Title Monument (Ⅰ)
Content 7. Monument (Ⅰ)
1. Doha is over
“When all the people had finished crossing the Jordan” (v. 1), God's command was fulfilled. This is an important point that God's people should always keep in mind. No one was left and finished “crossing the Jordan.” And it was at this time that a wonderful instruction from God came to Joshua, saying, “(1).
2. There are instructions
“Choose twelve men, one from every tribe of the people” (verse 2), and God took these twelve stones (verse 3) and placed them there where they lodged. Setting up two like this was not new to Israel. Jacob had erected a stone as a pillow as a memorial (Gen. 28:18), and Samuel took a stone and erected it between Mizpah and Shen to commemorate God's leading (1 Samuel 7:12).
It was common in ancient society to commemorate certain important events by erecting stones. However, the case here is different. This was done by “the Lord directed to Joshua.”
3. There is obedience
“Joshua… … “Twelve men were called” (v. 4), and God’s instructions were immediately carried out. This is something God's people should imitate. It is an act of unbelief to mobilize human wisdom by thinking and examining God's direction after it has been given. This must be done immediately. “Prepared” literally means “determined, established.” Joshua's swift action of God's will is an important lesson for us.
Joshua told them to take a stone from each tribe and carry it on their shoulder. Because the enemies on the other side were watching. But they had no such thing in mind, and did it “in the midst of the Jordan.” Among the qualities of a believer, obedience is the most precious and expensive.
4. The target follows
“Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off when the Ark of the Covenant crossed the Jordan” (v. 7), this is an entirely supernatural work. The Jordan waters flowed from top to bottom. Therefore, the current was very strong. The fact that the water was “cut off” under these circumstances shows an amazing aspect of God’s work. Joshua said, “The sun is over Gibeon… … Prayers have been made to make the moon rest in the valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12). While with Moses, he experienced the wonderful gift of God. Here too, we see a wonderful miracle, when the waters of the Jordan River are cut off and its flow is stopped.
For God's people, miracles are not miracles, but only one area of God's many works. Then “these stones” become a permanent memorial to the children of Israel.