1. The MAKING of a memorial of 12 stones.
Vs. 1-9
1) The PLACE where they got the stones.
Vs. 9 
Remember God wanted the people to have a clear view of the Ark of the Covenant.
It symbolizes the power and presence of God. Gal 2:20

2) The PURPOSE of the stones
Vs. 4-9
-1 It was to REPRESENT the 12 tribes of Israel.
The emphasis is upon the unity of the nation; every tribe is included on equal terms.
-2 It was to REVEAL to future generations what happened at the Jordan River.
The purpose is for the stones to be a “sign,” an always-present pointer to the great miracle by which God has brought them into the land

-3 It was to REMEMBER what God had done forever.
Vs. 7b

2. The MANNER in which the Ark of the Covenant was honored.
Vs. 10-11
Why did the Ark remain?
So that, no one could doubt what the presence and the power of God had done.


3. The MEN who were ready for war.
Vs. 12-13
Verse 13 highlights the obedience by the 40,000 warriors joining the Israelite forces “for battle,” considerably less than the sons of Reuben and Gad listed in Numbers 26:7, 18.


4. The MOVING of the Ark of the Covenant and its results.
Vs. 14-18
1) The IMPACT on Joshua himself.
Vs. 14 He was exalted
The crossing of the Jordan is clearly a parallel to the crossing of the Red Sea. Exodus 14:31

2) The INSTRUCTION of Joshua.
Vs. 16
God initiates the next stage by commanding Joshua to instruct the priests bearing the ark to come up out of the river (v. 16).


3) The IMPORTANCE of the Ark was very clear.
Vs. 18
When the presence of God, symbolized by the ark, is removed from the river, the normal conditions of the creation are resumed.


5. The MESSAGE of the 12 stones.
Vs. 19-24
1) The PLACE where the 12 stones were taken.
Gilgal is 2 miles northeast of Jericho.
Two heaps of stones were set up as memorials of Israel’s crossing of the Jordan River.

In later years Gilgal became an important center for the nation.
Gilgal was important to Joshua because it became his camp and center of operations (Josh. 9:6; 10:6, 15, 43; 14:6).

The significance of the day is that it was when the Passover lamb was selected, in preparation for its sacrifice on the fourteenth day of the month (Exodus 12:3, 6).


2) The PAST life they must leave behind.
Vs. 20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal.
The monument at Gilgal reminded the Jews that God had opened the Jordan River and brought them safely across into the Promised Land.
They had made a break with the past and were never to think of going back.
Paul expresses this same idea in Romans 6:3-4
The basic truth Paul was teaching is the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.

Paul continues in vs. 5-7
The new nature is based on our being united with Christ.
Gal 2:20



3) The PROCLAMATION that they should make to their children.
Vs. 21-23
The Jews were great believers in teaching the next generation about Jehovah and His special relationship to the people of Israel (4:6, 21; Ex. 12:26; 13:14; Deut. 6:20; see Pss. 34:11–16; 71:17–18; 78:1–7; 79:13; 89:1; 102:18).


4) The PURPOSES behind this great event.
-1 It was to REVEAL the power of God
Vs. 24 “all the people of the earth”
-2 It was to REQUIRE that all might fear the Lord forever.
It is for Israel’s benefit,
Luke 22:17-19, Ps 103:1-2
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