What does Joshua 4:7 mean?
"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." - Joshua 4:7
Joshua 4:7 (KJV) states: "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 forever." This verse from the book of Joshua carries great significance in the history and faith of the Israelite people, and it is rich with themes of faith, remembrance, and divine intervention.
The context of this verse is the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt, and now they were on the brink of entering the Promised Land. However, the Jordan River stood in their way, and it seemed like an insurmountable obstacle. Yet, with the guidance and intervention of the Lord, the waters of the Jordan were miraculously "cut off" when the Ark of the Covenant, representing the presence of God, passed over it. The crossing of the Jordan River was a pivotal event in the history of the Israelites, as it symbolized their transition from a period of wandering and hardship to the fulfillment of God's promise of a land flowing with milk and honey.
In this verse, the Lord commands the Israelites to gather twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan River and set them up as a memorial of this miraculous event. These stones were to serve as a reminder to future generations of the faithfulness and power of God, as well as a testimony to the great deeds He had done on behalf of His people. This act of setting up the stones for remembrance underscores the importance of acknowledging and preserving the memory of God's intervention and provision in the lives of His people.
The theme of faith is central to this verse, as it highlights the Israelites' trust in the Lord and His ability to lead them through seemingly impossible situations. The crossing of the Jordan River required a great deal of faith on the part of the Israelites, as they had to believe that God would indeed part the waters and allow them to pass through safely. Their obedience in carrying out God's command to set up the memorial of stones also demonstrated their faithfulness and commitment to God.
Furthermore, the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant and the crossing of the Jordan River holds profound spiritual significance. The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God among His people, and its passage over the Jordan River foreshadowed the presence of Christ, who would lead His people into the promised salvation. The crossing of the Jordan can also be seen as a type of baptism, symbolizing the transition from a life of bondage and sin to a new life of freedom and salvation in Christ.
Ultimately, Joshua 4:7 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and provision, as well as the importance of remembering and commemorating His mighty works. It encourages believers to have unwavering faith in God's promises, to remember His past deeds, and to pass down the stories of His faithfulness to future generations. This verse also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of salvation through Jesus Christ, who leads His people from the wilderness of sin to the eternal Promised Land.
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Joshua 4:7 - "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."
"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." - Joshua 4:7
Joshua 7:4 - "So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai."
Joshua 4:15 - "And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,"
Joshua 4:4 - "Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:"
Joshua 4:17 - "Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan."
Joshua 7:16 - "¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:"
Joshua 7:22 - "¶ So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it."
Joshua 4:20 - "And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal."
Joshua 3:4
"So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai." - Joshua 7:4
Joshua 3:4
Joshua 7:10 - "¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?"
Joshua 10:7 - "So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour."
"And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying," - Joshua 4:15
Joshua 1:7-9
Joshua 11:7 - "So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them."
Joshua 5:7 - "And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way."
Joshua 19:4 - "And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,"
Joshua 4:1-8
Joshua 4:1 - "And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,"
Joshua 4:14 - "¶ 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."
Joshua 7:20 - "And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:"
Joshua 7:7 - "And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!"
Joshua 4:1-8
Joshua 10:4 - "Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel."
Joshua 7:23 - "And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD."
Joshua 4:10 - "¶ For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing 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."
Joshua 3:7 - "¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee."
Joshua 4:9 - "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."