Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe.
Joshua had his hands full moving wives, children, cattle, tents, and all their effects across a treacherous ford while an enemy watched; yet even in that press of business, he would not delay the memorial God required. Mark this: however urgent our own affairs, we dare not neglect what belongs to God's glory and His honour, for that is our truest business.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 4:1-9
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had prepared of the children of Israel,.... It may be for some other purpose, Jos 3:12; but this was the destination of them eventually, and as by divine direction: out of every tribe a man: as he had before ordered, and was now directed to.
Joshua called the twelve men forward, they had hung back in reverence on the eastern bank. Each man picked up a stone, as large as he could carry, from where the priests stood, and carried it across before the ark to deposit at Gilgal, their next camp.
AI summary