THE VALUE OF MEMORIALS. Joshua 4 Some experiences happen to us only once in a lifetime, and we try to cherish them each year. Our birthday and wedding day are two examples of special days that we fondly remember as each year goes by. Those of us whom God’s grace has saved vividly recall the day we moved from darkness to light. Some of the Lord’s followers forget almost everything in old age, but most remember their day of salvation with joy, which stands above all others.
In countries, there are days when we remember events of great national importance, like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving Day. By taking time off work and regular activities, we honor and respect those who made our way of life possible. Christmas and Easter are religious days that hold significance for Christians. Enjoying these days is not wrong, but the key point is what happened then and how it impacts us today.
Memorials, traditions, and family moments are important for each generation. Older individuals can remember the past and recount the Lord’s ways of blessing, correction, and teaching that were so necessary for our effective living. The family’s adult generation needs these memorials to remind them that their actions, whether good or bad, will leave lasting impressions on their generation and the next. Children and teenagers need memorials to connect them to their heritage and to those who have distant memories or are only represented by pictures in an album.
Memorials can be visible objects, like the pile of stones beside the Jordan River for the children of Israel. Other memorials are stories told and retold to children, helping them create mental pictures of their own and remember their significance in a family line. God uses both methods to impress upon us and keep us, as His children, aware of what matters to Him. The weekly Lord's Supper, testimony meetings, Gospel meetings, and all other gatherings of the congregation serve as memorials themselves.
Some things that happen are not important at all. What difference does the cost of a gift make, or whether people are short or tall? The value of a matter, a person, or a thing is determined by God, not by how much money it can bring into our bank accounts. God wanted His people Israel always to remember His power in delivering them from slavery, providing for them during forty years in the wilderness, and leading them into the promised land. After they crossed the Jordan River, they were to build a monument with twelve stones from the river's bed to remind future generations that, after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, He miraculously parted the river to bring them into their new home.
God promised Abraham that this would happen to those who follow after him, and He fulfilled that promise. The way He wanted them to remember was for Joshua to build a pile of stones in the middle of the river where the ark was when the people crossed, and for a leader of each tribe to bring a stone and set up a pillar in Gilgal. This served as a reminder that the hand of the Lord, the God of Israel, is mighty and should be reverently feared by all nations.
The twelve stones in the river symbolize a past that is gone but not forgotten and should not be the focus of life. A new life began when they crossed into the land of promise. What the Lord did for us when we were saved was to provide us with wonderful redemption, and the unleavened bread of God's word became very meaningful to us. The pile of stones serves as a reminder of where we are now in our Christian walk. We remember significant events in this new life that influence how we live and remind us again of God's promises regarding our future. The chapter clearly states two reasons for miracles: first, so people may know the Lord, and second, so all people will reverence the Lord.
Significant memorials serve various purposes in cities across our country and around the world. They commemorate victories, heroes, and important events that took place in that location. People visit these special sites to take photos so children can learn about their heritage. When older people look at these memorials today, they aren't filled with despair. They understand that tough times and defeats happened in the past, but lessons were learned, and we should remember that struggles don't last forever. Look at these statues and think of the events they commemorate. Learn from what the memorials teach us about the past, and avoid making the same mistakes again.
The first pile of stones at Gigal was the first of many set up over the following years in the land of promise to remind the Israelites who they truly were and who their God was. The pile of stones over Achan’s body would remind them to “Be sure your sin will find you out!” The pile over the body of the king of Ai reminded them that even if someone thinks they are a winner, without faith in God, they are ultimately losers. The ruins of Jericho reminded them of God's mighty power over all obstacles that men might raise against Him. The pile of stones that closed the cave where five Canaanite kings were buried served as a warning to nations that God is the supreme ruler of the universe. Altars were built of uncut stones to ensure people understood the essential need for salvation and worship in the lives of God’s people.
Some things that happen are not important at all. What difference does the cost of a gift make, or whether we're short or tall? The value of a matter, a person, or a thing is determined by God, not by how much money it can bring into our bank account. God always intended His people, Israel, to remember His power in delivering them from bondage, providing for them during forty years in the wilderness, and bringing them into the promised land. After they crossed the Jordan, they were to set up a tower with twelve stones from the riverbed to remind future generations that after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, He miraculously opened the river to lead them to their new home.
We have memorials to uphold today that teach us the truth in our Christian life, which influences how we live and believe. One is the Bible, God's Word in our hands, to provide us with spiritual illumination. The Bible is not just a memorial to past events and the truth of God that was taught to previous generations. Reading it awakens our minds to unchanging truths.
The act of baptism signifies our union with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It serves as a memorial of God's grace shown to us. He has given us the great gift of eternal salvation, and God has accepted us in the Beloved. The gathering of God's saints during holy convocations, like Bible conferences, reminds us that on earth, we are a special people. By God’s grace, we are a chosen generation, so in this world, He will have a people who belong to Him. Each new generation will learn the truth of the Gospel through those He saves by His grace.
The Lord's Supper each week is perhaps the most important memorial we observe, and we do this weekly. It reminds us of our Savior and His death on the cross without the need for a written tutorial. There are visible reminders of the body and blood of the Lord, which He gave when He paid the price to bring us to God. We look at the bread and see evidence of our Lord Jesus, His life, and His death. Our Lord gave His life, and like a seed planted in the ground—just as the Scriptures say— from that seed, a new life was given to us through death, burial, and resurrection, and we now live in Christ who rose again for us. We have been raised as new creations to live the new life that is in Him. The Holy Spirit has placed us into the Body of Christ, even though we still live among men here on earth. The bread of communion that we partake in holds a significance of great worth.
The cup symbolizes the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ gave us when His blood was shed. Even though we were lost sinners, His death has the power to save us. His life was eternal, and by His grace, He offers that same kind of life to us—those who, in faith, look to Him alone for salvation and trust completely in Him. More meaningful than the twelve stones from the Jordan River, which were placed along the bank, are the saints gathered worldwide around the Lord's table to thank God. We do not just passively walk by a statue to genuflect or look at a pile of stones; as living stones, we come together to praise and worship, giving all the honor to our Savior.
The Place: Where the children of Israel crossed the Jordan, the heap of 12 stones was piled up for all to see at Gigal, where they crossed. When the children asked what the 12 stones meant, they would retell the story of God's faithfulness. In this way, the memories of God’s dealings would be kept fresh for generations to come.
The Purpose: It is important to remind future generations of God’s ways and dealings with His people. In this country, our children suffer from revisionist history, which is always a sign of departure. The traditions, special days, and special places remind them of how God has worked for us in the past. We, too, must pass on to those who follow us how we were saved, how God answered prayers, and how God supplied our needs.
The Power: The stones would remind them of the Lord Himself, who brought them out of Egypt and across the wilderness for forty years. Then, there was the evidence of His presence still in the ark of the covenant. God didn’t want His people to be unprepared for the task ahead of them. They were to focus on God and remember who was guiding them. Too much activity may cause your focus to shift away from God.
The Principle: Visible and audible reminders help keep important things in mind for future generations. Retelling stories of God’s dealings with us keeps memories of God’s faithfulness alive. In these reminders, people learn about God and His ways, not just special skills for themselves. The 12 stones would remind them that all are important to God. Whether one was from the kingly tribe of Judah or the last tribe of Benjamin, no one was unimportant. There was an uncut stone for each tribe.