Background and Context:

The event of Joshua setting up twelve stones in the Jordan River is a significant moment in the history of Israel, marking their entrance into the Promised Land. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 4. It occurs after the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, miraculously cross the Jordan River on dry ground, reminiscent of the earlier crossing of the Red Sea under Moses.

Biblical Account:

As the Israelites prepared to enter Canaan, God instructed Joshua to have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan River. As soon as the priests' feet touched the water, the river stopped flowing, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground. This miraculous event demonstrated God's power and His continued presence with His people.

After the crossing, God commanded Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests stood, and carry them to their camp at Gilgal. Joshua 4:3 states, "and command them, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet have stood firm, and carry them with you and set them down in the place where you will spend the night.’"

Purpose of the Stones:

The twelve stones served as a memorial for the Israelites. Joshua explained the purpose of this memorial in Joshua 4:6-7 : "to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever."

The stones were a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and His miraculous intervention on behalf of His people. They were intended to provoke questions from future generations, providing an opportunity to recount the mighty works of God and to instill faith in the hearts of the Israelites.

Significance in Israel's History:

This event marked the beginning of the conquest of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. The crossing of the Jordan and the setting up of the stones symbolized a new chapter for the Israelites, transitioning from their wilderness wanderings to establishing themselves in the land God had promised.

The twelve stones also represented the unity of the twelve tribes of Israel, each having a part in the collective memory and identity of the nation. This unity was crucial as they faced the challenges of conquering and settling in the land.

Theological Implications:

Theologically, the event underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to control nature for the benefit of His people. It also highlights the importance of remembering and teaching God's acts of deliverance and faithfulness. The stones served as a perpetual reminder of God's covenant relationship with Israel and His commitment to fulfill His promises.

In the broader biblical narrative, the crossing of the Jordan and the setting up of the stones prefigure the Christian understanding of baptism and the crossing from death to life through faith in Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites entered the Promised Land through the waters of the Jordan, Christians enter into the promises of God through the waters of baptism, symbolizing a new beginning and a life of faith.