04: Remember that the Jordan stopped before the Lord (Josh 4:1 – 5:1)

Why did the Lord ask them to build a stone pile?

πŸ‘‰ Read Joshua 4:1 - 5:1


Q1. The Lord asked them to carry the stones from where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood and to build a pile of the stones on the other side of Jordan. Find the related verses that specify the place where they take stones. 

Verses 3, 5, 7, and 9.

Note the escalation of the implication of the place where the priests stood, through verses 3, 5, and 7: ‘Where the priests stand’, ‘in front of the ark of the Lord,’ and ‘before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It was to teach that the Lord stopped the water to fulfill His covenantal promise.

Nothing can stop the Lord’s faithful accomplishment of His promise in love. The death succumbed before the love of the cross.

In the middle of the river, Joshua set up a pile of stones by his initiative, not by the Lord’s command. (v9)



Q2. Write the order of events. 

   (      ) the water stopped flowing   

   (      ) the ark of the covenant of the Lord went into the river

   (      ) the ark came out of the river to the other side

   (      ) the people went into the river

   (      ) they picked up twelve stones

   (      ) the people finished the crossing

   (      ) the water continued flowing 


   (  2 ) the water stopped flowing   

   (  1 ) the ark of the covenant of the Lord went into the river

   (  6 ) the ark came out of the river to the other side

   (  3 ) the people went into the river

   (  5 ) they picked up twelve stones

   (  4 ) the people finished the crossing

   (  7 ) the water continued flowing 



Q3. Summarize v10 ~ v14 in three sentences (v10-11, v12-13, v14)  

 The Ark was standing in the middle of the river until everything of God’s words was completed, given through Moses

In verse 10, the water had stopped until the stonework was done. The Lord stopped the water for them to cross. Then, would He not keep holding the water until they carry out His own commands? Don’t let your anxiety rush you in your daily life, the Lord will provide you until His promise is fulfilled as He has done so.

The eastern tribes crossed ahead of the Israelites as Moses had commanded. 

It is interesting to note the author highlights their devotion to the Canaanite conquest even though it is not their land.

The Lord God honored Joshua before Israel and they respected Joshua as they did for Moses. 

The Lord promised this to Joshua (3:7), the new leader who needed encouragement. The Lord repeatedly says, ‘Be strong and brave.’ Was Joshua a man of weak heart? 



Q4. We can find several verses that tell the purpose of the stone pile. (v7, 10, 22-24, 5:1) 1) It is to make them remember God fulfills His (           ). Nothing can hinder Him. 2) Just as He dried up the (       ) and the (        ), He will eradicate any obstacle before us today. 3) Thus, all nations will know His power and fear Him. And we will (         ) the Lord our God. 

1) It is to make them remember God fulfills His ( covenantal promise ). Nothing can hinder Him. 

The Bible repeatedly says that they crossed over on dry ground. No water touched their feet. The Lord’s image providing the dry ground is seen in various places in the Bible. Gen 1:9, 8:13 – 14, Ex 14:21 – 22, Josh 3:17, 4:23. The Creator made a way for them. He is our Creator and Deliverer from anything that threatens us.

2) Just as He dried up the ( Red Sea ) and the ( Jordan ), He will eradicate any obstacle before us today and tomorrow. 

Consistency of God’s provisional works encourages us to trust in Him in the future.

3) Thus, all nations will know His power and fear Him. And we will ( obey ) the Lord our God.

Trust and obey, this is the ultimate purpose of God’s revelation.

All nations will fear the Lord and His people. We don’t need to worry about our enemies. Though they try to intimidate us, they were afraid of us as we walk with the Lord.




The Lord wants us to remember His miraculous works. It was to confirm that He will fulfill His words no matter what. 

The cross is the sign given to us. Remember the death succumbed before our crucified Christ. Our Enemy is trembling before us. March forward in trust and obedience.


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