4:1-3 Everyone crosses over the Jordan river, feet on dry ground because God has made a way. Joshua receives a directive from God; he is told to have each representative of each of the 12 tribes carry a stone from the river they have just crossed over. The stones are to be carried to the camp they make on the other side.
4:4-5 Joshua relates the direction to the Israelites.
4:6-7 The stones are to represent the love and ability of God. The stones will serve as a memory for the Israelites to pass onto their children. God understands how fickle and forgetful these humans (all humans) can be. If they physically carry proof of God graciousness on their shoulders, the more likely the pass the covenant on to further generations.
4:8-9 Joshua and the Israelites do as God commands. Following God's commandments always serves our own benefit. Every directive God gives is meant to further establish us in here sphere of love and protection... propulsion. For to be with God is to be propelled through purposeful, meaningful lives.
God understands that if the Israelites keep His philosophy as the foundation and anchor of all that they do, they will excel beyond their imagination. God strives to maintain a relationship with us because He knows that through it, we will have an endless source of life and joy and blessing.
4:10 The Levites carry the ark according to the precise directions of God. Recall that the Levites were chosen as the teachers and organizers of the faith because of their own strong faith, Numbers 18:24. The ark is physical representation of the covenant between God and the Israelites.
4:11-14 As Joshua is able to organize 40,000 for battle through faith, he is exalted by God and respected by the Israelites. Joshua leads the group into what would have been an impossible situation without God. Crossing the river, having it split by God, was encouragement for the group to continue to follow his lead as they did Moses'. It also serves as proof of Joshua's complete and fervent faith in God: imagine leading a small group of people with limited to no military training against a mighty enemy nation? Every single step would have to be taken in steadfast faith or you would immediately turn around.
4:15-17 that Joshua does exactly what God says... exactly when he says it. God does not vocally speak to us, but He does speak through other ways. God had this book of scripture written, compiled and preserved for each of us, individually, to receive personal, heart to heart communication with Him. When we ask Him to lead, He ensures that we hear Him navigate.
4:18 As soon as the Levites carry the ark of the covenant onto land, the river waters rush back into place. This is an example of God's precision and intention. Of His ability to restore. To lead. To make a way out of the impossible and cause no harm doing so.
4:19 The Israelite army, after crossing the Jordan, make camp in Gilgal. Gilgal is east of Jericho, the city God will cause them to take over.
4:20 Joshua places the 12 stones from the Jordan river in Gilgal.
4:21-24 The stones represent the history of the Israelites under God's leadership. While the stones are a reminder to the children of Israel and a memory to pass onto their children, the stones are also a testimony to outside nations. They are a testimony of God's goodness and ability.
