(Joshua 4:1-8)
1Now when all the nation had
finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to
Joshua, saying, 2 “ Take
for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe,
3 and command them, saying,
‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the
Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry
them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge
tonight.’” 4 So
Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one
man from each tribe; 5
and Joshua said to them, “Cross again to the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a
stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of
Israel. 6 Let
this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What
do these stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the
Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut
off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”
8 Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, just as the Lord spoke to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel; and they carried them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there.
Memorial Days History
Memorial Day was originally known as Dedication Day. It was established on May 5, 1868 three years after the Civil War. It was renamed to Memorial Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in May, 1968. The date was changed from every May 30 to the last Monday every May in 1971. It was meant to be a date of remembrance of those who had sacrificed their lives for the United States of America during times of armed conflict. Over the years it has gone from being a time of community celebration to commercialization.[1]
The First Memorial Day
Some four thousand years ago God had brought the nation of Israel out of bondage by the leadership of Moses.[2] After a long travel they arrived at Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments.[3] God led them from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land where they sent twelve spies into the land. When they returned ten of the twelve gave a very bad report, while two (Joshua and Caleb) gave a favorable report. This resulted in the whole nation rebelling against God, using their “concern” for their children as an excuse. The consequence was a curse from God who tells them that they would wonder through the wilderness for forty years (one year for each day the spies were in the land). He also tells them that their children (the next generation) would be the ones who would take the land. Only Joshua and Caleb are allowed to enter the land and lead the next generation.[4] By the time we arrive at Joshua chapter 1 forty years have passed and the passage we read above is the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise God made to the first generation. They have crossed the swollen Jordan River on dry land by command of God through Joshua.[5] This is reminiscent of what happen to the first generation as they escaped Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea.[6] Now God is commanding them to take up stones out of the middle of the Jordan River and stack them up as a memorial of what has just happened.
There are several things that can be seen from this passage. First, each tribe is represented in the memorial. In verse 2 God commands them, “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe.” It was something that everyone was to be aware of and participate in. Second, it was meant to provoke questions from the generations to follow. Verse 6 states, “Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘what do these stones mean to you?’” God knew that the memory of all that had happen would fade more and more with each passing generation. The book of Judges is all about that very thing occurring. Last, the questions were meant to provoke an answer, “then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever” (v. 7). The message was to be specific and it was to be shared.
How Does It Relate?
Today our Memorial Day is meant to remind us that freedom comes with a price so also were the stones meant to remind the children of Israel of God’s goodness and grace. Those of us who are Christians have a greater memorial than that celebrated in America or by Israel. Today, every time we open our Bibles, every time we take the Lord’s Supper, every time we go to worship, every time we bow to pray, we are reminded of this greater memorial. It is the memorial of the cross of Christ and His empty tomb. Notice the three things in the passage apply to us. First, all of us are expected to tell the good news. Paul wrote in Romans 10:14, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” The idea is that someone has to tell, it might as well be you and me. Second, our lives should provoke a question. People should see and hear us knowing we are different. That should cause them to ask questions about who we are and what we believe. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Our lives are to reflect Christ in a genuine fashion in what we do and how we live. Last, there is a specific answer that is to be given regarding our faith. Peter writes in 1st Peter 3:15, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
So this Memorial Day let’s remember our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. But at the same time let’s not forget the One who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sins for the world. A sacrifice that allows all who repent (turning from their sins) and believe (placing total trust in the resurrected Savior) to have eternal life. Then just as we are willing to share the stories of those lost in combat for liberties sake, let’s be willing to share that good news of salvation to all that are around us. After all which is greater liberty or salvation?
Have a blessed Memorial Day,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
(All passages quoted are from the NASB)
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