Joshua 4:1 - Meaning and Application

We can easily imagine how busy Joshua and all the men of war were as they crossed the Jordan. They were not only marching into enemy land, but doing it in full view of their foes. On top of that, they had their wives, children, families, cattle, tents, and all their belongings to get across by this strange and unused path. The way was likely muddy or rocky, hard for the weak and frightening for the fearful, with a steep descent into the river bed and a steep climb out again. Every man must have had his mind full of care and his hands full of work, and Joshua more than any of them.

Yet, in the middle of all that rush, care had to be taken to preserve the memory of this great work of God. That concern could not be put off until a quieter time. We learn that no matter how much business we have for ourselves and our families, we must not neglect what we owe to God's glory and honor, because that is our best work. God gave orders for the memorial to be prepared. If Joshua had done it on his own, it might have looked like he was trying to secure his own name and honor. But because God himself appointed it, the memorial carried sacred weight for later generations.

God's works of wonder should be kept in lasting memory, and wise means should be used to preserve them. Some Israelites who crossed the Jordan may have been so dull and ungrateful that they felt no care to remember it. Others may have been so deeply moved that they thought no monument was needed, because every Israelite's heart and tongue would keep it alive forever. But God knew human weakness, and how quickly they were likely to forget his works. So he provided a way for this event to be remembered through all generations, even by those who would not read the record in Scripture. The monument would also support the truth of the event and stand as evidence for later ages that might doubt it.

A monument was to be set up, and Joshua, as the chief commander, had to give direction about it. This happened after all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, with not even the weakest left behind, so God's work was fully done and every Israelite was safely in Canaan. Then God spoke to Joshua and told him to provide the materials for this memorial. It is a reasonable guess, as Bishop Patrick suggests, that Joshua had gone apart to give thanks at once for this great mercy, and then God met him and spoke to him there. Or God may have given these instructions through Eleazar the priest, since God had appointed Eleazar to seek guidance for Joshua through the judgment of Urim, so that Joshua and all Israel would go out and come in by his word (Numbers 27:21).

One chosen man from each tribe had to be used in preparing the memorial, so each tribe would hear the story through one of their own and also help honor God in the matter. Not only the Levites, but every Israelite must help, in his own place, make known God's mighty acts (Psalm 145:12). Even the two tribes already settled in their inheritance were to join in this memorial, since they shared in the mercy.

The stones for the memorial were to be taken from the middle of the channel, probably from among many large stones there, and as close as possible to the place where the priests stood with the ark (Joshua 4:3, Joshua 4:5). Such a monument would have deserved finely cut stones, shaped with great skill, but stones from the river bed were better for showing the miracle. Let later generations know from these stones that Jordan had been driven back, because these very stones were taken out of it. In setting up signs, God always chose what was most fitting and meaningful, not what was showy or fancy, for God has chosen the foolish things of the world. These twelve men, after crossing over, were sent back to the place where the ark stood, being allowed to come near it for this service, though others could not. They were told, "Pass over before the ark" (Joshua 4:5), meaning, go into the presence of the ark, now standing in the middle of Jordan, and bring these stones from there.

The purpose of these stones was also clearly appointed, as a sign and a memorial (Joshua 4:6, Joshua 4:7). They would prompt children, in future years, to ask their parents, "How did these stones get here?" Probably the land around there was not rocky, so the stones would stand out. Then parents would explain, as they themselves had been taught, that in this very place Jordan was divided by the almighty power of God to let Israel enter Canaan, as Joshua explains more fully later (verse 22 and following).

According to these orders, the work was done. Twelve stones were taken from the middle of Jordan and carried, in full view of the people, to the place where they camped that night (verse 8). It is likely that the stones were as large as they could safely carry and as nearly alike as possible in size and shape. We cannot be sure whether they left with them right away or stayed to wait on the ark and keep pace with its solemn procession, so as to honor its triumphant entrance into Canaan. By telling them to take up these stones, God was, in a sense, giving them possession of the good land. It was now truly theirs, and they were to enter and take hold of it. So what those twelve men did is spoken of as what all the Israelites did (verse 8), because they represented their tribes.

In this, we may think of our Lord Jesus, our Joshua, who overcame the sharpness of death and dried up that Jordan, opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers. He appointed his twelve apostles, matching the number of the tribes of Israel, to pass on the knowledge of this gospel memorial to distant places and future ages.

It was likely piled up so high, as a heap or pillar, that people could see the top when the water was low. Even when the river was deep, the stones may have been visible under the clear water, or at least the water would have broken around them in a way that people could notice. Boatmen would then steer around it, as they do around a rock. In some way, the stones could be recognized and would mark the very place where the ark stood.

This would also serve as a second memorial, beside the one set up on dry land at Gilgal, to strengthen the witness and keep the memory alive. When God gives a sign twice, the matter is surely confirmed.