Joshua 4

Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today, we are reading Joshua Chapter 4, which records the Israelites crossing the Jordan River and Joshua commanding the people to take twelve stones as a memorial for this event. As we mentioned yesterday, this crossing of the Jordan differs from Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea. Back then, the crossing of the Red Sea was an urgent rescue mission — with the sea in front and the enemy behind, requiring a supernatural miracle for deliverance. In contrast, while the Jordan River is an important boundary, it wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle. Yet, through this event, God accomplished two significant purposes: Allowing the new generation of Israelites to experience a miracle: This generation of Israelites was not the same group that had left Egypt. They were born in the wilderness and had not witnessed the awe-inspiring parting of the Red Sea by Moses. They had only heard of it through stories. Now, God let them personally witness the parting of the Jordan River, demonstrating His presence among them and establishing Joshua’s authority as their new leader. Ensuring that the Israelites would always remember God’s works: Just as the Passover was instituted to commemorate the miracle of the Exodus, this crossing of the Jordan was marked by Joshua commanding the people to bring twelve stones from the riverbed as a perpetual memorial. These stones were meant to serve as a symbol, allowing future generations to ask and learn about God’s miraculous deeds. In this passage, we see that God’s presence always goes before the Israelites. In the wilderness, God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Here, His presence is symbolized through the Ark of the Covenant. When the Levitical priests carried the Ark and stood in the Jordan River, the waters stopped flowing, exposing dry ground for the people to cross safely. Notably, it was only after the priests first stepped into the river that the waters parted. This order was intentional — the priests had to step into the water in faith, and then the miracle occurred. Additionally, this happened during the harvest season when the Jordan River’s flow was at its peak, making the parting of the river an undeniable display of divine power. This reminds us that God always goes ahead of us, preparing the way. His guidance is full of wisdom, and His timing is never delayed. The final verse of this chapter is especially significant: “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” This verse highlights the ultimate purpose of the miracle: to reveal God’s power to all nations and to instill reverence for Him among the Israelites. This passage is not just a historical account but also a lesson for us today: God personally establishes our leaders and remains present with His people. We must remember God’s grace, for His deeds serve as the foundation of our faith. God’s guidance transcends time — He goes before us, preparing the way. Tomorrow, we will continue with Joshua Chapter 5. Thank you for listening!