Joshua 4:6
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? 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?
The twelve stones taken from the Jordan and set up at Gilgal by divine direction were to commemorate Israel's miraculous passage through the river on dry ground at its first encampment in the promised land. They were to stand as a lasting sign and memorial, so that when children in time to come asked what the stones meant, their fathers could explain how God cut off the waters before the ark and brought His people across by His power. The question was to open the way for instruction that impressed mind and heart, as parents recounted God's providence, goodness, mercy, power and care in leading and delivering His people. Teaching and retelling that history from one generation to the next kept His wonderful works in view, strengthened faith, and led each generation to remember and praise Him. So believers are to set up their own stones of witness by recording what God has wrought for them, for grateful remembrance strengthens faith to receive more, and testimony joined to a Christlike life reveals Christ with power for the salvation of souls.
The Stones as Sign
The twelve stones taken from the Jordan were set up at Gilgal by divine direction to commemorate the miraculous passage across the river. That setting up is recorded in Joshua 4:1-9. Gilgal was Israel's first encampment in the promised land, and the stones erected there made the place a reminder of God's deliverance.
The stones were to serve as a lasting sign and memorial for future generations and descendants. The monument was meant to keep the miraculous crossing in remembrance and to preserve God's dealings with Israel in memory. It kept His providential care, goodness, mercy, power, and deliverance in view as a history to be taught from one generation to the next. It was a lasting sign of His miracle, intended to pass the story of His mighty act from one generation to the next.
When children in time to come asked what the stones meant, their fathers could explain the events and lessons connected with the passage into the promised land. They could tell how God had delivered Israel by opening the river for them to cross. They could tell that Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground by God's power, brought across on dry land. They could tell that the waters of the Jordan had been cut off before the ark of the Lord as Israel crossed.
The twelve stones would also prompt remembrance of Israel's covenant with the Lord on entering the promised land. That covenant involved the twelve tribes, and it was later recalled when Elijah rebuilt the altar with twelve stones.
Teaching Future Generations
The stones were set up as a sign and memorial so that when children in later time asked what they meant, the question itself would open the way for instruction. That instruction was to impress both mind and heart and to keep the memory of God's wonderful works alive. In answering, parents were to tell the story of God's dealings with Israel, recounting how He had led and delivered His people and setting forth His providence, goodness, mercy, power, and care. Those visible memorials were to be preserved and that history taught and retold from one generation to the next, so that God's power and care were kept in view and in remembrance. By this continual retelling faith was strengthened across the generations, and each generation was led to remember Him and to praise Him.
Personal Stones of Witness
As Israel stood by the Jordan, so believers in their own pilgrimage are to raise up stones of witness to keep every gift of God fresh in memory. Upon those memorials is to be inscribed the precious story of what God has wrought for them along the way. Such remembrance is for their own benefit, strengthening faith to claim and to receive still more from His hand.
Gratitude melted into praise that bears the mark of personal experience declares thanksgiving and pays vows to the Lord openly before His people. When that testimony is supported by a Christlike life it reveals Christ to the world with irresistible power for the salvation of souls.