Fantastic Forgetters

Nov. 13

Read: Joshua 5

Fantastic Forgetters

“What do those stones mean to you?” (v.6)

It is so easy to forget. Things we think we will never forget… well, they slip out of our consciousness and hide away in the recesses of our minds. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are fantastic forgetters. This is why the Lord sets up things- monuments, experiences, rhythms to life - that call his people to remember. As the people of God we ought to seek to remember the rescues… piling our own proverbial stones on the other side of the Jordan.

These stones were not small stones. Notice how the men carry them on their shoulders. (v.5) It took some strength… some effort to carry these stones and set up this monument. The idea would be that through he ages when people saw this monument they would ask about what it was saying, “What do those stones mean to you?” What a personal question in a way… it was not simply what do those stones mean, but rather what do they mean “to YOU”. This question cuts to the heart of the matter doesn’t it. It is not simply a regurgitating of some “history” facts but rather a personal testimony of sorts. After sharing the details of crossing over the river Jordan, it goes on to ask “How has the Lord’s rescue impacted you? What is you personal experience with the Lord and his provision?” The memorial would stand from generation to generation. When firsthand / experiencers of the Jordan dividing have passed away, the Lord seems to still anticipate others interacting with the monument. This means that God’s rescue of his people was not a one time event as much as it was an ongoing demeanor towards them. This rescue was yet another archetype / example of God’s protection, provision, and care for his followers.

We need to be able to stand on the other side of our own “Jordan River” experiences - on the other side of episodes of God reigning over chaos and evil - and celebrate God’s rescue of us. We look upon the monument with the chaos (the river Jordan) in the background rushing and overflowing! It is interesting to think about how the very stones used were things that once dwelt on the bottom of the river… surrounded by the chaos and water that was flowing over it. These stones were “rescued” in a way… carried out of the river and brought to dry land. This is why they didn’t build the monument form rocks they found on the other side … it had to be stones form the middle of the river. You could tell that they were river stones too… because of how smooth they would have been and worn by the water. These worn stones were a testament to perseverance in a way… they had endured the water and now were on the other side. What fit buts of creation to be used to build a place of remembrance.

This pile of stones would impact the entire known world in some way:

“…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (v.24)

Somehow, this would impact “all the peoples of the earth”. What God was doing was not ONLY for Israel, but would have ripples and impact everyone on earth. The Lord was and is weaving a story that would tell everyone of his might and power. The Lord was and is calling ALL people to a healthy awe and “fear” of him. When we remember and share the ways that God has rescued us it echos out into the world and tells of his might and power. May the Lord help us remember. That is the funny thing about memories… how certain smells, sounds, sights can trigger a memory and bring it back to us form the recesses of our minds. May God gift us with many opportunities this week to remember the many ays he has rescued us! In his love and mercy may he place a “pile of stones” in our path that stops us and reminds us of his love, provision, and power! Let us look back at the many ways he has brought us to the other side of chais and evil. Love you guys. - JDP