What is the meaning of Joshua 4:3? and command them Joshua records, “Joshua called the twelve men he had appointed… and said to them, ‘…and command them:’ ” (Joshua 4:4–5). • Scripture shows God working through clear, authoritative commands (Exodus 19:7–8; John 14:15). • Joshua, the appointed leader (Joshua 1:6–9), passes on God’s exact instruction without alteration, underscoring that obedience is never optional when God speaks (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). Take up for yourselves twelve stones “‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones…’” • Twelve stones match the twelve tribes (Genesis 35:22; Revelation 21:12), declaring that every tribe shared in this miracle. • Physical memorials keep future generations from forgetting God’s acts (Exodus 12:24-27; Psalm 78:5-7). • Stones—permanent, rugged—mirror the lasting faithfulness of the LORD (Malachi 3:6). from the middle of the Jordan “…‘from the middle of the Jordan…’” • God wanted stones taken from the very place where the water had stood, a tangible proof that the riverbed had been dry (Joshua 3:17; 4:22-24). • Just as Israel carried spoils out of Egypt’s sea-bed in Exodus 14, these stones testify that God does the impossible in real history, not in myth or symbol. where the priests were standing “…‘where the priests were standing…’” • The ark-bearing priests marked the center of God’s power and presence (Joshua 3:3-4; Numbers 4:15). • Taking stones from that exact spot links the miracle to the covenant represented by the ark (Exodus 25:22). • Priests stood firm until every Israelite crossed (Joshua 4:10), reflecting Christ our High Priest who secures our passage (Hebrews 4:14-16). carry them with you “…‘carry them with you…’” • Memorials travel with God’s people, integrating faith into daily life (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). • Bearing weight reminds each man of personal responsibility: every tribe must shoulder testimony to God’s work (2 Timothy 2:2). and set them down “…‘and set them down…’” • Memorials are meant to be displayed, not hidden (Matthew 5:14-16). • The stones will be raised again at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20), turning an ordinary campsite into sacred ground (Genesis 28:18-19). in the place where you spend the night “…‘in the place where you spend the night.’” • God chooses the first night in the Promised Land (Joshua 4:19) to anchor their memories; rest is rooted in His completed work (Hebrews 4:8-10). • The memorial ensures that even routine settings become opportunities for recounting deliverance to children (Joshua 4:6-7). summary Joshua 4:3 instructs Israel to take twelve stones from the Jordan’s dry bed—right where the ark-bearing priests stood—carry them to the first campsite, and set them up as a perpetual memorial. The command highlights: • God’s authority and the necessity of precise obedience. • The inclusion of every tribe in God’s saving act. • Tangible evidence of a real miracle rooted in covenant presence. • An ongoing call to remember and proclaim the LORD’s faithfulness in everyday life. |
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