Joshua Chapter 4

Memorial Stones: Remembering God’s Faithfulness (Joshua 4)

Stones of Remembrance

After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River at flood stage, God instructs Joshua to set up a memorial of twelve stones. Each stone was brought from the midst of the Jordan, right where the priests stood holding the Ark of the Covenant. Twelve men, one from each tribe, carried these stones to their campsite at Gilgal:

“He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.’” (Joshua 4:21-23, New International Version)

Archaeologically and historically, stone memorials were common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures as testimonies to extraordinary events or divine interventions. To modern eyes, these stones might seem humble or insignificant, but to ancient Israelites, they were powerful visual reminders of God’s mighty acts.

Remember, Retell, Renew

Memory was deeply valuable to the Israelites. Oral storytelling traditions constituted their cultural essence; stories communicated their identity, place in history, and their relationship with Yahweh. Setting these twelve stones was more than erecting a monument—it was establishing a perpetual testimony that future generations would see, prompting stories of God’s faithfulness to arise again.

The biblical mandate to “remember” (Hebrew זָכַר, zakar) carries a deeper nuance beyond recalling facts; it involves actively re-experiencing or spiritually reconnecting oneself to past events of God’s deliverance and care. The stones became “sermons” in stone, assuring the Israelites—and us today—that the God who provided in the past remains faithful now and in every tomorrow.

Stones Speak Across Generations

A spiritual lesson we may miss as Westerners is that biblical faith highly values tangible symbols, places, and community memory. While we often tend to spiritualize everything and avoid physical reminders (aside from Communion and Baptism in Protestant traditions), the Hebrew faith encouraged concrete visual reminders of divine intervention, binding generations together.

Historically, influential Christian thinkers like Augustine and Calvin emphasized the importance of passed-down faith. Augustine noted how visible memorials gave tangible reference points to God’s hidden grace. Calvin, reviewing this passage, stressed the need to guard against forgetfulness; humans easily slip into complacency and unbelief, losing sight of God’s prior acts of faithfulness.

Similarly, Jesus instituted communion as a tangible practical symbol, urging believers: “Do this in remembrance of me.” The memorial stones parallel communion—not as mere passive nostalgia—but as active, purposeful remembrance, renewing our faith and courage to trust in God’s sovereign care.

Cross-reference for further reflection:

Practical Implications for Believers Today

We too must have ways of marking God’s acts of kindness and deliverance. Whether through journals, songs, certain traditions, or artwork, our homes and families ought to have symbols and rituals pointing us purposefully back to spiritual milestones. These practices strengthen our faith, shape our identity, and reassure us in difficult seasons.

Consider the Hebrew significance behind the place name: “Gilgal” (Hebrew גִּלְגָּל) is related to the verb meaning “to roll away” or “circle.” Later, Joshua explains Gilgal as the location where God “rolled away” the shame and reproach from Israel’s slavery in Egypt (Joshua 5:9). Thus, the stones at Gilgal serve as reminders not merely of crossing Jordan, but of God’s faithfulness in fully redeeming and liberating His people.

Hymn Suggestion:

Consider the hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts. This hymn beautifully embodies the theme of God’s enduring care across generations and His faithfulness through all seasons of life.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Your compassionate and powerful hand carried Your people safely over the floodwaters of the Jordan. Help us to establish our own “memorial stones”—reminders that recall Your goodness and mercy in our lives. Embed in our hearts the stories of Your mighty acts, and grant us wisdom to pass them faithfully along to future generations. May these memories prompt praise, humility, and deeper trust in You, the unchanging and faithful God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Narrated version of this devotional on Joshua Chapter 4