Joshua Chapter 4
Memorial Stones
A. Crossing the Jordan River is finished, and the ark of the covenant comes from the midst of the river.
1. (Joshua 4:1–9) After the nation crosses over, God commands Joshua to set up a memorial of the crossing.
“And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight. Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe. And Joshua said to them, Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, What do these stones mean to you. Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off, and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel for ever. And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood, and they are there to this day.”
a. When all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan: Israel now stood within the land God had promised to their fathers. This was not an entrance into ease or perpetual rest, but into warfare, obedience, and deeper dependence upon the Lord. The Promised Land was a place of victory only if they continued to walk by faith. God brought them across miraculously so they would understand that the same God who opened the river must be trusted to conquer the enemies ahead. Before Israel would raise a sword against Jericho, God first dealt with their hearts, establishing His presence and His authority among them, because inward spiritual victory must precede outward conquest.
b. Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm: God commanded one man from each tribe to lift a large stone from the dry riverbed, from the exact spot where the priests, bearing the ark of the covenant, stood as the waters were held back. These stones were not random, they were taken from the very place where God displayed His power. Each tribe would contribute to this testimony, showing that all Israel was united in God’s deliverance.
c. That this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come: The memorial was designed with future generations in mind. When children would see the stones and ask about their meaning, parents were to explain how the Lord dried up the Jordan before the ark of His covenant. God knows how quickly people forget His works, so He established a visible, permanent reminder. Faith is strengthened when we remember God’s past faithfulness. Many spiritual failures come because believers forget what God has already done. Likewise, children often grow up with weak faith because they have never been taught the reality of God’s power in their family’s life.
d. Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan: Joshua also constructed a second memorial within the river itself at the very place the priests had stood. These stones would not always be visible, but during seasons when the river ran low, they would testify that God once stopped the waters completely. This memorial in the depths of the river served as a silent witness, reminding Israel that even when the river flowed normally again, God had done a work there that must never be forgotten. In times of spiritual drought, when faith seems low and circumstances are dry, God’s people must look back and remember His mighty acts to anchor their hearts in His unchanging faithfulness.
2. (Joshua 4:10–18) The nation passes over, the priests come through, and the Jordan returns to its normal flow.
“So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua, and the people hurried and crossed over. Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho. On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life. Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come up from the Jordan. And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.”
a. So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished: The priests remained standing in the riverbed, holding the ark of the covenant, until the very last Israelite had crossed. The ark represented the presence of the Lord among His people, and it was His presence that made the crossing possible. Not one step was taken apart from God going before them. Their safety and success were not due to human strength or planning, but because God Himself held back the floodwaters. The people hurried across, not out of fear of the waters returning, but out of reverence and urgency to obey God while His path was open.
b. And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel: These were the tribes who had chosen to settle on the east side of the Jordan, where the land was suitable for their livestock. Even though their families and possessions remained east of the river, about forty thousand of their fighting men marched at the front lines to help their brethren possess the land, just as they had vowed to Moses. This act demonstrated unity, loyalty, and obedience to the covenant made before God. They did not seek comfort while their brothers went to battle; they honored their word and fought alongside the rest of Israel.
c. On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel: Just as God had promised in Joshua 3:7, He used this miracle to establish Joshua’s authority before the entire nation. The people feared and respected Joshua as they had Moses, recognizing that God was with him. Spiritual leadership is not seized, it is granted by God and affirmed by His works. Joshua’s exaltation was not for his glory, but to secure the people’s obedience under God’s appointed leader as they faced the coming battles.
d. The waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before: The moment the priests carrying the ark stepped onto the western bank, the waters rushed back, overflowing the river as was typical during harvest season. This precise timing proved the crossing was not a coincidence or natural phenomenon, but a divine act. God began the miracle and ended it. The river that had seemed like an impossible barrier was shown to be nothing before the power of God. The people would remember that the same God who dried up the Jordan could also bring it roaring back, for He controls creation and commands it according to His purpose.
B. The first work at Gilgal: memorial stones set up
1. (Joshua 4:19–20) The stones are set up as a memorial in Gilgal.
“Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal.”
a. They camped in Gilgal: Gilgal became the first encampment of Israel within the Promised Land and would serve as their primary base of operations throughout the conquest of Canaan. The timing of their arrival is significant—they entered the land on the tenth day of the first month, the same day the Passover lamb was to be selected (Exodus 12:3). This act connected their new beginning in the land with God’s redemption from Egypt. The first recorded act in this new land was not building weapons or fortifications, but establishing a memorial to the faithfulness and power of God. Before any battles were fought, they acknowledged that victory would not come by strength or strategy but by remembering and relying on the Lord.
b. Joshua set up the twelve stones in Gilgal: These stones, carried from the riverbed of the Jordan where the priests had stood, were arranged in Gilgal as a visible and permanent testimony. The stones were silent witnesses proclaiming that the God who brought them out of Egypt is the same God who brought them into the land. Gilgal, which means “rolling,” would soon be the place where God declared that He had rolled away the reproach of Egypt from His people (Joshua 5:9). The memorial stones marked the transition from wandering to inheritance, from promise to fulfillment.
2. (Joshua 4:21–24) The purpose of the memorial stones.
“Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying, When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What are these stones. Then you shall let your children know, saying, Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God for ever.”
a. What are these stones?: The memorial served first as a reminder to the people of Israel themselves. Human memory is short, and hearts easily grow cold. God knows how quickly His people can forget His mercy once trials arise again. The stones preached a continual sermon without words: “Do not forget what God has done.” Remembering God’s works is not meant to trap us in the past but to strengthen faith for the future. God does not change, and what He has done before, He is able to do again.
b. Then you shall let your children know: The memorial was also intended for the children of future generations. When they asked, “What do these stones mean?” parents were to answer by telling the story of God’s faithfulness. This established a tradition of generational teaching. Faith is not inherited by blood—it is passed on by testimony and instruction. The stones created a bridge between generations, linking the past works of God to the future faith of Israel’s children. It reminded them that God’s plan did not start with them, and it would not end with them.
c. That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord: There was also a global purpose. The testimony of these stones was not limited to Israel alone. The mighty hand of the Lord was to be known among all nations. The God of Israel is not a tribal deity, but the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. His power over nature, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His deliverance of His people were meant to lead the nations to fear Him, seek Him, and acknowledge His supremacy. Israel existed not only to enjoy God’s blessing but to display His glory.
