![]() Joshua explained to the people the reason for this: They were to carry the stones to the shore and “leave them in the lodging place” (Josh 4:3) where they would spend the night.Įach of the twelve men carried a stone upon his shoulder and did as Joshua instructed. Each man would select a stone from the dry ground in the midst of the riverbed “where the priests’ feet stood firm,” (Josh 4:3). God instructed Joshua that, when the people reached the other side of the Jordan, he was to appoint a man from every tribe (twelve men, Josh 4:2). Once again it was to be a memorial built with stones. God commanded that their crossing-over the river Jordan was to be memorialized with a memorial on the shore of the Jordan. A Memorial to Safe Passage and a New Beginning This safe passage into the Promised Land is symbolic of our safe passage into Heaven because we belong to Jesus who is our Ark and He withheld the flood of God’s judgment from us by taking it upon Himself on the cross. Typologically, this was an example of the Ark (representing God) going before them and hold back the waters (a symbol of God’s judgment). They were to stop in the midst of the riverbed and allow the people to cross over to the other side on dry ground. With the waters parted, the priests were instructed to walk halfway across, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. God gave clear instructions about how the river crossing would take place. Just as God had parted the Red Sea and delivered His people out of bondage in Egypt, He also parted the waters of the Jordan and delivered His people from the wilderness wandering into the land the He had promised. Joshua chapter 3 tells of God miraculously leading His people through the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Perhaps no stone memorial is as well known as the stones at Gilgal, on the shore of the Jordan-a memorial of 12 stones piled high to memorialize who God is and His deliverance of His people from the wilderness into the Promised Land (Joshua 4). ![]() Stone 6: A Stone of Foundation and Victory-Jesus, My Banner This week…Stone #7 Stone 5: A Stone of Precious Promise-Jesus, My Rock Stone 4: A “Mizpah” Stone of Blessing-and God’s faithful watch in Genesis Stone 2: A Stone of Rest-a pillow of comfort in Genesis Stone 1: A Stone and a Name-in Genesis and Exodus Throughout the Bible, stones have had great significance. These “stones” will “teach” us and help us remember our God. Instead of a weapon of judgment, we will “pick up” stones that will be stones of instruction. ![]() We know that stones were used as an instrument of capital punishment in Israel, but this series of articles considers stones in a different light. It’s about a stone memorial on the shore of the Jordan. This is the seventh in a series of articles about stones in the Bible.
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