Remembering God’s Faithfulness: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Joshua 4

Executive Summary ✨

Joshua 4, “Memorial Stones from the Jordan,” is a pivotal chapter in salvation history, marking Israel’s triumphant entry into the Promised Land. This passage is far more than just a historical account; it is a profound lesson in remembrance, faith, and the importance of passing on God’s mighty acts to future generations. We examine the selection of twelve stones, representing the tribes of Israel, taken both from the riverbed and from the shore, serving as enduring memorials to God’s deliverance. Through a Coptic Orthodox lens, we explore the typological significance of the Jordan River as a symbol of baptism and death to the old life, and the stones as a representation of Christ and the Church. We delve into the Patristic understanding of these events, drawing parallels with the New Testament and offering practical spiritual applications for modern Christians. This chapter challenges us to actively remember God’s faithfulness in our own lives and to become living stones in the building of His kingdom. We must never forget God’s faithfulness, it is critical.

Joshua 4 recounts a divinely orchestrated memorial, a testament to God’s power in parting the Jordan River and enabling the Israelites to cross into the land He promised their forefathers. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness and the importance of preserving His memory for generations to come.

Commentary Sections 📖

Joshua 4:1-3 KJV

KJV: And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, which ye shall carry over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

NKJV: And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: “Take for yourselves twelve men from among the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”

The command to select twelve men, one from each tribe, highlights the unity of Israel in this momentous event. The twelve stones are not mere rocks; they are tangible representations of God’s covenant with each tribe. The placement “where the priests’ feet stood firm” underscores the priestly mediation and the sanctity of the crossing. We see here a type of the Holy Eucharist, in which the priests also stand firm offering the sacrifice to God. This moment connects to the Theotokia, specifically the verses praising the intercession of the Holy Saints.

Spiritual Application: Just as the Israelites were chosen, we too are chosen in Christ. Let us strive for unity within the Church, remembering that each member, like each tribe, has a vital role to play in God’s plan.

Joshua 4:4-7 KJV

KJV: Then 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 a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

NKJV: Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

The act of carrying a stone on one’s shoulder symbolizes the burden of remembrance and the responsibility to pass on the story of God’s deliverance. The question “What mean ye by these stones?” is a deliberate invitation for intergenerational dialogue and the transmission of faith. Saint Cyril of Alexandria speaks of such divine providence: “Θεὸς γὰρ οὐκ ἀμνημονεῖ τῶν ἰδίων εὐεργεσιῶν, οὐδὲ λήθην ἔχει τῶν χαρισμάτων.” (“For God does not forget His own acts of kindness, nor does He have forgetfulness of His gifts.” – Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on John*, Book 1, Ch. 9). The story MUST be told, even when our church websites need website maintenance.

Spiritual Application: Are we actively creating “memorial stones” in our lives—practices, traditions, or acts of service—that will prompt future generations to ask about our faith and the power of God? We must see ourselves as a link in the chain of faith, connecting the past with the future.

Joshua 4:8-9 KJV

KJV: And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

NKJV: And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

The act of setting up two sets of stones – one at the lodging place and one in the riverbed – signifies a dual remembrance: a public declaration of God’s faithfulness and a hidden testament to His power. The stones in the Jordan serve as a submerged, ever-present reminder. This has an important parallel in the Liturgy of St. Basil.

Spiritual Application: Our faith should be both outwardly visible and inwardly rooted. We should strive to be a witness to the world while also maintaining a deep, personal connection with God.

Joshua 4:10-14 KJV

KJV: For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them: About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

NKJV: For the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord crossed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. And the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord to battle, to the plains of Jericho. On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.

The obedience of the priests and the swift action of the people demonstrate the importance of submission to God’s authority. The military readiness of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh underscores their commitment to protecting the newly acquired land. God’s magnification of Joshua reinforces his leadership and affirms His divine appointment. This mirrors the way God appointed the Apostles.

Spiritual Application: Obedience, diligence, and courage are essential virtues in the Christian life. Let us strive to follow God’s commands with unwavering faith and unwavering commitment.

Joshua 4:15-18 KJV

KJV: And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, Command the priests that they come up out of Jordan. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.

NKJV: Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, “Command the priests to come up from the Jordan.” Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.” And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and flowed over all its banks as before.

The re-establishment of the Jordan River to its normal flow signifies the restoration of God’s natural order and the completion of His miraculous intervention. It’s also a reminder that miracles serve a specific purpose and are not to be expected continuously without cause. Just as the Jordan returned to its course, we are also called to return to our God.

Spiritual Application: God’s miracles are often temporary manifestations of His power, designed to reveal His glory and accomplish His purposes. Let us be mindful of His interventions in our lives and give thanks for His unwavering presence.

Joshua 4:19-24 KJV

KJV: And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever.

NKJV: Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

The establishment of Gilgal as a base and the final reminder to teach the children the meaning of the stones emphasizes the importance of passing on faith and God’s mighty acts to future generations. The connection to the Red Sea crossing reinforces the continuity of God’s deliverance and the unchanging nature of His power. The purpose is clear: that all nations might know God’s power and that Israel might fear (reverence) Him forever. God’s faithfulness is forever.

Spiritual Application: We are called to be intentional about sharing our faith with our children and grandchildren, ensuring that they know the story of God’s love and His saving grace. The fear of the Lord, a reverence of God, and knowledge of His glory, is essential to eternal life.

Key Teachings and Reflections ✨

Joshua 4 offers several crucial teachings applicable to our lives today:

• Remembrance is vital: Actively remembering God’s acts of deliverance is crucial for maintaining faith and gratitude.
• Passing on faith is a responsibility: We have a duty to teach our children and future generations about God’s faithfulness.
• Unity is strength: The unity of the tribes of Israel in crossing the Jordan demonstrates the power of community in accomplishing God’s purposes.
• Obedience is key: Following God’s commands with diligence is essential for experiencing His blessings.
• Miracles serve a purpose: God’s miraculous interventions are designed to reveal His glory and accomplish His will.
• Holistic Faith: Faith must be both outwardly visible (witnessing) and inwardly rooted (personal relationship with God).

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Joshua 4:

• Q: What is the significance of the Jordan River in Joshua 4?

  A: The Jordan River symbolizes a barrier to the Promised Land, representing the challenges and obstacles we face in our spiritual journey. Crossing it signifies overcoming these obstacles through God’s power, reminiscent of baptism and the leaving behind of one’s old life.

• Q: Why were twelve stones chosen?

  A: The twelve stones represent the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing the unity of the nation and God’s covenant with each tribe. They serve as a tangible reminder of God’s promise and His faithfulness to His people.

• Q: How does Joshua 4 relate to the New Testament?

  A: The crossing of the Jordan is often seen as a type of baptism, symbolizing our entrance into the Kingdom of God. Just as the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, we enter into a new life in Christ through baptism. Christ’s own baptism took place in the Jordan.

• Q: What practical lessons can we learn from Joshua 4 today?

  A: Joshua 4 teaches us the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness, passing on our faith to future generations, and remaining united as the body of Christ. It calls us to obedience, courage, and unwavering trust in God’s power.

Conclusion ✨

Joshua 4, “Memorial Stones from the Jordan,” resonates deeply with Coptic Orthodox spirituality, emphasizing remembrance, intergenerational faith, and the power of unity. The act of setting up the stones in Gilgal serves as a perpetual call to remember God’s unwavering faithfulness throughout history. The chapter compels us to actively teach future generations about our rich heritage, helping them learn that [God’s faithfulness] extends to every facet of their lives. Like the Israelites, we must see ourselves as living stones, building up the spiritual temple of Christ, remembering that His love and power are the foundation upon which we stand. Let us diligently cultivate a heart of remembrance, passing on the story of God’s salvation to all who will listen.

Tags

Joshua 4, Memorial Stones, Jordan River, Coptic Orthodox, Bible Commentary, Faith, Remembrance, Salvation History, Gilgal, Promised Land

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Explore Joshua 4: “Memorial Stones from the Jordan” through a Coptic Orthodox lens. Discover the deep spiritual meaning of remembrance, faith, and passing on [God’s faithfulness] to future generations.