TALKING STONES

Joshua 4: 20-24

And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, did Joshua set up in Gilgal. And he spoke unto the children of Israel, saying, "When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What mean these stones?' Then ye shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.' For the LORD your GOD dried up the waters of the Jordan from before us, until ye were passed over, as the LORD our GOD did to the Red Sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were gone over; that all the people of the earth might know the Hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that ye might fear the LORD your GOD forever."

GOD IS FAITHFUL ALWAYS IN ALL WAYS

The visible twelve stones were a reminder and a teaching tool for future generations. Joshua gives to the people the words to say to their children, so that their children, when they asked, would hear and understand the fact that GOD IS FAITHFUL ALWAYS. This is the substance of Oral Tradition; the stories of the mighty acts of GOD and the evidence of that story in visible form. The reason that Joshua was commanded by GOD to tell the people these things is found in the last verse of Chapter 4, "that all the people of the earth might know the Hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that ye might fear the LORD your GOD forever." GOD IS FAITHFUL and He wants everyone to know that, so that they will put their trust in Him, follow Him and obey His voice.

There are 5 evidences of the faithfulness of GOD: 1. GOD is faithful by nature (Deuteronomy 7:9); 2. GOD is faithful by His Name (Revelation 19:11); 3. GOD is faithful by JESUS (I Corinthians 1:9); 4. GOD is faithful by ability (I Thessalonians 5:24); 5. GOD is faithful by the Blood (I John 1:9).

When we read the Holy Scripture, we find many stories of the mighty work of GOD. These stories are to be read to the children, so that the children will bring these stories to their children, and all will know the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. 

The Scripture is the visible evidence of the mighty work of GOD and it should be read daily for continuing guidance in the way of the LORD. GOD IS FAITHFUL ALWAYS IN ALL WAYS.