Joshua Chapter 4
Evidence of faith in God is often to take the first step forward and then watch God work. That is exactly what happened with the Israelites. The Levitical priests had to take the first step into the Jordan River and then God did the rest. God caused the waters to recede so that they could cross to the other side. The priests were the first to step into the water carrying the Ark of the Covenant, and they were the last ones to walk out.
Twelve men, one from each tribe, were instructed to pick up a large rock from the middle of the river where the priests were standing and to carry them to the other side for a memorial. It seems that Joshua himself got involved. He too created a memorial in the middle of the river, stacking twelve stones on top of each other. When the times of a low water level occurred in the river, the stack of rocks would have been more visible. Joshua wanted to remember and mark the spot of crossing where God had performed a miracle for them.
Let's Reflect
1. We learned in the previous chapter that the place of their crossing of the Jordan was across from the city of Jericho. When they had crossed over the Jordan, they did not rush to conquer Jericho, but under Joshua’s command they were going to take some time to rest and to bask in the glory of God. Verse 3 tells us that once the whole tribe of Israel crossed they would lodge (set up their tents). According to verse 19 what was the place called where they camped and where was this place in relation to Jericho?
2. The priests were the first men to step into the Jordan. The second set of men were the twelve men with the special task of picking up large rocks to create a memorial. What did Joshua tell them the purpose of the rocks were for?
3. The third group of people to pass over is listed in verse 12. Although it is a little out of order in the narrative of the story. It is easy to see why this third group would have crossed before the rest of the people of Israel since they were not encumbered with livestock and family. Who were the men of the third group who entered the Jordan?
4. The third group was prepared to do battle. How many were there in that group? (Note: this number is only about a third of the total numbered as being of fighting age as seen in Numbers 26. We can assume that the other men were allowed to stay behind to protect their families and territory.)
5. The fourth group to cross over were all of the rest of the people of Israel. What does verse 10 say about their crossing of the Jordan?
6. The mantle had been passed to Joshua from Moses to lead the people to the promised land. The crossing of the Jordan became the event that God caused the people to look at Joshua in a whole new way. God had raised up a new leader. What does the Bible say about how the people now looked at Joshua?
7. As soon as the priests came up out of the Jordan riverbed what happened?
8. At their encampment at Gilgal, the twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, were constructed into a monument. What was the purpose of the stone monument? Have you ever considered making a monument or having a place to record the different times God has done great things in your life that should be remembered? It’s not too late to start.
