Joshua

Memorial Stones

Joshua 4:1-9

 

Opening Words: It has become my custom to preach on a single Old Testament character during the summer months. Perhaps, you remember one of these characters from past: Nehemiah, Elijah, Ruth, Moses, Joseph or Esther. This summer we are looking at Joshua’s story.

 

Do you remember his story to date? The story of Joshua begins with a funeral. Just as God’s Chosen people are about the enter the Promised Land their leader, Moses, dies. He is replaced by is aid, Joshua. At first he was a cautious leader. Two weeks ago we talked about how Joshua sent two unnamed spies into the Promised Land. The received some unexpected help from an unexpected source, the local prostitute, Rahab. (I am sure there is an untold story there.) Last week we talked about meeting the goals in your life as the people crossed the Jordan. This week we look at the very first thing the people did when they entered their new home. The first thing they did was build a memorial. Today I want to answer the question: why memorials are important. Let me call this message Memorial Stones. May God give you ear to hear this weekends scripture lesson, Joshua 4:1-9.

 

Joshua 4:1-9 1 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight." 4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." 8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. 9 Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.

　

Did you know there are 1336 historical markers in the state of Ohio? That figure comes from the Ohio Historical Society. You have seen them countless times. They are made of aluminum and provide a record of Ohio‘s history. They remind us of many things. From the infamous Civil War Raid of John Morgan to the invention of the cash register, to the birthplaces of Gone with the Wind's Clark Gable and crooner Dean Martin, these markers have transformed the state's landscape into a constellation of interesting places, people and events.

 

Did you know the newest historical marker in Mahoning County is located at the Canfield Cemetery? It is historical marker number 28-50. That marker tells the cemetery has served the area for two centuries. The oldest graves are unmarked. They date between 1798 and 1803. The oldest marked grave belongs to Huldah Tanner who was buried in 1803, the same year Ohio became a state. The land for the cemetery was given to the community by Elijah and Rhoda Hopkins Wadsworth in 1810. Sometimes historical markers are formal.

 

Sometimes historical markers are informal. Have you ever driven down the highway and spotted a pile of random items. There is always a small pile of flowers. There is a stuffed teddy bear and a series of ribbons. There is a plastic cross and a picture of someone in the middle. Why is that picture important? The picture is of someone who died on that spot in a traffic accident. That informal memorial was placed their by that individual’s family or loved ones so they wouldn‘t be forgotten.

 

Have you ever stopped to consider how many memorials exist within the life of the church? In every church there is a cross. In the Roman Catholic tradition Jesus is hanging on the cross to remind us of his suffering. In the Protestant tradition the cross is empty to remind us of his resurrection. We go to the communion table and remember Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” When we baptize our young we remember the promises we made when our children were young. When you attend a wedding you remember the vows you took when you were young. The church is filled with memorials.

 

If you have ever noticed a memorial then you will be able to understand this weekend’s scripture lesson. Do you remember the story? After decades of waiting to enter the Promised Land the great day has finally come. They enter the Promised Land in the same way they exited bondage. God parts the water. However, this time He parts the Jordan River. We were told last week the priests were to carry the arch of the covenant through the Jordan River and the people were to follow at a safe distance. The good new is no one got wet feet. The water divides and everyone passes through on dry ground. It is at this point that we find ourselves today.

 

Joshua doesn’t just march into the future. He recognizes the significance of that day and decides to put up a memorial on that spot. He selects twelve men, one from each tribe and tells them to go back into the Jordan River. They are to select twelve stones and place them on the spot that the priests laid the arch of the covenant in their new home. Joshua arranges the twelve stones and the text ends with these words: And they are there to this day.

 

Why are memorials important? Why did Joshua take the time to build this memorial? Why not just run into the future without any thought of the past? Why do we need memorials today? Why not just run into our future? Memorials play an important role in our society. Today, I am going to give you three reasons why memorials are important. So if you are ready to begin say, “Amen!”

 

The Need

We need memorials because our memories are short. Joshua 4:6-7 says, “In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." I do not know if it is age, schedule or a lack of sleep but I sometimes suffer from a short memory. Maybe you have too? Have you ever forgotten a name? Have you ever forgotten your anniversary or a loved ones birthday? Everyday I wake up and make a list of things I need to do so I won’t forget something. We need memorials because we have short memories.

 

There’s a story about a city dweller who was visiting relatives on a farm and the farmer gave a whistle and his dog herded the cattle into the corral, then she latched the gate with her paw. "Wow, that’s some dog. What’s her name?" The forgetful farmer thought a minute, and then asked, "What do you call that red flower that smells good and has thorns on the stem?" "A rose?" "That’s it!" The farmer turned to his wife. "Hey Rose, what do we call this dog?"

We need memorials because we have short memories. The people of Israel took twelve rocks from the Jordan River so they would never forget what God had done on that day. When you come to church you look at the cross so you will never forget what Jesus has done for you. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

 

The Use

We use memorials to teach others what is really important. Joshua instructs the people to select twelve stones from the Jordan River. Why? Joshua 4:6-7 says, “To serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.”

 

British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge once had a discussion with a man who firmly believed that children should not be given formal religious instruction, but should be free to choose their own religious faith when they reached maturity. Coleridge did not disagree, but later invited the man into his somewhat neglected garden. "Do you call this a garden?" the visitor exclaimed. "There are nothing but weeds here!" "Well, you see," Coleridge replied, "I did not wish to infringe upon the liberty of the garden in any way. I was just giving the garden a chance to choose for itself."

 

How many people to you know are not taking responsibility for their children’s spiritual maturity? Their children live in a fine home. Their children go to a fine school and wear fine clothes. They have been to Disney World and they never miss a baseball game. They have taken lessons on the best way to hit a curve ball. They are wonderful parents except for one glaring shortcoming. They are leaving it up to their children to decide for themselves about their faith. What do you think they will decide to be as an adult? They will decide to be a nothing! And they will lack the one thing they really need in a life, a firm foundation. When those children experience hardship in their lives hitting a curve ball won’t matter. The only thing that really will matter is God. Why would anyone want to spend eternity in heaven without their children? Don’t go out and buy the children in yourself another batting glove. Buy them a cross and tell them what Jesus has done for them. We use memorials to teach others what is really important. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

 

The Nature

The nature of memorials is eternal. Joshua 4:8 says, “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." No one puts up a memorial for a weekend. You put up a memorial for the ages.

 

When I was young it was common knowledge that Columbus discovered a America. The year was 1492. Now some have some questions. Some believe Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho discovered America in 1421. He came not to the Atlantic coast. He came to the Pacific Coast in some of the largest ships of all time. Not everyone who believes this is a radical nut. Years ago the D.A.R., the Daughters of the American Revolution, believed Ho was first the first to discover America. So they erected a monument in memory and in honor of him. However, that community didn’t handle that memorial well. There was such a local up roar so they took Ho’s memorial down. (Some people just don’t like change.) Memorials are meant for the ages.

 

In America over the past fifty years we have been taking down memorials of our Christian past. During the 1960s prayer and Bible reading in schools were considered illegal. In the 1980s posting the Ten Commandments was considered illegal. It is now considered insensitive to say, “Merry Christmas!” We now must say, “Happy Holidays!” Those were memorial that were meant for the ages! Memorials are meant for eternity. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” Let me end with these words.

 

One of the things I am considering doing today is driving to Vinton, Ohio. There is an historical marker there, number 16-27. That marker is there to remind us that the Civil War made it to the Buckeye State. Written on the historical marker are these words:

 

During the American Civil War 1860-1865, a Confederate cavalry, led by Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan, infiltrated the states of Kentucky, southern Indiana, and southeastern Ohio as a diversionary tactic to draw northern troops from eastern Tennessee. The 2,500 calvarymen passed through Gallia County, Ohio, and reached the village of Vinton on July 17, 1863. The Rebels plundered the town searching for horses and food. They crossed the covered bridge over Big Raccoon Creek and then burned the 120-foot structure behind them. Area residents were left unharmed and no lives were lost.

 

That historical marker is there for the same reason all memorials exist. They are an eternal reminder of the past and teach us what is really important. Joshua had twelve stones taken out of the Jordan River to build a memorial so they generations to come wouldn’t forget that great day! When you look at the cross may you never forget what Christ has done for you! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”