And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel,
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
The twelve men were to go back into the river itself, into the midst of Jordan where the priests stood bearing the ark, and there take up stones so large they had to carry them on their shoulders, not in their hands, one stone for each tribe that had crossed.
AI summary
God commanded Joshua to send the twelve tribal representatives to the very place where the priests stood with the ark, to take up stones from that spot and carry them to the camp where Israel would lodge that night, so the stones might stand as a lasting witness to what the Lord had done.
AI summary
Commenting on Joshua 4:1-5