Bible Commentaries

Verses 1-24

When everyone had crossed the river, Joshua commanded the priests bearing the ark to finish their crossing. Once the feet of the priests were again firmly planted on dry ground, God caused the river to return to its engorged rush toward the Dead Sea ( Jos_4:1-18 ).

The people encamped that night at Gilgal where Joshua set up a memorial with the twelve stones taken from the river. When children of later times would ask what the twelve stones represented, they could be told how God worked a miracle so Israel could cross the flooded Jordan. It should be noted that there was one stone for each tribe so that it would be plain God helped all twelve tribes and not just certain ones. Such mighty works should cause children of every generation to realize how great God is and appreciate his ability to deliver his people ( Jos_4:19-24 ).