The story of the stones of remembrance in Joshua 4:9 offers rich insight into God’s workings and purposes for His people. After crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, Joshua commanded one man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to take a stone from the middle of the Jordan, where the priests had stood with the Ark of the Covenant, and carry it to the place where they would camp that night (Joshua 4:1-3). Joshua told them:
“When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” (Joshua 4:6-7)
The twelve stones were set up at Gilgal as a memorial sign to remind future generations of God’s mighty works in bringing Israel into the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19-24). By His power, God cut off the waters of the Jordan River so His people could walk across on dry ground, just as He had parted the Red Sea for their deliverance from Egypt forty years earlier. The memorial stones would testify to God’s ongoing faithfulness and serve as a teaching tool to instill faith in future generations.
Several key insights emerge from this account:
- God wants His people to remember His wondrous works. The stones were specifically intended as an aid to remembrance. God knows our tendency to forget and wants to ensure we pass on memory of His acts across generations.
- Remembrance fuels faith. As children asked about the meaning of the stones, the reminder of God’s power would reinforce belief in Him. Remembrance keeps alive our confident assurance in the Lord.
- God involves His people in commemorating His works. The leaders of each tribe participated by carrying a stone from the Jordan for the memorial. God desires our active partnership in establishing meaningful reminders.
- Physical symbols can enhance remembrance. The pile of twelve stones provided a visual cue that triggered recollection of God’s miraculous works. Tangible memorials like communion elements or water baptism utilize physical objects to aid memory.
- Remembrance cultivates gratitude and praise. As God’s people reflected on His mighty acts for their benefit, it would stir up thankfulness and worship. Remembrance keeps our hearts overflowing with praise for God’s demonstrated power and care.
- Remembering strengthens faith for future challenges. Faith in new generations would be bolstered as they leaned on past evidences of God’s greatness. Remembrance builds confidence to trust God with present and future obstacles.
- God patiently continues His mission across generations. The memorial stones depict God’s long-term commitment to complete His purposes over centuries. He perseveringly forms each generation into faithful followers.
- Leaders must champion remembrance. Joshua initiated this memorial so God’s works would remain known. Christian leaders today also carry responsibility to actively foster communal remembrance of the Lord.
The twelve memorial stones settled into the Promised Land remind us that what God has done in the past, He is able to do again. Just as He demonstrated His power by parting the Jordan River, He can intervene powerfully in our lives today. Remembrance fuels our faith, strengthens our resolve, overflows our gratitude, and centers our mission around proclaiming His eternal power and love.
The memorial stones also point ultimately to Jesus Christ, the cornerstone and solid rock of our faith. Peter draws a parallel between Noah’s ark being brought safely through the flood waters to the promised land and our experience of salvation through the waters of baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21). And Paul tells the Corinthians they were baptized into Christ and in their passage through the sea drank from the spiritual drink that was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). The Jordan crossing and memorial stones foreshadowed the saving work of Jesus, who leads us safely to the promised heavenly land.
Remembering Christ’s death for us through the broken bread and cup in communion serves as a memorial stone for the new covenant. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus told His disciples (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The best remembrance of all is reflecting on Jesus’ incredible sacrifice that delivers us from slavery to sin and death into eternal life with God. Everything God did for ancient Israel was pointing towards the coming of His Son, the ultimate deliverer and savior.
Just as the memorial stones reminded the Israelites of God’s faithfulness in the past and pointed them towards trust and obedience in their uncertain future, remembering Christ’s work builds faith and obedience into our lives today. Reflecting on God’s mighty acts throughout history fosters reverent awe at His steadfast love and miracle-working power that continues on our behalf, generation after generation. The stones cry out a resounding message: “God was at work here! Remember and believe!”
