorial, to not forget this milestone!
Let's continue –
Joshua 4:8-9
8 Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, just as the Lord spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel; and they carried them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing, and they are there to this day.
Some have noted that the pillar of stones erected in the middle of the Jordan, could be seen from the shoreline on occasion… There were times when the Jordan would get very low – just like many of the rivers you have seen. At those times, this memorial would become visible, and those who saw it would immediately be reminded of this great event which God had accomplished!...
Joshua makes the comment that they still remained there at the writing of this book… Arthur Pink wrote a very indepth, and interesting commentary on the book of Joshua. In his chapter on our chapter today, he wrote –
A.W. Pink – "That monument of stones was designed first as a 'sign' unto Israel. It was a message for their hearts via their eyes rather than ears. It was an enduring sermon in stone. It spoke of the goodness and power of God exercised on their behalf at the Jordan… That cairn of stones was to signify that Israel had not crossed the Jordan by their own ability, but because of the miracle-working power of God. It was a representation unto them that they had passed through the river's bed dryshod. More especially, it was an earnest and pledge of what God would yet do for them."
Let's continue –
Joshua 4:10-11
10 For the priests who carried the ark were standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed 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; 11 and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed before the people.
What comes next, in just a couple of verses, are the details that Joshua required of the two and half tribes that would settle back in the east side of the Jordan River - remember?... The Lord required that the nation of Israel would remain united in their quest to possess the Promised Land. Let's think about –
2. The Requirement to Participate
These two and half tribes were to commit … fighting men for the military! Read the next two verses –
Joshua 4:12-13
12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over in battle array before the sons of Israel, just as Moses had spoken to them; 13 about 40,000 equipped for war, crossed for battle before the Lord to the desert plains of Jericho.
These men were the "Marines" of Israel! They were the "front-line" troops!...
The point is, they too were committed to … seeing this thing through! Even though their families, along with many other strong men, were still on the east side of the Jordan, those tribes were a part of the big "Tribe"! They were a part, a "committed" part, of the nation of Israel!
Listen, there is a principle here that was not only true of Israel, but is an ongoing requirement for the church – it is the principle of … unity!
Unity is a precious gift of God. When the Lord brings a couple together in marriage, there is a special unity that no other human relationship can match… When the Lord redeems a people to Himself, and puts them in a church, there is a special unity that no group organization, or social construct can match!
The unity of God's people is a gift… But it is a gift that is to be protected!... As we will see later in the book of Joshua, their unity will be challenged… That too is a truth we see throughout church history, and the history of just about every local church that I have known anything about – the unity God gives is … hated by Satan and the world, and it is subject to attack… Attack from within, and without!...
Listen, your commitment to the Lord – your passionate love for Him – your faithfulness to Him – will equip and guard your heart and mind when the attacks against that unity come!
And just like the two and half tribes that settled on the east side of the Jordan – you are required to … participate in facing the challenges that will come, and to be committed to guarding and protecting the unity God has given!
There is a requirement to participate… Next, we see –
3. The Expectation of Respect
Look at verse :14 –
Joshua 4:14
On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life.
The term "revered" is a strong word… The Hebrew word that is translated "revered" here, is found over 300 times in the OT… Listen to the other words by which it is more often translated: "fear", "afraid", "terrible", and "dreadful"... It is certainly not always in a negative sense. In positive contexts, it has the idea of standing in "awe", even "reverence, honor, and respect"...
This is a legitimate respect that the people are giving to their leader… The Lord has already vindicated His man in the eyes of His people several times… They are now to recognize that the Lord is indeed with Joshua, just as He had been with Moses!
Let's remind ourselves of how it is they come to "respect" Moses in the first place. Write down –
Exodus 14:31
When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.
Notice, their confidence – their belief in the man was due to their confidence and belief in God!
Let's review what we saw back in chapter 1 of our study –
Joshua 1:16-18
16 They answered Joshua, saying, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18 Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous."
This is something that many leaders want, but do not deserve!... But Joshua "deserved" it, and the Lord required it! It is right, and reasonable that genuine respect for leadership is to be expected!...
This attitude toward leadership, especially the leadership that God has ordained to serve in government, is supposed to be one of respect and honor!
Write this reference down –
Romans 13:7
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
As the adage says; "Confession is good for the soul, but bad for the reputation"... I have been guilty of failing to honor legitimate government authority… God's people are expected by the Lord to give "honor to whom honor" is due… Listen, pray for your leaders. If they don't trust the Lord, obey, and follow Him … replace them! We have limitations when it comes to civil authorities in our government, but there are no such limitations when it comes to the church! Pray for, encourage, and follow them … as they follow the Word of God, or replace them if they don't! But the default mode is … respect God's leaders.
As we continue in our perusal through Joshua 4, we come to see –
4. The Demonstration of Sovereignty
This is a demonstration of Divine sovereignty!... God is in control of what is happening… In fact, let me restate that slightly differently. God is in control of what happens!
Let's see it here –
Joshua 4:15-18
15 Now the Lord said to Joshua, 16 "Command the priests who carry the ark of the testimony that they come up from the Jordan." 17 So Joshua commanded the priests, saying, "Come up from the Jordan." 18 It came about when the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come up from the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up to the dry ground, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks as before.
Things unfolded just as God had promised – just as God had prescribed!... There was nothing that the world, the flesh, or the devil could do to stop it!... This turning of the page in the history of Israel has finally come – the long-awaited for – the long prayed for! God has led the way! He has "opened the door" that no man could shut!
And as Alexander Maclaren said –
Alexander Maclaren – "Retreat was impossible now. A new page in their history was turned. The desert was as unreachable as Egypt."
… How is it that the events happened just as they happened?... The only answer is – the sovereignty of God!
We need to lean into this concept a little more… Too many Christians are … uncomfortable with the truth that God is Soveriegn… For whatever reason, people want to reserve for themselves some sense of personal sovereignty… The popular term is personal autonomy… The idea that one can, and should be able to do whatever they want to do, and if anything, or anyone denies them that privilege, then they are somehow being oppressed… Listen, that thinking comes from the pit… The sooner one learns that they are not God, the better! The better for them, and the better for everyone around them!
God is God! The sooner one comes to that truth, the better. They are well on the road to possibly coming to know Him as God, which results in all the blessings that come from that "properly aligned" relationship!
Let me quote a lady, who speaks of this truth with accuracy – despite all the objections that her own experience may have wanted to raise – and despite how many of her followers may object to this truth – Joni Eareckson Tada is right when she wrote –
Joni Eareckson Tada – "Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control. His sovereignty is absolute. Everything that happens is uniquely ordained by God. Sovereignty is a weighty thing to ascribe to the nature and character of God. Yet if He were not sovereign, He would not be God. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens."
Amen Joni!...
What we see next in our text, is what we will call –
5. An Assigned Responsibility
There is a two-fold responsibility in the balance of our text today… The first is the responsibility –
To inform the next generation
Let's look carefully –
Joshua 4:19-23
19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho.
20 Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' 22 then you shall inform your children, saying, 'Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed;
Everything being said here, is for the benefit of the coming generations… Verse :19 tells us when this crossing occurred.
Joshua 4:19
19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho.
David Guzik writes that –
David Guzik – "According to Exodus 12:2-3, Israel was to begin their celebration of Passover on this day. This was the day lambs were selected for sacrifice and kept with the household until the fourteenth day of the first month (Exodus 12:3-6). Passover celebrated Israel's exit from Egypt, and they entered Canaan on the anniversary of that event."
We also learn where they set up camp in the Land of Promise – they –
Joshua 4:19-20
19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. [and notice] 20 Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
From that very day, Gilgal became a very strategic, and important place in Israel's history!
Listen to Wiersbe's commentary here –
Warren Wiersbe – "Gilgal was about two miles from Jericho and excluding the Transjordan was the first territory in Canaan claimed by Israel for their inheritance. In later years Gilgal became an important center for the nation Israel crowned their first king at Gilgal (1 Sam. 11); there David was welcomed back after Absalom's rebellion was subdued (2 Sam. 19); and Samuel thought Gilgal important enough to include it in his 'ministry circuit' (1 Sam. 7:16). There was a 'school of the prophets' at Gilgal in the days of Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:1–2; 4:38). Gilgal was important to Joshua because it became his camp and center of operations (Josh. 9:6; 10:6, 15, 43; 14:6)."
Now, this information is important – but let's not miss the main point in the text!... The Lord assigns the responsibility to make sure coming generations understand what God did for them on that day!
Joshua 4:21-23
21 He said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' 22 then you shall inform your children, saying, 'Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed;
I find it interesting that there is so much detail in these few verses… Why would Joshua … "spell it out"?... It is because people have the tendency to forget what we should remember (and remember what we should forget, for that matter)...
If one generation of God's specially chosen people … drifts, the next generation will drown – drown in the cesspool of a godless society!... It is important to … inform the next generation of the truth of God – His Word – their history!
And get this … and let me personalize this for us … our children are not the only ones God's people are to evangelize!... Israel then – and Christians now – have been charged by God –
To embrace a global mission
Let's look at verse :24 –
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."
The nation of Israel was charged with responsibility to share the truth of God, not just with their children, but with the world! They were to do this, so "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty"...
Notice the end of the verse… their obedience to this command is designed to strengthen their faith as well… "so that you may fear the Lord your God forever."
You can look up the famous "Great Commission" passages –
(Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, John 20:21, Acts 1:8)
– in the NT, and we see that Christians are given this same assigned responsibility!
What is it that kept Israel then, or the church now from seeing this fulfilled?... Now, I know God is in control, and we've already established that nothing – nothing will interfere with His agenda and timing!... I'm talking about this from our side of the equation! We have been given the God-given responsibility to "embrace a global mission"! What keeps us from embracing it, as we should?...
I'm afraid the answer to that question is the same answer for the Israelites of old… People get their eyes off of the Lord, and His Kingdom, and focus more on their own agenda, instead of His!... It happened to Israel in the years that followed!
Listen to Wiersbe's commentary here… It's longer that what appears in your notes, but it is worth our time –
Warren Wiersbe – "It's unfortunate that this memorial at Gilgal gradually lost its spiritual meaning and instead became a shrine where the Jews sinned against God by worshipping there. The prophet Hosea condemned the people for worshipping at Gilgal instead of at Jerusalem (Hos. 4:15; 9:15; 12:11), and Amos echoed his warnings (Amos 4:4; 5:5). Unless we teach the next generation the truth about the Lord, they will turn away and start following the world."
Wiersbe went on to offer another warning –
Warren Wiersbe – "There is nothing wrong with memorials, provided they don't become religious idols that turn our hearts from God, and provided they don't so link us to the past that we fail to serve God in the present. Glorifying the past is a good way to petrify the present and rob the church of power. The next generations need reminders of what God has done in history, but these reminders must also strengthen their faith and draw them closer to the Lord."
Whenever we study God's Word, we are to approach it with a receptive heart, as well as a teachable mind… The Lord gives us His Word, not to merely inform us, but to transform us…
What are the transformative principles you will seek to apply from out text today?... How are you sharing the truths about the Lord with the next generation … with the world around you?
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What do you think is significant about the taking of 12 stones from the middle of the riverbed to erect the memorial on the shore? What does the fact that someone from each tribe was to carry a stone signify?
- What do you suppose is the significance of Joshua setting up a second set of twelve stones in the middle of the riverbed (:9) in addition to the ones at Gilgal?
- What is the historical significance of the location of Gilgal?
- What is the significance of the crossing occurring on the tenth day of the first month (verse 19), and how does this link to the Passover?
- How does the narrative show God exalting Joshua in the sight of the people (:14), and how can this be applied to modern leadership?
- What does the phrase "the hand of the Lord is mighty" (:24) mean, and how have you seen this manifested in your life?
- How can we ensure that the stories of God's work in our lives are passed down to our children, as required in this chapter?
- How can believers today create "stones of remembrance" to commemorate God's faithfulness in our own lives?
- What is the "assignment" in verse :24, and what are the results the Lord says will come?
- What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared in the message?
A.W. Pink – "That monument of stones was designed first as a 'sign' unto Israel. It was a message for their hearts via their eyes rather than ears. It was an enduring sermon in stone. It spoke of the goodness and power of God exercised on their behalf at the Jordan… That cairn of stones was to signify that Israel had not crossed the Jordan by their own ability, but because of the miracle-working power of God. It was a representation unto them that they had passed through the river's bed dryshod. More especially, it was an earnest and pledge of what God would yet do for them."
Alexander Maclaren – "Retreat was impossible now. A new page in their history was turned. The desert was as unreachable as Egypt."
Joni Eareckson Tada – "Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control. His sovereignty is absolute. Everything that happens is uniquely ordained by God. Sovereignty is a weighty thing to ascribe to the nature and character of God. Yet if He were not sovereign, He would not be God. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens."
David Guzik – "According to Exodus 12:2-3, Israel was to begin their celebration of Passover on this day. This was the day lambs were selected for sacrifice and kept with the household until the fourteenth day of the first month (Exodus 12:3-6). Passover celebrated Israel's exit from Egypt, and they entered Canaan on the anniversary of that event."
Warren Wiersbe – "Gilgal was about two miles from Jericho and excluding the Transjordan was the first territory in Canaan claimed by Israel for their inheritance. In later years Gilgal became an important center for the nation Israel crowned their first king at Gilgal (1 Sam. 11); there David was welcomed back after Absalom's rebellion was subdued (2 Sam. 19); and Samuel thought Gilgal important enough to include it in his 'ministry circuit' (1 Sam. 7:16). There was a 'school of the prophets' at Gilgal in the days of Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:1–2; 4:38). Gilgal was important to Joshua because it became his camp and center of operations (Josh. 9:6; 10:6, 15, 43; 14:6)."
Warren Wiersbe – "It's unfortunate that this memorial at Gilgal gradually lost its spiritual meaning and instead became a shrine where the Jews sinned against God by worshipping there. The prophet Hosea condemned the people for worshipping at Gilgal instead of at Jerusalem (Hos. 4:15; 9:15; 12:11), and Amos echoed his warnings (Amos 4:4; 5:5). Unless we teach the next generation the truth about the Lord, they will turn away and start following the world."
Warren Wiersbe – "There is nothing wrong with memorials, provided they don't become religious idols that turn our hearts from God, and provided they don't so link us to the past that we fail to serve God in the present. Glorifying the past is a good way to petrify the present and rob the church of power. The next generations need reminders of what God has done in history, but these reminders must also strengthen their faith and draw them closer to the Lord."
