Session 6 Joshua chapter 4 A memorial of deliverance Hugh Clark
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan (Joshua 3:17) that through death He might destroy him that had the power of Death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14)
Stones are often used in scripture as a memorial of God's dealings with man e.g. Jacob Genesis 28:18 Bethel 31:45 Galeed 35:14, 35:20 Bethel
Stones are identified as a memorial in a special way in Exodus 28. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engraving of a sign evevery one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes (Exodus 28:2 1) Note that every tribe was represented individually and together
In Joshua 4:1-9, we find the same thought of representation - all the people passed over - therefore, the memorials represent the twelve tribes Joshua 4:3-5 12 stones to be taken up out of the Jordan, and carried over into Caanan
Twelve stones out of Jordan carried by the children of Israel - placed in the place where they rested in Canaan (4:8) - then taken and pitched in Gilgal by Joshua (4:20)
Joshua 4:9 12 stones placed in the midst of Jordan by Joshua Who told him to do that? The response of an intelligent heart to the lesson of Jordan passing from death to life. The Ark passed through, and all the people were passed safe over. Jesus has vanquished death, and all its powers Put off the old man and put on the new man Ephesians 4:21-24
For believers today, there is a double truth we have died with Christ, And we live with Him (Romans 6:8) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20)
Joshua 4:9 12 stones placed in the midst of Jordan by Joshua There are a number of results from this truth, which we mention without going into detail: Died with Christ Romans 6:2&8 Colossians 2:20, 3:19 Old man crucified Romans 6:6 Quickened with Christ Ephesians 2:5 Risen with Christ Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12 Put off the old man and put on the new man Ephesians 4:21-24
Joshua 4:10-13 The priests carried the ark, and stood still in the midst of Jordan, while all the people passed over into the land. Then the ark of the Lord with the priests passed over. So, Christ has conquered death, and all His own are passed from death unto life. All twelve tribes went over even the two and a half tribes who later took up an inheritance on the east bank of the Jordan.
Note At the Passover, Israel was redeemed At the Red Sea, Israel was delivered by the power of God The brazen serpent shows how sin is judged in the flesh(romans 8:3) The Jordan shows we are risen with Christ - and how we take our place as risen with Him In Israel's case these events took forty years, but as God had brought them out of Egypt so He brought them in to the place which was according to his purpose
All twelve tribes came in to Canaan, including the two and a half tribes who were later to return(verse 12) A question if you have new life in Christ, your citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), but does your life reflect it? Have you realised that God has brought you through each of these steps?
Joshua 4:18 After all had passed over, the Jordan flowed back over all his banks as before. The stones put on the bed of the emptied river were covered over. They were known only to faith. Joshua's memorial was hidden from sight, but God saw it and recorded it in His Word. Seen or not: they are there unto this day.
So, the cross of Christ remains a witness to this world not only to this day, but for ever! It is known only to faith, and is precious to those who have been delivered by it.
Joshua 4:20-24 The stones out of Jordan were pitched in Gilgal. A memorial - a memorial for Israel (v 2 0/23) - a witness for all the earth (v 24) Gilgal itself is another subject. But God's wonderful deliverance of Israel that day, bringing them into their inheritance, stands for ever as an example. It illustrates His ways of blessing for us. For all the earth, it was a witness that the hand of God is mighty. All the people of the earth may own the witness of the deliverance of God s chosen people, Israel. So the cross of Christ is a witness to the hand of God. Each person must own it now or later stand before God in judgement.