Joshua

Joshua 4: Stones to remember what God did

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the stones that would prompt children's questions, please gather our questions before God in prayer. Ask Him to help us tell what He has done and lead our children toward Jesus.

The people believed, and when they heard that Yahweh had visited the children of Israel, and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Exodus 4:31

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us remember what You did at the Jordan and teach our children about Jesus, who saves His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD commands twelve men, one from each tribe, to carry twelve stones from the Jordan to their camp. Joshua also sets up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood. After the priests come out, the water returns over all its banks. Joshua sets up the stones taken from the Jordan at Gilgal and tells Israel to explain them to their children. He says all the peoples of the earth may know the LORD's hand is mighty.

As you read Joshua 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD dried up the Jordan, and twelve stones remind Israel's children that His hand is mighty.

When all the nation had crossed, the LORD told Joshua to take twelve men, one from each tribe (verses 1 and 2). Each man carried a stone from the middle of the Jordan, where the priests had stood firm, to the camp (verses 3 and 5). The stones were to be a sign, so that when children asked what they meant, their fathers could tell them (verses 6 and 7). Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, where the priests had stood (verse 9). Then the priests came up, and the waters returned to their place and went over all the banks as before (verse 18). Joshua set up the twelve stones at Gilgal (verse 20). Fathers were to tell how the LORD dried up the Jordan as He dried up the Red Sea (verses 22 and 23). So all the peoples of the earth would know that the LORD's hand is mighty (verse 24). Israel was to fear Him forever (verse 24).

How does Joshua 4 show us that the LORD dried up the Jordan, and that twelve stones remind Israel's children that His hand is mighty?

God commands twelve stones to be taken from the Jordan.

The LORD told Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe (verse 2). Each man lifted a stone from where the priests' feet stood firm (verse 3). They carried the stones over and laid them down in the camp that night (verses 3 and 8).

The water returns after everyone has crossed.

The priests stood in the middle of the Jordan until everything the LORD commanded was finished (verse 10). Then Joshua told them to come up out of the river (verse 17). When their feet touched dry ground, the waters returned to their place and went over all the banks as before (verse 18). On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel (verse 14).

Fathers must tell their children what the stones mean.

When children asked, their fathers were to say that Israel came over the Jordan on dry land (verses 21 and 22). They were to say that the LORD dried up the river as He had dried up the Red Sea (verse 23). All the peoples of the earth were to know that His hand is mighty (verse 24). Families still tell God's greatest work, that Christ died for sins and was raised (1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4).

Memorise

Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you, until you had crossed over

Joshua 4:22-23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I know Bible stories yet still need to trust Jesus?

When children asked, “What do these stones mean?” their fathers told them what the LORD had done at the Jordan. Families still tell their children the greatest thing God has done, that Jesus died for sinners and rose again (1 Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4).

Israel's children were sinners, and so are ours, and a memory of the Jordan cannot forgive anyone. On the cross Jesus died for His people and was punished for them, and by that one death the debt is fully paid. God raised Him on the third day.

Knowing the story is good, and Jesus also calls you to come to Him yourself. Turn from your sin and trust Him. He forgives all who come to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children what the LORD did at the Jordan, and tell them the greatest thing He has done in Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for giving Israel a reminder to tell their children about His mighty hand, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4

Father in heaven, thank You for the rescue at the Jordan and for Your Word that tells us what happened. Please give our children hearts that believe in Jesus. Lead every one of us to turn from sin and trust Him. Help us speak about His death and resurrection in our home this week. Amen.