The Stones Can Talk

As Linda is on leave, here is one of her most read posts from over the past few months.

I reckon I would find it very interesting to hear their story.

Joshua 4:1-24

Reference: “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.”” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Explore: “If these stones could talk!”

Ok, so I know the real saying is “if these walls could talk” but I’ve just read Joshua 4 and there weren’t any walls around to watch what happened. There were stones though and I reckon I would find it very interesting to hear their story.

Stones aren’t very good with knowing time but these particular stones had been in the middle of the river Jordan for a long time. There were times when the river flowed well over their heads and sometimes when it was a quiet trickle.

On this particular day the waters were flowing thick and fast until all of a sudden the water stopped altogether. Instead of the stones feeling the pounding of the water on their bodies they actually felt the sun on their backs.

Before they knew why or how, they heard some feet walking on the earth beside them. Priests carrying the ark of the Covenant came and stood right above them.

While the stones started to dry out, a whole nation came across the river bed. Hundreds upon hundreds, thousands upon thousands, walked over each stone, past the priests with the ark of the covenant and onto the other side of the river, completely dry.

Then suddenly, 12 men returned and picked up one of the stones each. After being embedded in the middle of the river for so many years they were carried to the edge of the river and placed in the camp of the nation.

But as they looked back over the place they had laid for so long, they saw the priests arrive at the other side of the river and as soon as their feet stood on dry ground the river waters came flooding back in full force again.

Oh if only those stones could talk!

Application: We all know stones can’t talk, but we can. Those stones were placed before the nation as a reminder of the mighty miracle God had done for the Israelites.

And every time one of the people who had crossed on dry land walked past the stones they were reminded of God’s power. And as the years passed and new generations were born, the parents and grandparents would tell their children of the mighty God they serve.

Let us not forget to tell the stories. It may be a story we read in the Bible or a personal encounter we have had of God ourselves.

Be the mouthpiece for the stones and never stop telling of God’s might and power.

Prayer: Lord God, Your power was great thousands of years ago when the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry land, and Your power is just as strong today. May we never stop telling of Your amazing might and the impact You are having on people all over the world. Amen.

When have you experienced God’s power?

Joshua, miracle, power, river, speak, stones, story