YT 12 Joshua part 7 chapter 4

The Book of Joshua

Chapter 4
Recapping:

Two things we need to bear in mind:

Chapters 3 and 4 are the same day, with chapter 5 a day or two later according
to the text and the three chapters of the text are filled with figurative symbolism.

God is literal and figurative in his communication. God’s written word is the literal
revelation of His will expressed figuratively. The literal expression of God declares who
God is and what He has done ~ this is seen in the actions of His works.

God’s figurative expressions are the revelation of God’s ways ~ His manner and
method. God’s works are objective, His ways subjective. The point being ~ why bother
mentioning all of the details in chapters 3, 4, and 5 if there is no significance to it?

In this lesson the topic of discussion we will cover is the figurative message of
the pictorial of the 12 stones: there are 12 stones taken from the Jordan to the lodging
place (later called Gilgal), and there are 12 stones set up in the Jordan.

We will also consider the area where the stones were collected in the Jordan;
who carries the stones; how they were carried; the lodging place they were carried to;
who sets the stones as a memorial in Gilgal; as well as the meaning of the 12 stones
set in the Jordan ~ all are significant to the figurative pictorial.

There is also the figurative language of the calendar of months and days of the
appointed time of the Son of the Covenant that will be considered in a future lesson.

Joshua 4:1-6:

“And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that
the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, take you twelve men out of the people, out of
every tribe a man, and command ye them, saying, take you hence out of the midst of
Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall
carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place where ye shall lodge this
night.”

“Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of
Israel, out of every tribe a man: and Joshua said unto them, pass over before the Ark of
the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone
upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: that
this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come,
saying, what mean ye by these stones?”

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“And it came to pass” the expression of this phrase used here and again in the
beginning of chapter 5 carries the idea of something coming about ~ such as events
that have turned out a certain way.

Thus, when all the people were passed over the Jordan, the LORD spoke to
Joshua concerning the 12 men of every tribe whom Joshua had prepared of the children
Israel. After all the people passed over, the Lord instructs Joshua to take 12 men to the
midst of the Jordan before the Ark.

The Ordinal Two

Twice in the chapter is mentioned ~ 12 men “out of every tribe a man.” The
ordinal two in the figurative language of scriptural numerology speaks of the testimony
of a true witness.

Here is the testimony of witness ~ out of every tribe a man was chosen. Not two
or three from one tribe, but every tribe chose a man. Joshua did not choose the men
(Joshua 3:12), each tribe chose their own man.

The witness is of the cooperation of Israel with the LORD and with one another.
God is not a dictator, He is the Sovereign. There is a difference. A dictator dictates ~
there is no freedom in a society where a dictator is in power but, a sovereign will rule in
justice.

The Ordinal Twelve ~ 12 Men

Twelve is the ordinal that figuratively refers to governmental perfection. Israel is

going into the covenant land of promise as a collective body.

Thus, it is understood that most likely the elders of each tribe asked after the
counsel of the LORD to choose the man whom He had appointed. The elders of each
tribe would ask the LORD, who do we send?

Joshua did however prepare the men chosen. As the appointed leader of the
nation it was Joshua’s responsibility to prepare each man for his task. Remember,
Joshua pictures the “Conqueror”.

How much preparation does one need to pick up a stone on their shoulder and
carry it to the lodging place? Clearly from the details more was involved than just
picking up a stone and going to camp. We need to remember to think military. Israel
accomplished many task the day they crossed the Jordan, which would not be a
problem for a trained army.

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The Figure of Stones

Typically stones in the scripture figure the heart: be it the heart of humanity; or
the heart of the nation; or the heart of God depending on the content of the text in
consideration. In this case the figure of the stones are both the nation and the LORD.

First, the 12 stones figuratively speak of the heart of Israel ~ not one heart in
Israel is left out ~ but is lifted and borne (carried) to the lodging. God looks at the heart.
Each “member” of this body is responsible to one another as a collective.

Next is the heart of God for his people Israel ~ seen in the stones that are to be a
sign among them of the heart of God, placed as a memorial of that which the LORD
God did for Israel. Every time they looked at the stones, what will they think? The
LORD parted the water; the LORD dried up the ground; the LORD… They will see that
the LORD is for Israel.

The Figure of the Shoulder

Israel is to carry the stones on their shoulders. The shoulder has a wider and more
varied range of motion than any other joint in the body. The shoulder joint is not held in
place with bones, but rather an elaborate system of muscles, tendons, and ligaments
called the shoulder girdle. The primary function of the shoulder girdle is to give a belt of
strength, and range of motion to the arm.

Figuratively the shoulder, the girdle of strength, speaks of the place where burdens
are borne. Each “member” of this body (a collective government of God) is responsible to
one another as a collective.

The Figure of the Priests’ Feet

The stone is to be taken from where the priests’ feet stood firm on dry ground.
Israel had been traveling behind the Ark. Now they are passing over right in front of the
Ark. Isaiah 52, speaking of the joy of Jerusalem the holy city when the kingdom shall be
established, verse 7 reads:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings,
that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that
says unto Zion, Thy God reigns!”

Feet are the members of the physical body that give stability and balance to the
whole body. Figuratively the stability and balance of government of the kingdom of God
will be the priesthood. The government will not be one of politics or economics but
religion ~ faith in the Covenant Son.

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Joshua is to command the men to pass over before the Ark of the Covenant,
take a stone out of the midst of the Jordan where the priests’ feet stood firm, and
carry the stone upon their shoulder back to their lodging place.

No specifics such as size, weight or color of the stone to be chosen is given, only
that once the stone was selected, it is to be carried upon the shoulder. So obviously this
was not a little rock but something that carried some weight.

Subsequently, after the instructions are given the question that comes to mind,
who goes first? Which man from what tribe? Did they all just walk into the Jordan as a
group, and start picking up stones? I hardly think so given the solemn atmosphere.

Personally, besides the instructions given, I believe that there was an order in
which each man from each tribe picked up the stone upon his shoulder.

While I cannot be dogmatic as to who picked up the first stone, I believe the first
man was from the tribe Asher. Why? Because of the figurative message, and order of
the plan of the Eternal Covenant the heavens declare.

The plan of God from eternity was for a creation of sons of God ~ man in His
image after His likeness ~ a kingdom of priests. The revelation of this truth is first
witnessed in the figurative message of the stars with their signs in the sign Libra. The
standard ~ family crest of Asher is Libra.

Libra is the sign in the heavenly revelation that begins in Eternity, which gives us
our starting point. The Eternal Covenant declared in the heavenlies was laid out before
there was the written word. And the written word gives the details of that which was laid
out in the heavenlies. Also sprinkled throughout the written word is the confirmation of
the Eternal Covenant declared in the heavenly revelation.

The confirmation of the earthly kingdom of sons of God that the heavens declare
(that there is going to be a kingdom of God) is written in the record of Psalm 19 and
follows the pattern of the heavenly revelation.

The Eternal Covenant in the heavens is a heavenly revelation of an earthly

kingdom. Psalm 19 following the pattern of order declared in the heavens is the written
confirmation.

Psalm 19 ~ Kingdom Song

The Psalm is identified as a “kingdom song” because of the reference to the

Bridegroom, the Betrothed Beloved of Israel and gives a vivid pictorial of the fulfillment
of the will of God done in the kingdom of God on earth as it is done in heaven.

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As far as I have understanding this Psalm is the only portion of written scripture
which gives the complete revelation of the figurative message of the Eternal
Covenant of the stars with their signs declared in the heavens in figure.

The book of Psalms is the hymnal of Israel’s sacred songs (Matthew 26:30,
Mark 14:26, Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). Psalm 19 is known as an antiphonal
hymn.

Antiphonal Singing:

Antiphonal music is music that is performed by two semi-independent choirs in

interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases. Examples of this form of antiphonal
singing occur in the Old Testament in the Psalms where two choirs sing half lines of
psalm verses, musically known as stanzas.

Division of Psalm 19:

The Psalm is divided into two sections. The two sections of the Psalm form
musically identical, complementary couplets written in harmony with each other.

In section one of the Psalm verses 1-6 is the first choir representing “the
heavens”. Section two in verses 7-10 is the second choir representing on “earth”
echoing back the alternate answer singing in perfect harmony.

The three refrains within the Psalm ~ verses 11,12, and 13 are connected to the
Feasts of Jehovah which will be celebrated according to the lunar time periods in the
kingdom age.

Finally verse 14 in the song is considered the Halleluiah or benediction – the

expressed relief, welcomed gratitude of praise. God is all in all; His will is done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Each section of the Psalm is a perfect reflection of the other illuminating the
same witness of the ways, works, and words of God “done” in the Eternal Covenant in
the Son of the Covenant.

When the two verses of the song (one and seven) are linked, the message of the
heavenly revelation ~ “The heavens declare the glory of God” (1) echoed with the
response on earth ~ “the Law of the LORD is perfect” (7), gives in figure the complete
revelation of the thoughts and intents of the proposed plan of man in God’s image after
His likeness ~ a kingdom of sons of God.

For Example:

For example, the first half of verse one of the Psalm, “The heavens declare the
glory of God” is the message of the glory of God declared in the first sign Libra.

The responding alternate musical phrase echoed on earth is the first half of verse
seven “The Law of the LORD is perfect.” This is how the psalm would be sung.
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All of that to say, as Psalm 19 declares the pictorial of the establishment of the
earthly kingdom I believe that a son of the tribe of Asher ~ “Happy” ~ the family crest
Libra ~ speaks of the Risen One ~ the Begotten Son took the first stone.

Next in line, carrying the family crest of the standard Virgo was a man of the tribe
of Naphtali. In figure the sign Virgo of the family crest of Naphtali ~ “My Wrestling”
speaks of the sacrifice of the Birthed Son. The LORD begins with the begotten Son
resurrected then goes to the birthed Son. That is because God starts with the end and
fills in.

Judah would be next carrying the family crest Leo. In figure the sign Leo of the
family crest of Judah ~ “Praise” speaks of the Victor and so on and so on through all 12
men.

Sign / “Memorial”

The stones were a sign and memorial. A sign ~ is an indicator or fact ~ that gives
a measurement of value. For example, a red sign that has S-T-O-P gives value to that
sign – it means something. A memorial is a structure that is established to remind
people of a person or event.

The 12 stones are a sign to Israel to remind them of the event of the crossing,
and to act as a memorial to give a measurement of value to that which the LORD did.

When the children ask their fathers in time to come ~ “what is the meaning of
these stones,” the answer to be given is very uncompromising and precise.

The Sameness of God

Joshua 4:7 ~ Joshua 4:21-23:

When the children ask…this is how Israel will answer…

“Then ye shall answer them, that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the Ark
of the Covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were
cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever…

…And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, when your children shall ask
their fathers in time to come, saying what mean these stones? Then ye shall let your
children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your
God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the
LORD your God did to the Red sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were
gone over:…”

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The repeated text of verses 21-23 acts as a reminder of the sameness of God.
He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Although the first-generation Israel died in
the wilderness in unbelief, and this second generation has crossed over to the land
promised, God is the same.

He is not a respecter of persons ~ or generations. He is other than His creation

and will accomplish that which He purposed in eternity past ~ man in His image, after
His likeness ~ sons of God ~ a kingdom of priests.

The Conqueror and 12 Stones

Joshua 4:8-9:

“And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve
stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the
number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the
place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the
feet of the priests which bare the Ark of the Covenant stood: and they are there unto
this day.”

Joshua set up 12 stones where the priests’ feet stood in the Jordan. This
presents the reader unfamiliar with the figurative language of symbolism with the
question “Why do that? Nobody is going to see those stones.” That’s the point.

The stones in the lodging place, are a memorial ~ but 12 stones in the Jordan?
The stones in the Jordan are going to be covered over, once the waters return to their
place. The stones set up in the Jordan are neither a sign nor a memorial that represent
the nation. That stony heart of Israel is figured as completely cleansed, never to be
seen or remembered again, once the waters wash over them.

As they are neither a sign or memorial the 12 stones in the Jordan represent the
heart of the nation ~ that the stony heart in figure as completely cleansed, never to be
seen or remembered again once the waters return to their place.

This generation Israel is figurative of the last generation Israel ~ the future
generation on the dawning of their new day as a nation born in a day, cleansed by fire,
and baptized with the Holy Ghost. That last generation will be completely cleansed with
no remembrance of former things.

New Things

Isaiah 42:8-9 and Isaiah 43:18-19 reads:

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“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither
my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new
things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I
will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it...?”

Pictured here, is God doing a new thing.

The Steadfastness of Obedience

Joshua 4:10-11 & 4:15-18:

“For the priest which bare the Ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until everything
was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to
all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. And it
came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the Ark of the LORD
passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

…And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, command the priests that bear the
Ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. Joshua therefore commanded the
priests, saying, come ye up out of Jordan. And it came to pass, when the priests that
bare the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and
the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan
returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as before.”

Joshua the Conqueror sets up the stones. They are never going to be seen again
~ because He is the Conqueror and the nation believed in the Conqueror. The stony
heart is cleansed and the former things remembered no more.

Joshua comes out of the Jordan, then the priests come out. Can you imagine the
priests standing still for half a day until all of these things were accomplished?

The priests had set out early that morning carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the
LORD of all the earth with Joshua, the 12 men, and all the people following.

Stepping into the Jordan, the LORD had done a wonderous thing ~ the waters
parted, and they walked on dry ground and had stood still on dry ground for hours.

The priests stood holding the Ark as a multitude filed past and then continued to
stand as the 12 men came back into the Jordan to gather their stones and then stood
some more as Joshua set up 12 stones.

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Obviously, there was a discipline of spirit that has been worked in these men.
They can stand still as they know whose Authority they are under, and to Whom they
are accountable.

Consumed with their duty out of the love borne from their hearts, their freedom is
to do as they ought too. They are sons of God ~ His priests. They are the mediators of
righteousness bearing “the good tidings of good, publishing salvation: saying unto Zion,
Thy God reigns!” The priests are constrained by love in their service to Him.

The Obedience of the Two and Half Tribes

Joshua 4:12-13:

“And the children of Rueben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of
Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:
about forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the
plains of Jericho.”

These two and a half tribes had earlier agreed that in return for being allotted the
rich pastureland east of the Jordan, they would help their brethren possess the land
west of the Jordan before settling down in their own territories (see Numbers 32).

There has been some confusion as to the wording of the half tribe of Manasseh.
The tribe of Manasseh was divided into halves. Half choosing to stay on the land east of
Jordan and the other taking residence west.

Having recently taken a census of all the men of war twenty years old and
upward (Numbers 26) the total number being 601,730: 110,580 of that sum was from
the two and a half tribes.

Thus the 40,000 “mighty men of valor” that are mobilized from the two tribes and
the half tribe of Manasseh recorded is less than half of their men of war.

Because this is a military operation all the mighty men of valor from all the tribes
would be on a rotation of service, just like our military is today. The conquering of the
land took years and years.

As a matter of fact, by the time Joshua died at 110 they had been in the land 50
years and still had not taken possession of all that the LORD promised.

So, the idea that those men who crossed the Jordan before their brethren armed
for war and not returning until the remaining tribes west of the Jordan had “rest” is
unimaginable.

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Not to mention there would need to remain some of the men of valor for the
protection of the women, children and the cattle that demanded guarding east of
Jordan. The LORD is logical, practical, and kind in His dealings. This is a nation and
everyone takes his turn at fighting.

If you read ahead in Joshua you will see that when the nation goes to war
against Ai the first time, the number of men sent were only 3,000.

Magnification of Joshua

Joshua 4:14:

“On the day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared
him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.”

Faithful to His word, the LORD (just as He had said He would) magnified Joshua
before they crossed. Remember that the word magnify has the meaning to become
great, make great, grow up, promote. The beginning of Israel fearing Joshua ~ having
respect for him, was due in part to their participation in the wonders that the LORD had
done that day with Joshua as their leader.

It is one thing for Moses to transfer his leadership to Joshua under the command
of the LORD, and quite another thing for the LORD to confirm it through magnifying
Joshua in the sight of all Israel.

Because Israel participated with Joshua in the wonders that the LORD had done,
they entered into what the LORD was doing in and through their new leader.

And so it was, that they feared him all the days of his life as they had feared
Moses. Fear ~ respect, is not the same thing as admiration. You can admire someone
without honoring him. The word “fear” used here carries the idea to be reverenced ~
honored. Joshua is not honored for who he was, he was an ordinary man. Joshua is
feared ~ reverenced because of his relationship to the LORD.

He was a man who no matter the cost or consequences followed wholeheartedly

after the LORD. He knew it was not wrong to believe God and refused to hearken to any
other voice but the LORD’S.

This conclude our lesson. If you’d like to prepare for the next lesson please read
Deuteronomy chapters 27 and 28:1-10.

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