Joshua 4: Rocks That Tell a Story

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a Welcome to Chapter by Chapter, a four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest four-year journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word book given to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter. 7 minutes a day it chapter by chapter. 7 minutes a day it chapter by chapter. 7 minutes a day and 7 days a week. Join us each day and and 7 days a week. Join us each day and and 7 days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join share it with others so they can join share it with others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. this journey that will be life-changing. this journey that will be life-changing. We will stop at unexpected places on the We will stop at unexpected places on the We will stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We will have will create awe and wonder. We will have will create awe and wonder. We will have chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in others we will find joy and comfort. We others we will find joy and comfort. We others we will find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey to change, but all in all the journey to change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may will be worth it. Once in a while we may will be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear take a detour on the journey and hear take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on their from some of God's servants on their from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of favorite passages from a chapter of favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their scripture and let them give you their scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small insight. Every journey needs a small insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get detour occasionally. The best way to get detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the the most from this podcast is read the the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or after. Tis word that transforms. You'll after. Tis word that transforms. You'll after. Tis word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can ever find more and see more than I can ever find more and see more than I can ever articulate. articulate. articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and Welcome to Chapter by Chapter and today's chapter is Joshua 4, Rocks That today's chapter is Joshua 4, Rocks That today's chapter is Joshua 4, Rocks That Tell a Story. Tell a Story. Tell a Story. To visit the capital of the United To visit the capital of the United To visit the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., is to see States, Washington, D.C., is to see States, Washington, D.C., is to see about 150 stone monuments scattered all about 150 stone monuments scattered all about 150 stone monuments scattered all over the city to remind people over the city to remind people over the city to remind people of this nation's history.

of this nation's history. of this nation's history. The Washington Monument, the Jefferson The Washington Monument, the Jefferson The Washington Monument, the Jefferson Monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the MLK Monument, and the Soldier, the MLK Monument, and the Soldier, the MLK Monument, and the Lincoln Monument are just some of the Lincoln Monument are just some of the Lincoln Monument are just some of the memorial stone pieces. Each of them memorial stone pieces. Each of them memorial stone pieces. Each of them having amazing stories behind them. One having amazing stories behind them. One having amazing stories behind them. One of my favorite that connects New York of my favorite that connects New York of my favorite that connects New York City to D.C. is the Lincoln Monument. City to D.C. is the Lincoln Monument. City to D.C. is the Lincoln Monument. Six brothers carved Lincoln's statue in Six brothers carved Lincoln's statue in Six brothers carved Lincoln's statue in the Bronx. The French tasked six the Bronx. The French tasked six the Bronx. The French tasked six brothers who had immigrated from Italy brothers who had immigrated from Italy brothers who had immigrated from Italy with chiseling Lincoln's likeness out of with chiseling Lincoln's likeness out of with chiseling Lincoln's likeness out of 28 blocks of white Georgia marble. 28 blocks of white Georgia marble. 28 blocks of white Georgia marble. Already renowned for carving the New Already renowned for carving the New Already renowned for carving the New York Stock Exchange's pediment and the York Stock Exchange's pediment and the York Stock Exchange's pediment and the Washington Square Arch in Greenwich Washington Square Arch in Greenwich Washington Square Arch in Greenwich Village, the Piccirilli brothers carved Village, the Piccirilli brothers carved Village, the Piccirilli brothers carved the slabs in their sprawling workshop in the slabs in their sprawling workshop in the slabs in their sprawling workshop in the New York City borough of the Bronx. the New York City borough of the Bronx. the New York City borough of the Bronx. We have powerful rocks all over We have powerful rocks all over We have powerful rocks all over Washington D.C. to tell our story. This Washington D.C. to tell our story. This Washington D.C. to tell our story. This is Joshua 4. It's about two piles of is Joshua 4. It's about two piles of is Joshua 4. It's about two piles of rocks to remind a generation and a rocks to remind a generation and a rocks to remind a generation and a nation what God has done in this new nation what God has done in this new nation what God has done in this new chapter of their existence. Joshua 4 is chapter of their existence. Joshua 4 is chapter of their existence. Joshua 4 is memorable and epic. An entire nation has memorable and epic. An entire nation has memorable and epic. An entire nation has just crossed over the Jordan River. Two just crossed over the Jordan River. Two just crossed over the Jordan River. Two and a half tribes have kept their and a half tribes have kept their and a half tribes have kept their promise and crossed with them to help promise and crossed with them to help promise and crossed with them to help them obtain their inheritance.

them obtain their inheritance. them obtain their inheritance. Joshua is exalted on this miracle day by Joshua is exalted on this miracle day by Joshua is exalted on this miracle day by God so people would respect them as they God so people would respect them as they God so people would respect them as they do Moses. But the item that takes up do Moses. But the item that takes up do Moses. But the item that takes up most of the space of this chapter is two most of the space of this chapter is two most of the space of this chapter is two piles of rocks. The first thing God piles of rocks. The first thing God piles of rocks. The first thing God talks about as they leave the desert and talks about as they leave the desert and talks about as they leave the desert and enter a new geography is rocks. Listen enter a new geography is rocks. Listen enter a new geography is rocks. Listen to Joshua 4:1. Now when all of the to Joshua 4:1. Now when all of the to Joshua 4:1. Now when all of the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, nation had finished crossing the Jordan, nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua saying, "Take the Lord spoke to Joshua saying, "Take the Lord spoke to Joshua saying, "Take for yourself 12 men from the people, one for yourself 12 men from the people, one for yourself 12 men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command them man from each tribe, and command them man from each tribe, and command them saying, 'Take up for yourselves 12 saying, 'Take up for yourselves 12 saying, 'Take up for yourselves 12 stones from here out of the middle of stones from here out of the middle of stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan from the place where the the Jordan from the place where the the Jordan from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and priests' feet are standing firm, and priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them carry them over with you and lay them carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will down in the lodging place where you will down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.'" Right where they would lodge tonight.'" Right where they would lodge tonight.'" Right where they would pitch their tents and set up their base pitch their tents and set up their base pitch their tents and set up their base camp, you would see 12 stones. camp, you would see 12 stones. camp, you would see 12 stones. They would be there for a Q&A. This is They would be there for a Q&A. This is They would be there for a Q&A. This is Joshua 4:6. Let this be a sign among you Joshua 4:6. Let this be a sign among you Joshua 4:6. Let this be a sign among you so that when your children ask later so that when your children ask later so that when your children ask later saying, "What do these stones mean to saying, "What do these stones mean to saying, "What do these stones mean to you?" Then you shall say to them, you?" Then you shall say to them, you?" Then you shall say to them, "Because the waters of the Jordan were "Because the waters of the Jordan were "Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant cut off before the ark of the covenant cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, when it crossed the Jordan, of the Lord, when it crossed the Jordan, of the Lord, when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.

the waters of the Jordan were cut off. the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall become a memorial So these stones shall become a memorial So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." The to the sons of Israel forever." The to the sons of Israel forever." The rocks would tell a story of God's rocks would tell a story of God's rocks would tell a story of God's greatness. The story would be for the greatness. The story would be for the greatness. The story would be for the younger generation. It seems it was for younger generation. It seems it was for younger generation. It seems it was for children whose feet did not feel dry children whose feet did not feel dry children whose feet did not feel dry ground in the Jordan, but can see the ground in the Jordan, but can see the ground in the Jordan, but can see the rocks from the Jordan. rocks from the Jordan. rocks from the Jordan. This is what a memorial is. This is what a memorial is. This is what a memorial is. Many today were not alive during World Many today were not alive during World Many today were not alive during World War II, but we can let the stones tell a War II, but we can let the stones tell a War II, but we can let the stones tell a story to us. The stones would tell an story to us. The stones would tell an story to us. The stones would tell an amazing story to those who are not yet amazing story to those who are not yet amazing story to those who are not yet alive. alive. alive. That's really why you put up a pile of That's really why you put up a pile of That's really why you put up a pile of rocks in our cities, to tell those who rocks in our cities, to tell those who rocks in our cities, to tell those who are not yet alive what happened in the are not yet alive what happened in the are not yet alive what happened in the past. The Jordan River would split now past. The Jordan River would split now past. The Jordan River would split now for a nation to cross over to fight for for a nation to cross over to fight for for a nation to cross over to fight for their inheritance, but it needed to be their inheritance, but it needed to be their inheritance, but it needed to be retold in the future that a river some retold in the future that a river some retold in the future that a river some 200 mi long, almost 10 ft deep, and up 200 mi long, almost 10 ft deep, and up 200 mi long, almost 10 ft deep, and up to a half a mile across opened for the to a half a mile across opened for the to a half a mile across opened for the nation to get to the other side. The Red nation to get to the other side. The Red nation to get to the other side. The Red Sea had no rocks on the other side Sea had no rocks on the other side Sea had no rocks on the other side because they were not going to live on because they were not going to live on because they were not going to live on the other side of that sea. This river the other side of that sea. This river the other side of that sea. This river would be different. It was opening up would be different. It was opening up would be different. It was opening up for a nation to be a nation on their own for a nation to be a nation on their own for a nation to be a nation on their own soil. God wanted these rocks to speak to soil. God wanted these rocks to speak to soil. God wanted these rocks to speak to the children and their children's the children and their children's the children and their children's children, but Joshua did something else.

children, but Joshua did something else. children, but Joshua did something else. Joshua went a little further with the 12 Joshua went a little further with the 12 Joshua went a little further with the 12 stones. He would set up two memorials. stones. He would set up two memorials. stones. He would set up two memorials. They would be a pile of rocks in Gilgal They would be a pile of rocks in Gilgal They would be a pile of rocks in Gilgal that everyone could see, and there would that everyone could see, and there would that everyone could see, and there would be a pile of rocks in the middle of the be a pile of rocks in the middle of the be a pile of rocks in the middle of the Jordan which no one could see. This is Jordan which no one could see. This is Jordan which no one could see. This is Joshua 4:8. Thus the sons of Israel did Joshua 4:8. Thus the sons of Israel did Joshua 4:8. Thus the sons of Israel did as Joshua commanded and took up 12 as Joshua commanded and took up 12 as Joshua commanded and took up 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan stones from the middle of the Jordan stones from the middle of the Jordan just as the Lord spoke to Joshua just as the Lord spoke to Joshua just as the Lord spoke to Joshua according to the number the tribes of according to the number the tribes of according to the number the tribes of the sons of Israel, and they carried the sons of Israel, and they carried the sons of Israel, and they carried them over with them to the lodging place them over with them to the lodging place them over with them to the lodging place and put them down there. Then Joshua set and put them down there. Then Joshua set and put them down there. Then Joshua set up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the at the place where the feet of the at the place where the feet of the priest who carried the ark of the priest who carried the ark of the priest who carried the ark of the covenant were standing, and they are covenant were standing, and they are covenant were standing, and they are there to this day. there to this day. there to this day. We are told that the first pile would be We are told that the first pile would be We are told that the first pile would be in Gilgal. That's Joshua 4:20. Those 12 in Gilgal. That's Joshua 4:20. Those 12 in Gilgal. That's Joshua 4:20. Those 12 stones, which they had taken from the stones, which they had taken from the stones, which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And Gilgal would be an important historical Gilgal would be an important historical Gilgal would be an important historical place to Israel. Israel would crown place to Israel. Israel would crown place to Israel. Israel would crown their first king at Gilgal in 1 Samuel their first king at Gilgal in 1 Samuel their first king at Gilgal in 1 Samuel 11:14 and 15. There David would be 11:14 and 15. There David would be 11:14 and 15. There David would be welcomed back after Absalom's rebellion welcomed back after Absalom's rebellion welcomed back after Absalom's rebellion was subdued, 2 Samuel 19:15. Samuel the was subdued, 2 Samuel 19:15. Samuel the was subdued, 2 Samuel 19:15. Samuel the prophet would travel travel through prophet would travel travel through prophet would travel travel through Gilgal to prophesy, 1 Samuel 7:16. The Gilgal to prophesy, 1 Samuel 7:16. The Gilgal to prophesy, 1 Samuel 7:16. The school of the prophets was in Gilgal in school of the prophets was in Gilgal in school of the prophets was in Gilgal in the days of Elijah and Elisha, 2 Kings the days of Elijah and Elisha, 2 Kings the days of Elijah and Elisha, 2 Kings chapter 2 and 2 Kings chapter 4. And for chapter 2 and 2 Kings chapter 4. And for chapter 2 and 2 Kings chapter 4. And for the book of Joshua, Gilgal and the 12 the book of Joshua, Gilgal and the 12 the book of Joshua, Gilgal and the 12 stones would be command central for the

stones would be command central for the stones would be command central for the military campaign. military campaign. military campaign. Gilgal is spoken of in Joshua chapter 9, Gilgal is spoken of in Joshua chapter 9, Gilgal is spoken of in Joshua chapter 9, Joshua 10, and Joshua 14. Joshua was Joshua 10, and Joshua 14. Joshua was Joshua 10, and Joshua 14. Joshua was always launching from Gilgal and always always launching from Gilgal and always always launching from Gilgal and always saw the 12 stones before heading into saw the 12 stones before heading into saw the 12 stones before heading into battle. battle. battle. It's the second pile that is interesting It's the second pile that is interesting It's the second pile that is interesting and intriguing. and intriguing. and intriguing. It was the pile of rocks no one would It was the pile of rocks no one would It was the pile of rocks no one would see that are still there to this day in see that are still there to this day in see that are still there to this day in the middle of a river. the middle of a river. the middle of a river. Why set up a visible memorial Why set up a visible memorial Why set up a visible memorial and an invisible memorial? and an invisible memorial? and an invisible memorial? Why would you put 12 stones underwater? Why would you put 12 stones underwater? Why would you put 12 stones underwater? I have this feeling the Gilgal stones I have this feeling the Gilgal stones I have this feeling the Gilgal stones were for the people and the Jordan were for the people and the Jordan were for the people and the Jordan stones was for Joshua. stones was for Joshua. stones was for Joshua. I think Joshua did not want to answer I think Joshua did not want to answer I think Joshua did not want to answer questions. He just wanted to raise his questions. He just wanted to raise his questions. He just wanted to raise his voice in praise. I think the 12 voice in praise. I think the 12 voice in praise. I think the 12 underwater rocks underwater rocks underwater rocks were for the new commander. were for the new commander. were for the new commander. He had a river 200 miles long that could He had a river 200 miles long that could He had a river 200 miles long that could be seen at various times and that body be seen at various times and that body be seen at various times and that body of water was his personal Gilgal. of water was his personal Gilgal. of water was his personal Gilgal. Whenever he saw Jordan, he knew God Whenever he saw Jordan, he knew God Whenever he saw Jordan, he knew God opened the waters up for him. He knew opened the waters up for him. He knew opened the waters up for him. He knew that this was his Red Sea crossing. He that this was his Red Sea crossing. He that this was his Red Sea crossing. He knew God exalted him as the new leader.

knew God exalted him as the new leader. knew God exalted him as the new leader. He knew those 12 rocks told his story. He knew those 12 rocks told his story. He knew those 12 rocks told his story. I think we all should have 12 rocks I think we all should have 12 rocks I think we all should have 12 rocks underwater. underwater. underwater. They're for you and God. No questions They're for you and God. No questions They're for you and God. No questions need to be asked, need to be asked, need to be asked, just a shout of praise of what God has just a shout of praise of what God has just a shout of praise of what God has done. done. done. Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 book, the Bible, the word of God. 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.