Backpacking Through Joshua Week 4

Each chapter that I read in Joshua, I think, “oh, this is my favorite so far”! I think because in each I've learned something new.

Chapter 4 was no different. The Israelites have almost finished crossing the Jordan River and God gives specific instructions about constructing a memorial to Him. Twelve stones are to be gathered, one for each tribe, from the middle of the Jordan. They are to be set up as a permanent memorial to God's provision for His people.

One of the first things that stood out to me was verses 6 and 7:

...When your children ask in time to come, “What do those stones mean to you?” then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.

These words immediately made me think of Deuteronomy 11:19-20

“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Now, obviously, in Deuteronomy the reference is to the actual words of God (verse 18 clarifies) but the idea is there. In both cases, God was very clear about actively teaching the next generation. This, to me, is such a sweet way of showing that God cares about families.

The other thing that stood out was that this was permanent. This wasn't a memorial set up to withstand the next few months. This was a 12 stone monument that verse 9 tells us is still there “to this day.” What a beautiful picture to the Israelites (and to us) of the unchangeable, unshakable nature of God.

Both of these things speak to a caring, loving God. In all honesty, there have been many times in my life when I viewed God as a “meanie” sitting up there waiting to zap me for all those wrongs I did. Because I am such a rule follower, things were pretty clear to me. Following rules = Good girl and rewards. Not following rules (or questioning the rules) = Bad girl and punishment While rules are good and necessary, meting them out without the umbrella of grace and forgiveness simply equals misery because no one can live up to the rules.

He doesn't change. He didn't leave us without just as He didn't leave the Israelites. Even when they “broke the rules”!

God made provisions for the Israelites. He even told them what to teach their children. Teach them about my provision, my words, my commandments, my love, my grace, my forgiveness. All of these things point to the whole of God. Not just one part. Focusing on any one part of God to the exclusion of the other takes away a vital part from the whole of God.

One of the pitfalls of being married to a music guy is that very often a hymn or song sneaks in! This is actually one that I don't recall us having sung very often but the words grabbed me.

Great God, How Infinite Art Thou!

Great God, how infinite art thou! How poor and wear are we!

Let the whole race of creatures bow and pay their praise to thee.

Thy throne eternal ages stood, ere seas or stars were made:

thou are the everliving God, were all the nations dead.

Eternity with all its years, stands present in thy view;

to thee there's nothing old appears; to thee there's nothing new.

Our lives through various scenes are drawn, and vexed with trifling cares;

while thine eternal thought moves on thine undisturbed affairs.

Great God, how infinite are thou! How poor and weak are we!

Let the whole race of creatures bow, and pay their praise to thee.

This song, along with the reading of Joshua 4, reminded me that indeed one of the most gracious gifts we receive from God is His unchanging, never swerving nature.