Remembering the Works of God

A message from Joshua 4 by Phil Draper 25/05/08

To listen to Phil's message click here mp3

Monumental Moments

Events of Joshua ch.4
* The people cross the river into the Promised Land (3:17, v1,10,12-13)
* Joshua chooses 12 men to represent each tribe (3:12, v2)
* The 12 men carry out the instructions (v8)
* Priests leave the river; river resumes flowing (v11, 16-18)
* Joshua sets up the stones (v9,20)
* Purpose of the memorial (v6-7, 21-22)

Observations and Biblical principles
1) 'The Lord said to Joshua'(v1 &15) - Joshua following God's instructions step-by-step, speaking them out to the people while God caused the miracle to correspond (3:13, 4:18). The people obeying in turn. A prerequisite for blessing and prevailing, at home or in church life.
2) 'Choose 12 men from among the people' (v2) - Representatives, so every tribe involved. All benefited, all represented. 'take up 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan' (v3) - The commemoration was directly linked to the place of God's presence represented by the Ark.
3) 'The Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel' v14 - This event epitomised Joshua as an outstanding, godly leader. Exalted by God, not by his own ability; he trusted God - God did the miracles. A man of faith and courage, taking on the mantle of Moses. Leadership authority is derived from authentic relationship to God , not from position. 'And they revered him all the days of their life' - God will bring such leaders of faith and courage the respect and trust of their people. In the same way, a people who do what is right before God will be held in high esteem (Pr 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation).
4) 'Joshua set up the twelve stones' -
  a) 'To serve as a sign among you' (v6)- A sign:   a visible pointer of something that cannot be seen. A sign of God's power, presence, his care and faithfulness to fulfil his promises.   A sign of transition from aimless wandering to fulfilment of promise and new purpose.
  b) 'A memorial for ever' (v7) - Remembering was to enable later generations to have a sense of participation in this event through association with their forefathers.
  c) 'when your children ask you...'(v6)   and on to further generations (v21). 'when your descendants ask their fathers....' - To prompt questions from the younger generation.
  d) 'Tell them...' (v7,22) - To create an opportunity to answer and so glorify God. Testifying from one generation to another of God's greatness. Passing on the baton and the present generation picking it up - Joshua as an example of this ref v10.
  e)   'So that all peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God' (v24) - Leading to reverence and worship to God. Not just those present but 'all peoples of the earth'.   Those who oppose God and his people would lose confidence in their own abilities (5:1 'their hearts sank'). For the Lord's reputation and glory.

For the people of Israel, setting up this memorial was to 'set in stone' a celebration of God's miraculous power in bringing his promise to fulfilment, not only in the fact that they entered the promised land but in the way they entered it.

Summary of Biblical principles
1) A people willing to follow in faith and obedience, trusting in God's power can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles through his power and intervention.
2) It's in the place of God's presence that his power is revealed.
3) Retaining such 'monumental moments' (significant encounters with God) at the forefront of our memories will cause us to live in the light of them, prompting questions from others, and subsequent generations,   enabling them to identify with our experience and to come to know for themselves that God is powerful, and so to worship and glorify him.

Monumental moments
Monuments of our faith: The Lord's supper, the cross, the resurrection, baptism.

However, the lesson of the OT is that pointers to God's presence in historical events is not enough of itself (see Judges 2:6-10). The presence of God has to also be seen in the lives of the present generation of parents for it to 'catch on' in the lives of their children. Authentic Christianity. We need God's presence with us, in our meetings and as we go about our daily lives. Signs of God's presence revealing his power are essential if the next generation (and unbelievers) are to be impacted and cross over into the Kingdom of God. E.g. Clear signs of life-change,   prayers answered, miracles, healings, times when God speaks very significantly to us (prophecy, his Word), etc.

What 'monumental moments, things or people' stand out for you? There may be people who've been significant in our spiritual growth and development. You don't get monumental moments unless you're on a journey.

Application and challenge
•What does the next generation see in you? What do your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other people's children see? Ready to answers them from   lives lived with God.

•Writing down our testimony/story. Your personal tract or a fuller account for later generations and unsaved family members to read. Even better if the impact of God on your life is so apparent that they don't have to ask!

•Being a 'monument' to challenge others. Aspiring to be 'pillars of the church', impacting other people's lives by serving faithfully and authentically; impacting people by stepping out in gifts of the Spirit for them.

•'A memorial ... for ever' (v7) - everything other than living for God   is temporal. Let's build with silver and gold (1 Cor 3:12).

•Giving our children, and later generations, a godly inheritance. Enabling them to 'stand on the shoulders' of previous generations to achieve ever greater thing for God.

The gospel

Entering the Kingdom of God (or the kingdom entering us!). Crossing over from darkness to light (Acts 26:18)

Becoming a believer - sometimes in miraculous ways; life change visible to others. At the place of God's presence

Response

No longer being a blasé observer. Being a participant in the presence and power of God amongst His people.

Crossing the river - no turning back. Yes, there'll be battles, but there'll also be victories for the Kingdom of God.

Monuments stand up and stand out. They're to be seen. Visible, definite action as a witness to others and to yourself.