Joshua 4:20

Joshua 4:20 records the establishment of a significant memorial following Israel's miraculous entry into the Promised Land. This verse specifically details the placement of the twelve stones taken from the dry bed of the Jordan River.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of a pivotal moment in Israel's history: their crossing of the Jordan River into Canaan. Just as God had miraculously parted the Red Sea for their ancestors, He now stopped the flow of the Jordan, allowing the entire nation, led by the ark of the covenant, to pass through on dry ground (Joshua 3:17). As commanded by God, one man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel carried a large stone from the riverbed. These stones were then "pitched" – set up – by Joshua in Gilgal, which served as their first encampment in the land of Canaan. This act was not merely a historical record but a divinely ordained instruction for future generations to remember God's mighty works.

Key Themes

• Memorial and Remembrance: The primary purpose of the twelve stones was to serve as a lasting memorial, a tangible reminder of God's power and faithfulness. They were a visible testimony to the extraordinary event of the Jordan crossing, ensuring that the people would not forget what God had done for them.
• God's Faithfulness and Power: The setting up of the stones in Gilgal underscores God's ability to fulfill His promises, bringing His people into the land He had sworn to their forefathers. It highlights His sovereign control over creation, as seen in the Jordan's waters standing in a heap.
• Generational Instruction: The stones were intended to be a teaching tool. When future generations would inquire about their meaning, their parents were to recount the story of God's miraculous intervention (Joshua 4:21-22). This ensured the continuity of faith and the knowledge of God's deeds through the generations.
• Covenant Fulfillment: The crossing of the Jordan and the establishment of this memorial in Gilgal marked a significant step in the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7).

Linguistic Insight

The word "pitch" in KJV (Hebrew: natsav) means to stand, set up, or establish. It conveys the idea of firmly planting something for a lasting purpose. This isn't a casual placement but a deliberate act of establishing a permanent marker, emphasizing the enduring significance of the memorial.

Practical Application

Joshua 4:20 encourages believers today to remember God's past faithfulness in their own lives and in the history of His people. Just as Israel was commanded to build a memorial, we are called to acknowledge and celebrate the "Gilgals" in our own spiritual journeys – those moments where God has clearly intervened, provided, or delivered. These acts of remembrance strengthen our faith for future challenges and provide a powerful testimony to those around us, especially the next generation. By recalling God's past victories, we are reminded of His unchanging character and His continued presence with us.