JOSHUA: TWO MONUMENTS
Monuments have been built for millennia to commemorate a person, or an event, or both. It is therefore not surprising that we see many monuments being built during Bible times.
What is most striking, is the apparent building of two monuments by Joshua at the end of the forty years’ journey that Israel took in travelling through the wilderness and their entry into the Promised Land.
The children of Israel did just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from 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. (Joshua 4:8, 9)
Notice that the 12 representatives from the 12 tribes of Israel were to build a memorial to commemorate God’s Provision towards Israel in making a way across the River Jordan, and into the Promised Land (v7). But it seems an unnecessary duplication, and hence a waste of effort, to build two monuments……. So, what about this other memorial in the River Jordan itself, that would not be seen all the while the river flowed (v9)?
I believe that this second memorial, that Joshua alone made, was in recognition of God’s Presence within the dry riverbed, where the feet of the priests who bore the Ark of the Covenant (i.e. God’s presence), had stood.
When we see the hand of God’s provision in our lives (job, income, relationships, protection, healing, etc….), we rightly rejoice, celebrate, and perhaps commemorate, such times in a prayer journal or a diary. What we rarely do is to recognize God’s Presence during the difficulties and stuff of life, to celebrate and enjoy our relationship with Him. Jesus’ name is Emmanuel, “God with us”. Whenever we encounter God with us, we should rejoice and revel in His presence.
In the gospel of Luke, we read of the story of Jesus healing ten lepers (Luke 17:11 – 17). You may recall that nine who were healed, showed themselves to the priests that they were now cleansed (and they presumably rejoiced over this fact), but one, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus, recognizing His presence and glorified God. I am sure this tenth man ultimately went to see the priests and rejoiced at God’s provision of healing, but the most pressing thing on this man’s mind following being cleansed was being with Jesus.
Today, in the midst of the stuff of life, will we too, look for Jesus and appreciate and celebrate both His Provision, and His Presence…….?
