This fourth chapter of Joshua is about 12 stones!

Actually 24 stones!

Count them: “And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. AND JOSHUA SET UP TWELVE (MORE) STONES IN THE MIDST OF JORDAN, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.” Joshua 4:8-9

The first of the stones will be placed on land, where Israel rested that first night. The other 12 stones are to be left in the riverbed! To soon be inundated by the flood waters of the Jordan River! Once all the Jews had (miraculously) passed from one side of the River to the other, from the desert side to the Canaan side.

What do they mean (the 12 stones in the river), or what does this command mean … clearly from the Lord?

Often in Scripture anything plunged under water is an emblem or picture of death or dying. (Think of the waters of the Flood in the days of Noah.)

The number of the stones is significant, too. Twelve (12) stones, one for every tribe of Israel! The whole Nation, all its people, identified with “death?”

Yes … in “type” … the people “died” that day … but only “in type” to be “raised again” out of the potentially deadly riverbed of the Jordan! (Hence tomorrow we look at the other 12 stones placed on dry ground … an obvious  picture of resurrection from the dead!)

So, it looks like, we have a pretty good symbol here of death and burial and resurrection … as Israel enters Canaan! Canaan which is a picture of the victorious Christian life, indeed the “Promised Land!”

Now, I kept thinking, if this is right … maybe I can find another Bible example likening some “under water” experience to “death!”

And I did! (Actually the Lord brought it to mind. Thank God for concordances, to help locate those hard-to-find verses we remember reading!)

In Exodus 15, as Israel sang and rejoiced over God’s bringing them through the Red Sea (another body of water) part of the lyrics God gave them go like this: “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are DROWNED (DEAD) IN THE RED SEA. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom AS A STONE.” Exodus 15:3-5

There it is!

Twelve (12) stones in the bottom of the soon-to-be-raging-again Jordan River, representing God’s people, the Jews! Death, dying with Christ our Lord! It is often called “identification with Christ.”

But not permanent death!

Soon (nearly immediately) lifted out of death and rejoicing in Gilgal, the first place they encamped in their new Homeland!

Yes … death followed by resurrection!

It is, folks, a picture of what we call Christian Baptism!

Buried with Christ … only to be immediately raised with Him “to walk in newness of life,” as the Pastors say when baptizing someone!

Israel … victorious Christian living?

Then death and burial and resurrection is certainly the “key” to such a “high plane” of existence!!!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

“Twelve stones,” essentially the theme of Joshua chapter 4.

Twelve stones taken from the “bed” of the temporarily dry Jordan River!

“And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, and command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, TWELVE STONES, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.” Joshua 4:1-3

These stones, as we shall see tomorrow, are to be used as sort of a “memorial” of what God did as the Israelites first entered the Promised Land!

But first, let me share something I saw yesterday. A whole “string” of “stone” incidences in the Old Testament! Stones as “preachers,” nearly.

Jacob used such a stone in his life, to mark a special place! “And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the STONE that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: and this STONE, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Genesis 28:18-22, a stone marking the place where God was so very real to Jacob!

(Later in his life Jacob again used a pile of stones as a witness to a “contract” made between him and Laban, his Father-in-law. “And Jacob took a STONE, and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather STONES; and they took STONES, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; this heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.” Genesis 31:45 and 46 then 51 and 52)

Then additionally in Joshua 24:26-27 a stone is used as an “indicator” of dedication to the Lord. The Jews have just (again) agreed to obey the Law of God. “And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great STONE, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this STONE shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.” A “memorial” or “witness!”)

Then later Samuel, under God’s direction, utilized a stone! “And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. Then Samuel took a STONE, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:11-12, with “eben” meaning “stone” in Hebrew. Celebrating another great Act of Almighty God!

But then one day, I’d like to suggest … God reciprocated! God gave back to mankind a Stone!

Psalm 118:22 makes a prophetic announcement. “The STONE which the builders refused is become the HEADSTONE of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” He’s talking about Jesus, folks!

Then … many years later our incarnate Lord uses this verse and (correctly) applies it to Himself! “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The STONE which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” Matthew 21:42

Luke’s wording is even more powerful. “And Jesus beheld them (the chief priests and scribes), and said, What is this then that is written, The STONE which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that STONE shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Luke 20:17-18, I am so glad I fell on that Stone and He broke me and saved me and humbled me and now will love me forever!

One more thought today … Simon Peter (under the Holy Spirit’s guidance) masterfully used this “word picture” of a Stone as applied to Jesus in 1 Peter chapter 2. There he makes us Christians (having first come to God’s Chief Cornerstone) … he calls us “living stones” … by the Power of God! A miracle indeed! “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a LIVING STONE, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as LIVELY STONES, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:1-4, Jesus the LIVING STONE, and we (through him) are now LIVELY STONES!

Now here’s Peter, still considering Jesus as the Ultimate Stone …

1 Peter 2:6 … “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief CORNERSTONE, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” That’s JESUS, all right!

1 Peter 2:7 … “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the STONE which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.” God “reversing” man’s wrong opinion!

Then 1 Peter 2:8 … to unbelievers Jesus will become … “A STONE of stumbling, and a ROCK of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Wow!

Just a quick survey of Scripture this morning … as it pertains to “stones” as memorials or witnesses … and a Stone (THE STONE) as Lord and Saviour!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I merely mentioned in our last Lesson that both the Crossing of the Red Sea (under Moses’ leadership) and the subsequent crossing of the Jordan River (under Joshua’s leadership) were accompanied by beautiful Psalms, songs of praise in honor of God’s manifested Power!

No one doubts (or forgets) the great Psalm composed as Israel came up out of the Red Sea bed! Here’s the first “stanza” … “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” Exodus 15:1-6, what Poetry!

But few even recognize the Psalm written to celebrate the additional (matching) miracle, the crossing of the Jordan River! No, it is not located in Joshua chapter 4, where one might have expected it! (The Holy Spirit is full of surprises, what an Author He is!) He rather places the “Jordan” song in the Psalter, the hymnbook of Israel.

I’m speaking of Psalm 114.

“¹When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; ² Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. ³ The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. ⁴ The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. ⁵ What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? ⁶ Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? ⁷ Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; ⁸ Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.” I have left the verse numbers in place purposely.

A short Psalm, indeed, but sublimely beautiful!

Look at the last line of verse 3 … “JORDAN WAS DRIVEN BACK!” That’s exactly what happened too, the Jordan flowing southward, God “made the upriver waters stand in a heap!” Driving them backward, literally! (Read it: “The waters which came down from above stood and ROSE UP UPON AN HEAP very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.” Joshua 3:16)

Now look again at our Psalm, verse 5: “WHAT AILETH THEE … THOU JORDAN, THAT THOU WAST DRIVEN BACK?” Nature (as they say) in total obedience to God!

This Hymn (Psalm 114) is clearly obeying a principle of Grace … praising God for His wonderful works! “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for HIS WONDERFUL WORKS to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8

Wow!

The Red Sea dried up … and the triumphant Exodus 15 Song was born!

The Jordan parted … and (at least part of) Psalm 114 was conceived!

God’s people have a song … always!

Even in the “night!” (See Job 35:10 … “God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.” That’s Him!)

But songs galore in times of victory … “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Sing to HIM Today!

 

All I am saying by the title given today’s Lesson is that many similarities exist between the miracle of Israel marching across the Red Sea … and the miracle of Israel (a generation later) crossing the River Jordan.

In both cases the miracle was associated with water! (Think of the times Jesus interacted with water. He changed it into wine, walked on it, preached about it, and one day a lady even got saved by a well of it!)

Both miracles (Red Sea and Jordan River) were enacted with a congregation of hundreds of thousands watching! Not in private, by any means!

Each removed a (humanly speaking) formidable barrier, blocking God’s people from “going forward” in His Plan for their lives!

Each further authenticated Israel’s leadership (Moses at the Red Sea and Joshua at the Jordan River)

Both miracles tested the faith of the Israelites, just step into the Ocean (on one hand) and later wade into this (in flood stage even) River!

Each crossing is reported to have been executed with dry ground under the Jews’ feet! “Dryshod” is the old English word!

Both miracles were lived “in silence,” no noise required at all from the Israelites … as in distinction to the battle of Jericho, for example.

No damage was done to the waters, in either case. Both the Sea and the River (once Israel was through) resumed their normal shapes!

Also, both miracles showed God’s enemies His mighty Power! (The Egyptians and the Canaanites, who were well aware of what had transpired!)

And … my main point today … both miracles were accompanied by SONGS, hymns of praise!

Wow!

But wait a minute, “songs?”

Clearly the Exodus did … famously recorded in Scripture! Sung subsequent to their crossing the sea, voiced in fact as Israel came up out of the sea bed!

But crossing the Jordan? Where is the song? Joshua 4 tells about 12 stones … but no song!

Ahh!

The Jordan River song is NOT recorded in Joshua!

For that we go to the Book of Psalms!

To Psalm 114 … a gleeful celebration of God and His Character and His drying up the River Jordan!!!

In fact, I think we’ll study that one Monday morning!

Just for a single lesson … then (finally) into  Joshua 4, the Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

What an important even, crossing the Jordan River.

One can’t help but think of another “crossing” God accomplished for Israel. When she left Egypt, a generation earlier! Crossing the Red Sea, namely.

Today I’d like to show you some DIFFERENCES between those two miracles. The “Red Sea” event and the “Jordan” event. Stay with me, now …

The first ended slavery for Israel, leaving Egypt. The second began real liberty for them, the Land of Canaan, the “Promised Land!”

At the Red Sea … Israel escaped the Egyptians! At the Jordan River … she approached (and later conquered) all her enemies!

At the Read Sea, God used “means” to deal with the Ocean … “a strong east wind.” (Look: And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” Exodus 14:21) At the Jordan River, “no means” are mentioned. God proving He does not require “tools,” He being able “to speak” miracles into existence! (As in: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3)

The first miracle was performed at nighttime! The second, in broad daylight! Seems God is a 24/7 Almighty Sustainer of His people, and Keeper of His Word!

At the Red Sea multitudes were killed, drowned! At the Jordan River event … not a single person died!  God is a God of precious “Contrasts,” yet is also perfect in Balance! (Here’s half a verse to illustrate: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God ….” Romans 11:22)

The first miracle was enacted on behalf of a grumbling and distrustful people. (As in: “And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?” Exodus 14:11, spoken before the Crossing of the Sea!) The second miracle was wrought for a believing, obeying people! (What a difference 40 years makes!)

In the Red Sea Miracle the waters were “divided,” according to Exodus 14:21 again (Watch: “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” That last verb “were divided.”) In the second miracle they only had to “stand upon a heap.” (Rivers flowing but Seas merely reservoiring!) Important: “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” Joshua 3:13

The Red Sea miracle invited an attack by Israel enemies, the Egyptians! The crossing of the Jordan miracle brought fear to Israel’s enemies! (Astounding: “And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.” Joshua 5:1, scared, fearful indeed!)

As Israel left the Red Sea a graveyard of dead soldiers floated in the background! As Israel left the Jordan River … a stack of 12 stones of remembrance remained! Both entities were “trophies” of God’s power and grace and victory!(God just might leave little “reminders” everywhere He has been! Oh, to see them better!)

What differences!

(I shall never look at the Jordan Crossing the same again! Entering the victorious path of Christian living, indeed! Many older Preachers see the Book of Joshua as a forerunner of the New Testament Book of Ephesians! Claiming and enjoying our God-given blessings, privileges … right here and now!)

The Lord willing, more tomorrow …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell