Wednesday Night Bible Study - NEP Church
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Teacher: Book: Session: Passage:
Rev. Sam Letson, III, Lead Pastor Joshua #9 Joshua 4:1-18
[Read 4:1-24] Finally! After years of waiting, the Israelites are finally in the Promised Land! They are barely in, just standing on the west bank of the Jordan River. But they are in. The entire nation has crossed over, as we read at the beginning of chapter four. Chapter 4:1-2 Can you imagine the excitement? They had heard their whole lives; they had prepared for three days; and now, on dry ground, they have crossed the Jordan River. As the multitude gathers on the far side, God speaks to Joshua again. And what does He tell him? Answer: “Choose 12 men…” (vs. 2a) Someone read… Chapter 3:12 If you remember, when we were studying this previous passage we mentioned these twelve men, but then moved on, because the storyline does. Though they are mentioned in chapter three, verse twelve, we don’t know why they are mentioned until we get to the first verses of chapter four. Here we learn the importance of these twelve men, one from each tribe. Chapter 4:3 Now we see that not everyone had completed the crossing. Who had not yet come across to the other bank of the river? Answer: the priests holding the Ark of the Covenant. Where are they? Answer: They are still in the middle of the Jordan River, with the wall of water still hovering high above them! And what is God’s command, through Joshua, to the twelve men? Simply stated: go back into the middle of the Jordan River! Go back out there where the wall of water still stands. How do
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you think the twelve men felt about these instructions? Once safely across the flood-stage river, would you have been excited to go back out there again? The priests are still standing out there, and now the twelve go out there as well. They have a purpose…a task given to them by God. And what is it? Answer: to gather some rocks! Specifically, to gather twelve large stones from the spot where the priests had stood with the Ark. And what were they to do with their twelve stones? Answer: carry them to where the Israelites made camp that night. And there, they were to stack them and make a monument of stones, as we read next. vs. 4-6a The fact that they had to each “…lift a stone onto his shoulder…” (vs. 5c) speaks of the size and weight of these stones. They were not getting pebbles out of the creek bed. They were gathering massive stones from the middle of where the Jordan River normally flowed. In the north Georgia mountains, many years ago the YMCA established a summer camp for boys called Y-Camp. One summer I went there for a week. I didn’t particularly enjoy the experience, and never went back. And one thing I didn’t enjoy was a hike we took. One day all the counselors told us boys that we were hiking through the woods to the top of a mountain, and at the top we would have ice-cream. Someone was driving in from the other side, would meet us at the top, and would have the ice-cream for us. They also told us that we would receive an amount of ice-cream equal to the weight of stones we carried from the camp to the top of the mountain! We all believed them, and filled our pockets with little rocks and stones. Of course, when we got there, it was all a joke. There was no ice cream; just a pile of rocks from many summers of other boys falling for the same trick. I was not amused. What I cannot imagine is taking a very large stone, putting it on my shoulders, and carrying it to the place where we camped that night. But these twelve men did just that. And why? Because they were going to make a monument of remembrance and testimony, “a sign among you” (vs. 6a), as Joshua told them. vs. 6b-7 This monument of stones would be seen by future generations. And when seeing them, they would naturally ask, “Why are these here? What do they mean?” Today, we still have stones that serve as reminders – grave stones, monuments to famous events or people, and a host of others. Specifically, in these verses the Israelites are told that this monument of twelve stones would be “a memorial for the Israelites” (vs. 7d) through all generations. They would see the stones, and they would remember God’s amazing miracle of bringing their ancestors across the Jordan River on dry ground. As Joshua said, this would be a monument of remembrance “for the Israelites.” (vs. 7d), and their children.
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Next week, we will see that these twelve stones also would be a monument of testimony – both to the Israelites and to the all the nations. But for now, let’s see what the men did in response to Joshua’s command. vs. 8-9 What did the twelve men do? Answer: they did exactly what Joshua had commanded them to do, just as he had received the command from God. But what did Joshua do? We are told in verse nine that he set up a second monument of stones himself. And where was his monument? Answer: “…in the middle of the Jordan…” (vs. 9a) where the priests were still standing with the Ark of the Covenant. Someone commented a few weeks ago that the priests were probably wanting everybody to hurry along and get across the Jordan, so that they could get out of the way of that large wall of water! And yet, here God sends twelve men back into the middle of the river. And then Joshua comes and takes the time to construct a large monument himself! We know it is large because, even with the flooding Jordan, it is “…there to this day.” (vs. 9d), the writer states. All the while, the priests are faithfully standing…and waiting…on dry ground, in the middle of where the Jordan River should be. Finally, they are free to cross over. vs. 10-11 Notice, the people did not cross and then just do their own thing. They all were still watching, until the priests finally crossed over themselves. We know this because verse eleven tells us that the priests finished crossing “…in the sight of the people.” (vs. 11c) This was a holy and solemn day, as well as exciting. Everyone paid attention. They knew this was a momentous occasion, and I imagine that they soaked up every moment of it – probably, in awe! Then, almost as a footnote, we are told about the two and a half tribes who would settle on the east side of the Jordan who sent men to fight with their brothers, to clear out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. vs. 12-13 Don’t miss the details. Forty-thousand “equipped for war” (vs. 13a) were now standing on the plains facing Jericho. This would be their first test in the Promised Land. And notice the last detail in this verse. They people stood on the plains of Jericho “in the Lord’s presence.” (vs. 13b) God was with them, not only as they crossed the Jordan River; but even now as they faced the task of conquering the land! The next verses seem to be a summary added at some point to the narrative. It’s possible that they were written at the same time as the other verses around them, and it really does not matter if they were, or were not. Let’s read the summary…
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vs. 14-18 Two important things are stated in this summary. First, because of the events of this day, the people “…revered [Joshua] throughout his life…” (vs. 14c) For the rest of his days, they people remember this day and followed his leadership; at least for the most part, most of the time. The second important thing is the completion of God’s miracle. As the priests stepped onto dry ground on the other side, the Jordan River resumed its course; even “…flowing over all the banks as before.” (vs. 18d) Why is this detail given? Why might it be important? When the Jordan River immediately returned to flood stage, the people knew that they had not crossed on dry ground because the Jordan had mysteriously dried up. It was immediately at flood stage again! And they knew that it had not somehow been diverted permanently. In other words, they would forever know that there was no explanation for crossing the Jordan River on dry ground other than the fact that God did it! He made it happen. And if they ever began to doubt, they had a monument of twelve stones – taken from the middle of the river’s bed – they could look upon and remember: “It really did happen!” Any final thoughts, questions or comments?
If you have any questions related to this study or the material presented here, please email our Lead Pastor at: [email protected]; or write to him at: North East Park Baptist Church, Rev. Sam Letson, III, Lead Pastor, 3737 1st St NE, Saint Petersburg, FL 33704. For more information about North East Park, visit: www.nep.church. ©2017 – North East Park Baptist Church – All rights reserved.
Teacher: Book: Session: Passage:
Rev. Sam Letson, III, Lead Pastor Joshua #9 Joshua 4:1-18
[Read 4:1-24] Finally! After years of waiting, the Israelites are finally in the Promised Land! They are barely in, just standing on the west bank of the Jordan River. But they are in. The entire nation has crossed over, as we read at the beginning of chapter four. Chapter 4:1-2 Can you imagine the excitement? They had heard their whole lives; they had prepared for three days; and now, on dry ground, they have crossed the Jordan River. As the multitude gathers on the far side, God speaks to Joshua again. And what does He tell him? Answer: “Choose 12 men…” (vs. 2a) Someone read… Chapter 3:12 If you remember, when we were studying this previous passage we mentioned these twelve men, but then moved on, because the storyline does. Though they are mentioned in chapter three, verse twelve, we don’t know why they are mentioned until we get to the first verses of chapter four. Here we learn the importance of these twelve men, one from each tribe. Chapter 4:3 Now we see that not everyone had completed the crossing. Who had not yet come across to the other bank of the river? Answer: the priests holding the Ark of the Covenant. Where are they? Answer: They are still in the middle of the Jordan River, with the wall of water still hovering high above them! And what is God’s command, through Joshua, to the twelve men? Simply stated: go back into the middle of the Jordan River! Go back out there where the wall of water still stands. How do
Page 2 of 4
you think the twelve men felt about these instructions? Once safely across the flood-stage river, would you have been excited to go back out there again? The priests are still standing out there, and now the twelve go out there as well. They have a purpose…a task given to them by God. And what is it? Answer: to gather some rocks! Specifically, to gather twelve large stones from the spot where the priests had stood with the Ark. And what were they to do with their twelve stones? Answer: carry them to where the Israelites made camp that night. And there, they were to stack them and make a monument of stones, as we read next. vs. 4-6a The fact that they had to each “…lift a stone onto his shoulder…” (vs. 5c) speaks of the size and weight of these stones. They were not getting pebbles out of the creek bed. They were gathering massive stones from the middle of where the Jordan River normally flowed. In the north Georgia mountains, many years ago the YMCA established a summer camp for boys called Y-Camp. One summer I went there for a week. I didn’t particularly enjoy the experience, and never went back. And one thing I didn’t enjoy was a hike we took. One day all the counselors told us boys that we were hiking through the woods to the top of a mountain, and at the top we would have ice-cream. Someone was driving in from the other side, would meet us at the top, and would have the ice-cream for us. They also told us that we would receive an amount of ice-cream equal to the weight of stones we carried from the camp to the top of the mountain! We all believed them, and filled our pockets with little rocks and stones. Of course, when we got there, it was all a joke. There was no ice cream; just a pile of rocks from many summers of other boys falling for the same trick. I was not amused. What I cannot imagine is taking a very large stone, putting it on my shoulders, and carrying it to the place where we camped that night. But these twelve men did just that. And why? Because they were going to make a monument of remembrance and testimony, “a sign among you” (vs. 6a), as Joshua told them. vs. 6b-7 This monument of stones would be seen by future generations. And when seeing them, they would naturally ask, “Why are these here? What do they mean?” Today, we still have stones that serve as reminders – grave stones, monuments to famous events or people, and a host of others. Specifically, in these verses the Israelites are told that this monument of twelve stones would be “a memorial for the Israelites” (vs. 7d) through all generations. They would see the stones, and they would remember God’s amazing miracle of bringing their ancestors across the Jordan River on dry ground. As Joshua said, this would be a monument of remembrance “for the Israelites.” (vs. 7d), and their children.
Page 3 of 4
Next week, we will see that these twelve stones also would be a monument of testimony – both to the Israelites and to the all the nations. But for now, let’s see what the men did in response to Joshua’s command. vs. 8-9 What did the twelve men do? Answer: they did exactly what Joshua had commanded them to do, just as he had received the command from God. But what did Joshua do? We are told in verse nine that he set up a second monument of stones himself. And where was his monument? Answer: “…in the middle of the Jordan…” (vs. 9a) where the priests were still standing with the Ark of the Covenant. Someone commented a few weeks ago that the priests were probably wanting everybody to hurry along and get across the Jordan, so that they could get out of the way of that large wall of water! And yet, here God sends twelve men back into the middle of the river. And then Joshua comes and takes the time to construct a large monument himself! We know it is large because, even with the flooding Jordan, it is “…there to this day.” (vs. 9d), the writer states. All the while, the priests are faithfully standing…and waiting…on dry ground, in the middle of where the Jordan River should be. Finally, they are free to cross over. vs. 10-11 Notice, the people did not cross and then just do their own thing. They all were still watching, until the priests finally crossed over themselves. We know this because verse eleven tells us that the priests finished crossing “…in the sight of the people.” (vs. 11c) This was a holy and solemn day, as well as exciting. Everyone paid attention. They knew this was a momentous occasion, and I imagine that they soaked up every moment of it – probably, in awe! Then, almost as a footnote, we are told about the two and a half tribes who would settle on the east side of the Jordan who sent men to fight with their brothers, to clear out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. vs. 12-13 Don’t miss the details. Forty-thousand “equipped for war” (vs. 13a) were now standing on the plains facing Jericho. This would be their first test in the Promised Land. And notice the last detail in this verse. They people stood on the plains of Jericho “in the Lord’s presence.” (vs. 13b) God was with them, not only as they crossed the Jordan River; but even now as they faced the task of conquering the land! The next verses seem to be a summary added at some point to the narrative. It’s possible that they were written at the same time as the other verses around them, and it really does not matter if they were, or were not. Let’s read the summary…
Page 4 of 4
vs. 14-18 Two important things are stated in this summary. First, because of the events of this day, the people “…revered [Joshua] throughout his life…” (vs. 14c) For the rest of his days, they people remember this day and followed his leadership; at least for the most part, most of the time. The second important thing is the completion of God’s miracle. As the priests stepped onto dry ground on the other side, the Jordan River resumed its course; even “…flowing over all the banks as before.” (vs. 18d) Why is this detail given? Why might it be important? When the Jordan River immediately returned to flood stage, the people knew that they had not crossed on dry ground because the Jordan had mysteriously dried up. It was immediately at flood stage again! And they knew that it had not somehow been diverted permanently. In other words, they would forever know that there was no explanation for crossing the Jordan River on dry ground other than the fact that God did it! He made it happen. And if they ever began to doubt, they had a monument of twelve stones – taken from the middle of the river’s bed – they could look upon and remember: “It really did happen!” Any final thoughts, questions or comments?
If you have any questions related to this study or the material presented here, please email our Lead Pastor at: [email protected]; or write to him at: North East Park Baptist Church, Rev. Sam Letson, III, Lead Pastor, 3737 1st St NE, Saint Petersburg, FL 33704. For more information about North East Park, visit: www.nep.church. ©2017 – North East Park Baptist Church – All rights reserved.
