Section Two

Crossing the River Jordan

The start of the book of Joshua describes what happened when the Israelites reached the end of their journey to take possession of the land across the river Jordan. In Joshua Chapter 4 verses 1 to 7, there is an account of what happened when the Israelites crossed over the river. At the time of crossing, twelve men were chosen - one from each of the tribes. They were instructed to place a stone into the middle of the river. These stones would serve as a sign, particularly as a sign that the river stopped flowing when the Ark of the Covenant was carried across. This is reinforced after they cross over. In verses 19 to 24 of Joshua Chapter 4 the story is told of how they cross over the river. At the camp they make after crossing over, Joshua sets up the twelve stones and leaves instructions that these are to serve as a reminder so that their descendants will ask their parents. These stones would then serve as a reminder. Children would see the stones and ask why the stones were there. This would then serve as an opportunity to tell the children why. In asking questions, children would be taught or reminded of what God had done.