Joshua 4 – Brandon Hatmaker “Remember”
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Joshua 4 gives an amazing illustration of God’s direct leading of the nation of Israel, in the Life of Joshua, and in the life of the Priests who were a part of the crossing of the River Jordan. There are several challenges and life lessons found throughout this chapter. The first is obviously about the continued faith that we’ve seen reflected also in each of the first three chapters of Joshua. They continued to follow God. He continuously was found faithful.
The Second is a calling to remember God’s provision. We see this through the stones they were called to take from the river bottom, “Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." – Joshua 4:5-7
They were called to remember. To remember God’s faithfulness. To not allow it to escape their minds. God knew there would be times of trial ahead, times they might begin to question the presence of God, but he told them to remember. We need to do the same. It’s amazing how quickly, in times of trial, we can clear the slate in the area of remembering all that God has done for us. Then doubt creeps in. The greatest way to fight this temptation is to recall His greatness.
But not only did he call them to remember, but to also pass it along from generation to generation. Verse 21 tells us that, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'”
Verse 24 reminds us that, “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."
Father, you have proven yourself over and over. Give us a faith that recalls your faithfulness. May we be faithful to passing along this faith to our children and our children’s children. And may we have action that accompanies that faith, through Your strength and your perspective. Amen.
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As I was reading this chapter, what struck me is that each of these guys had to "take up a stone on his shoulder" before building that altar of remembrance.
ReplyDeleteGod could have directed them to pick up smaller rocks, make a memorial out of mud on the riverbank, or etch some stuff on a hillside. But the instruction was to pick what seems to be big, heavy stones and carry them across a wide river to the camp.
Sometimes the very moments that precede victory exact a price on us, even when God's hand is the one doing the work. He blesses us with an opportunity to sweat and bleed and exert ourselves a little bit along with him to truly share in the victory.
"...But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering." - Romans 8:17b
They did what they were told. That was the thought that hit me when I first read this chapter. The men, Joshua included, did what God told them to do. They didn't debate or think it out or go through a committee. The just did it. I think that speaks volumes about the closeness of the relationship Joshua had with God and Joshua had with the people. There were no doubts or questions. They just did what they were told. They didn't say if this is You God then do this to prove it. How I pray for that kind of relationship.
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