“That day Adonai made Y’hoshua great in full view of all Israel. They were in awe of him, just as they had been in awe of Moshe all his life.”-Joshua 4:14
Verse 14 tells us in no uncertain terms that one of the primary reasons Hashem used such a dazzling method to bring Israel across the Jordan was to glorify Joshua.
I can imagine the dumbstruck looks on the faces of the people when they were crossing over dry land that just a couple of hours earlier was the very place they had immersed themselves for a ritual washing.
Personally, I’m constantly amazed at Hashem’s control over all the forces of nature.
Well, the intended goal was achieved.
Joshua would be revered by everyone in Israel all the days of his life just as Moses was.
No doubt, this supernatural event confirmed for all time and forever Joshua’s divine appointment in the eyes of the elders and all the tribal leaders.
Onward.
Next, we’re told the 12 stones that were taken from the Jordan were carried to a site called Gilgal.
Gilgal is located about 3 1/2 miles north of Jericho.
Joshua ordered the 12 stones to be set up as a monument to the supernatural miracle Hashem had performed.
We shouldn’t overlook the significance of this.
Why?
Because Gilgal would later become a key center of worship in the Holy Land and in the later books of Scripture, Gilgal will reappear many times.
Another important point.
Let’s not overlook the incredible significance of the people of Israel entering the Promised Land on the 10th day of the 1st month of the year.
Does that date ring a bell at all?
It should because it was on the 10th day of the month when the lambs for PESACH (Passover) would be chosen to be slaughtered…
…meaning they would be consecrated as God’s holy property.
In only 4 days from this day, the children of Israel would be celebrating their very first Passover inside their new land inheritance.
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