"19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
21 And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN?'
22 then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.'
23 For the LORD your GOD dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your GOD did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your GOD forever."
The children of Israel were crossing over, not the Red Sea, but the Jordan River. To me, crossing over the Red Sea was leaving captivity. But crossing the Jordan River signified entering the Promised Land! Enjoying GOD's Promise does not mean all will be easy or smooth! But to know The CREATOR is watching over you should bring a peace and joy that is unexplainable. There was plenty of joy for both crossing the Red Sea and Jordan River, but entering the Promised Land was something that brought much joy and satisfaction to the Israelites. On the other hand, the enemy and his followers have enjoyed great tumult over the years.
After Moses was given the commandments by YHWH, the Ark of the Covenant hosted the two tablets containing the commandments. The Ark was said to have the Spirit of GOD inside of it. There was the time that someone touched the Ark (Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6) and he died! It is a dangerous thing to not follow instructions when you are in HIS presence!
GOD's presence was with the children of Israel during the Exodus just like HE is with us today! In chapters 14 through chapter 16 of the book of John, JESUS speaks of the COMFORTER coming to direct, console and indwell believers. The Comforter would give evidence that GOD is alive and JESUS CHRIST is HIS SON! The disciples were actually in the presence of GOD's SON, yet how would they have truly reacted if they had truly BELIEVED that HE was GOD INCARNATE? Could the same Spirit that inhabited the Ark thousands of years ago indwell our lives today? Could we have the same Spirit living in us that led the Israelites across the Red Sea and Jprdan River?
To be in GOD's presence is a privilege many, if not most, don't appreciate until HIS presence has vacated their surroundings. "WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN" is a reminder that GOD's Spirit led them through some dark times. It is something me must continue to ask to this day! We need to cherish and remember when the "presence" of GOD ALMIGHTY is in our midst! HE desires for each of us to inquire "WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN" and to seek HIS presence today in our lives.
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