Joshua 4 (3)

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. Joshua 4.8, 9

Reflect.
1.  This seems odd, doesn’t it? Why would Joshua put stones in the river, since the river would be covering them very shortly?

2.  The men were careful to set their stones down in “the place where they lodged.” Was it important that everyone in the camp be aware of these stones? Why?

Think about it.
I’m going to let John Calvin (1509-1564) reflect on Joshua’s strange act. From his commentary on Joshua: “Apparently there was no use of stones under the water, and it may therefore seem to have been absurd to bury stones at a depth. The others which were placed in Gilgal being publicly visible, furnished occasion for inquiry; but stones hidden from the eyes of men at the bottom of the water could have no effect in inciting their minds. I admit that a monument altogether buried in silence would have been useless. But when they talked among themselves of the evidence of the passage left there, the hearing even of what they did not see, strongly tended to confirm their faith. The ark of the covenant was shut up in the sanctuary and covered by a veil placed over against it, and yet its hidden splendor was not without benefit, when they learned from the Law that the covenant of God was deposited in it. It might also happen, that when the river was low, the tops of the heap would sometimes appear. But what I have already said is more probable, that though Joshua buried the stones in the middle of the stream, he did a useful act by establishing a testimony in presence of the people, which would afterwards become the subject of general conversation.”

Unlike he did with the stones brought to the camp, Joshua did not explain the reason for these stones. People would probably have guessed that there was some connection between the stones they could see and those they could not, just as there was a connection between the ark they could see, the Law within it they could not see, and the God Who gave both Law and ark to the people.

Joshua sowed a little mystery into their experience with this act, and a little mystery in the life of faith can be a very good thing. 

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Meditate on Hebrews 11. For those Israelites with Joshua, what were the hoped for and unseen things of their faith? What are they for you?

2.  Assurance and evidence: These are the substance of true faith. The memorial stones would have provided assurance of God’s presence, and the evidence of that assurance would have been Israel’s obedience in claiming the land. What provides your assurance of faith, and what evidence should that assurance produce in you?

3.  What do we mean by “mystery”? Do you agree that mystery is important to the life of faith? Explain.

“Images are of two kinds: either they are words written in a book … or else they are material images such as the twelve stones which he commanded to be taken from the Jordan for a second memorial (such a mystery, truly the greatest ever to befall the faithful people!) of the carrying of the ark and the parting of the waters.” John of Damascus (650-750 AD)

Let Your Word and Spirit grant me increasing assurance, Lord, so that the evidence of my faith may be seen in…

Pray Psalm 12.
Our faith must be rooted in the pure Word of God, which we wield as a Sword and Shield in an age of lies and deception. As you pray Psalm 12, ask the Lord to firm up your vision of unseen things by this one great Seen Thing which He calls you to read and mediate in day by day (Ps. 1).

Psalm 12 (Hamburg: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
Help, Lord! The godly cease to be; they who believe in Christ are few.
Falsely the wicked confidently flatter, deceive, and mock Your truth.

Stop, Lord, the lips that utter lies, all those who speak with boasting tongue!
See how Your holy Word they despise, while their own praises they have sung.

Rise up, O Lord, and rescue all Your precious children sore distressed.
Save those who faithfully on You call; grant them deliv’rance, peace, and rest.

Your words are pure and proven true, like silver seven times refined;
You will preserve Your Word ever new, and keep the heart to You inclined.

Proudly the wicked strut and stand; Your indignation builds on high.
Men may exalt their wicked plans, but You will judge them by and by.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).