"You there, you and you, yes you as well, also, you other nine men over there, come back here in the center of the river where the twelve priests stand, and each of you choose a large stone. Carry the stones far up beyond the bank of the river. Let's build a memorial. We need to celebrate our dry feet!"
Earlier, twelve other men, the priests, stood firm, holding the Ark of the Covenant as the multitudes passed by them to cross to the other side of the dry riverbed.
There are many examples of fearless obedience and faith in this account. To begin with, all of the Israelites were told to break camp. They packed up everything, tents, clothing, supplies, and bedding. They fed and washed up their children, then waited expectantly for Joshua's next instructions.
Joshua chose one Levite from each of the twelve tribes and ordered them to carry the Ark and stand in the middle of the Jordan River. Their leader, Joshua, declared that God would open a way for them to cross this river just as He had done with Moses when they crossed the Red Sea.
The priests approached the riverbank; they did not hesitate. When the first sandal-clad foot touched the water, it immediately parted, and the priests carried the Ark on dry land. When they arrived at the mid-point, they halted, looking back at Joshua. They saw him motion and command the multitude to cross to the other side.
No muddy or wet feet: unbelievable! Thousands crossed while the priests held their positions. These twelve men stood with their backs to the wall of water. They looked confidently toward the dried-up riverbed that extended to the Arabah Sea (a salt sea). The people walked through with dry feet, carrying their belongings as they advanced toward Jericho.
Who would believe that such a miracle could ever be forgotten? Yet God instructed Joshua to build a memorial of twelve huge stones so that the generations following would ask, "What are these giant stones here for?"
Then, the story would be repeated about how God performed this miracle. I'm thinking of at least three reasons God might have broken the laws of physics, holding back a large river and instantly drying its river bed for a safe crossing.
1. Out of practicality, the people needed to cross the deep river without mishap.
2. God wanted the people to recognize that God's hand was on Joshua as on Moses. With this miracle, God ordained and commissioned Joshua with honor as the chosen man to lead the people after Moses was left behind. God showed his approval, which built the people's trust in his leadership.
3. At the end of the narrative in chapter four of Joshua, verse twenty-four, it states that the memorial of stones commemorated this event so that everybody on the whole earth would know how strong God's rescuing hand was and still is. By retelling this story, the people would always hold God in solemn reverence when asked about the stones.
It is sad to realize how soon the Israelites forgot to honor their God, who delivered them time after time throughout their history.
I know that our cultures sweep in with chaos and distractions that cause us to seek peace and comfort while we forget where our help and wisdom can come from. But how many times has God intervened in our lives and saved us from death, being maimed, and total disaster? We will never know all the times we were spared in this life.
Oh, believe me, I have had events in my life, as well as you have, that made me feel like I was doomed.
"Where, oh where are you, God?"
But then there were times when I look back that I am certain that God stepped in to give me clear direction, an answer to prayer, a divine appointment, or divine coincidence, if you want to call it that.
I remember bags of freshly butchered beef being brought to my door by a rancher who did not realize we were out of meat. She just saw the kid's faces in her mind and could not be at peace after butchering cattle until she brought us some.
I remember being loaned a small car to drive as a single mom for three years, and I commuted two hours each day to finish my degree.
I remember my car being repaired and paid for by someone who dared to believe God asked them to.
Then, God led me to get my hair cut by a young woman moving out of a four-bedroom house close to all the kids' schools. The next thing I knew, I called the landlord and was offered the house to rent when I needed to move out of the church parsonage after the divorce from my husband, who philandered and chose to leave us and his vocation as a minister. My three school-age children could walk to school now, and the rent was only $200 a month .
I remember moments in my second marriage, yes to a believer, being thrown into walls, dragged out on sidewalks in night clothes, being hit, and having heavy objects thrown at me by this abusive spouse, but never having a broken bone. When I was so distressed and wanted to die, God gave me the courage to get out. He took care of me in my depression and healed me.
I remember getting a phone call from my two oldest son's superior officer one day. They were both riding back from a mission, and he called to tell me they both were in a vehicle that flipped. Neither was harmed. But he apologized for sending two of my sons together when I might have lost them both. But God.
I remember getting a message from my oldest son describing how he was dropped off at night by a helicopter in a soccer stadium. He was alone and an easy target for the enemy since the soldiers did not arrive for hours who were supposed to transport him to the base in Afghanistan.
I remember his second tour when he sent me a message that his base's exterior was breached by the Taliban in the middle of the night. Fighting broke out around his quarters, but God and the Marines protected him that night.
I remember my youngest son telling me on a Wednesday night that when he went snorkeling with his dad, his flipper got hung up on rebar in the cement that reinforces the bank in this one part of the San Marcos River near the university. He could not swim to the river's surface to get air, and he could not get his foot out of the flipper. It was twisted too tight. Thinking that he was going to drown, he told God he was ready to go to heaven. Suddenly, his lungs filled with air, and his foot miraculously came loose from the flipper without him struggling at all to free it. He surfaced, and a nearby student dove to him to retrieve his flipper. He believed it was a miracle. I agreed.
I remember receiving a call from my youngest daughter. She was about to be transferred to a hospital. She was crying and explained that she was driving north on I-25 in Colorado. It was late at night when a car entering the freeway broadsided her, sending her Pop Fiat flipping over three times across the median and landing facing the opposing traffic.
It was dark and winter. (This photo was taken at the salvage yard.) The other driver did not stop to help her. A stranger stopped and parked his car, and his lights shone on her car so no one would run into her. He managed to pull her out and cover her up until the ambulance and police arrived. She might have suffered more if she had not been kept warm. As it was, she only had a few scratches and some compression to her spine that was helped by therapy. To this mama, a miracle!!Each of my six children has either had their life spared or had a remarkable recovery from terrible circumstances.
These and many more are only a few examples of God's goodness and mercy in my life. I am grateful for all.
Have I made a pile of stones to commemorate these? Have I even stopped to write a list or to tell these stories before today, say, at a time like Thanksgiving, to recount in front of others? Have I written a book to honor God and to show my gratitude to God for all of the great things He has done in my life?
How about you? Do you tell your stories to your children so they can share them with their children and future generations? We must thank God and hold Him in solemn reverence and awe, just as Joshua planned that memorial long ago.
This passage in Joshua chapters three and four about dry feet reminds me that this story needs to be repeated. This is not a fable, fairy tale, or a myth. This is history. This is remarkable and unbelievable, but that is who our God is. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Forever. God does not change.
Just as the priests in the middle of that river crossing stood on the dry ground with a wall of water behind them, stood bravely believing in Jehovah to keep them safe, in like manner, we must boldly stand in faith when we are faced with impossible obstacles before us, behind us, around us and above us for we are not alone. We can trust in God to never leave us or forsake us.
After God walks us through to the other side of our troubles, mark the victory. Rejoice that He came into our space and time to aid us. Testify. Tell everyone you meet about the goodness of God in your life. Let the whole world know about your life experiences with God and tell the other stories of God's provisions, like the story of DRY FEET.
*The drawing above correctly depicts the priests standing in the middle while the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. It is the closest rendition that I could find to portray this miracle. Many others pictured only four priests carrying the Ark. This is also faulty since it does not show the Jordan dried up to the salt sea. Still, you know the facts now and can overlook this. Remember the extraordinary miracle of dry feet, recall some pretty incredible saves in your life, and remember to give thanks and honor God by remembering Him in reverence.
It would be great if you would comment below and leave an account of a time when God showed up when you needed Him.
