Twelve Smooth Stones

Last evening I had the privilege of delivering a Bible study message from the pulpit of our chapel. I have been unable in the past year with the exception of one other time to deliver a similar message. I felt good and it felt good to be able to have the strength to open God’s word in a chapel setting. We studied Chapter 4 of the Book of Joshua. Joshua was both a respected soldier and a man of great faith who lived about 1350 B.C. The Old Testament story in Chapter 4 describes Joshua leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan. After forty years minus five days, the LORD stops the flow of the Jordan River so that the people can cross over the riverbed into their new home. The water was held back as long as a group of priests stood in the river holding the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD. We pick up the story at verse 1 of Chapter 4. (Joshua 4: 1-3)

1 ¶ And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying:
2 "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe,
3 "and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’"

Just as the LORD commanded, Joshua ordered that twelve smooth and rounded stones from the riverbed be placed on the western side of the River Jordan. These stones were to be used to build a monument to the LORD’s crossing of the river at Gilgal which is near the City of Jericho. The monument was to be a memorial to remind even coming generations of the day their God stopped the water and allowed them to be led into the Promised Land. Each stone was of a size and weight that a strong young man, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, could carry it. We resume reading at verse 9. (Joshua 4:9)

9 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 then replaces the twelve stones removed from the riverbed with stones most probably taken from the west side of the river bank. We don’t know if they were small or large, but it is likely they were rough field stone. A second monument is then built at the place where the priests stood holding the Ark of the Lord. This memorial would of course also commemorate the LORD’s stopping of the waters in order for the people to pass. It is likely that this monument would be submerged most of the time and not clearly visible.

Even in the Old Testament, we can find many references to the work to be finished on our behalf by the Lord Jesus Christ. These two monuments are no exception. Some believe that the rough field stone submerged in the river represents our sin being completely invisible and forgotten by a forgiving Jesus while the monument of smooth stones in Gilgal is a testament to the rebirth that is available through a belief in Jesus. William MacDonald, a much respected Bible commentary writer, has another explanation that I find most comforting. He writes in his Bible Believers Commentary that, “The stones in the riverbed speak of identification with Christ in death.” and that, “Those on the west bank speak of identification with Christ in resurrection”.

What beautiful thoughts! The submerged monument represents Jesus buried in the tomb. The very good news is that He was only there for three days. The monument at Gilgal celebrates that He is risen. Because Jesus is resurrected, I shall follow Him into heaven for all of eternity. I am so thankful that these monuments are recorded in the Bible for my and your benefit.

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