In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel”, and in chapter four and verse six of the book of Joshua, we discover how Joshua told the twelve men, “this may be a sign among you” where we read,
That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean you by these stones?
The verse reads, “That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “that this may be a sign among you” which means “so this, the taking up of the twelve stones, might exist as a signal, distinguishing mark, banner, token and remembrance in the midst of you, the children of Israel”, “that when your children” or “so at the time and moment your, the children of Israel’s, offspring and progeny” “ask their fathers” which means “question their immediate male progenitors and ancestors” “in time to come” or “in the future”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking” the following words. Joshua told the twelve chosen men that the “twelve stones” would exist as a memorial to the people of Israel so at the time and moment their children question them concerning the following, they would have an answer.
The verse goes on to say, “… What mean you by these stones? Joshua added the words, “what mean you” or “whatsoever do you, fathers of the children of Israel, intend or indicate” “by these stones” which means “through the means of these large rocks”? Joshua told the twelve men how their offspring would wonder what is the significance of the “twelve stones”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua was to be concerned about the questioning of future generations concerning the “twelve stones”. These “large rocks” were to be a place of remembrance for the people of Israel concerning Jehovah God working on their behalf. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He knows they and we are subject to forget His provision, and sometimes a “stone or stones of remembrance” are what is necessary to remind us of His love. When God sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, that event became a memorial for all who will yield their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and remind us of the “cross” any time we question His presence, commitment and love toward us.
Next time we see how Joshua told the twelve men concerning when their children ask questions about the twelve stones, “answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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