Rocks That Cry Out

The book of Joshua is the account of the people of God taking possession of their promised inheritance, the promised land of Israel. Joshua, God's appointed leader after the death of Moses, led the nation in one battle after another in driving out the inhabitants of the land who had not accepted God's will in giving the land to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their offspring. This book is an encouragement and instructive to us who have also received an inheritance in Jesus Christ. Like Old Testament Israel, we too must fight one battle after another, driving out the world, the flesh, and the devil in our lives, our families, and land. One of the important themes in Joshua are the string of rocks that speak, traced all through the book. These piles of rocks are said to be witnesses for us.

There are nine piles of rocks that speak in the book of Joshua; two in chapter 4, one in chapter 6, one in chapter 7, two in chapter 8, one in chapter 10, one in chapter 22, and one in chapter 24. Each pile of rocks says something to remind, encourage, warn, and instruct Israel concerning what God had said, what God did, and promised to His people. We also have these reminders, encouragement, and warnings from God in our battles with the world , the flesh, and the devil, in taking possession of the promises of God in Jesus Christ. But first, look up each of these and answer these questions;
1. What events do the rocks remind Israel of?
2. What did God do at the place of the pile of rocks?
3. What lessons were learned from the event and the word of God at the place where the rocks are located?
4. Do I have something similar in my journey with the Lord that He said, did, or taught me?
The rocks are found in 4:4-10, 21; 6:20; 7:24-26; 8:28-29, 8:30-35; 10:16-19, 24-27; 22:10, 21-29, 34; 24:22-28. Note, Shechem was in the valley in between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim and was the first altar that Abram made when he came into the promised land (Genesis 12:6).

Give some time to identifying the "piles of rocks" that speak to you of God's faithfulness, discipline, and victory in your life and journey with Him. Then plan a pilgrimage and visit those places with the answer to the questions above for each place. These "rocks" could be houses you have lived in, towns, Scriptures, people, a ring, church buildings, or any number of things. One thing they have in common; God and His faithfulness to His Word and power in your life.

Jesus had those places in His life. In Luke 19:28-40 Jesus told the Pharisee, "...I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." The whole city of Jerusalem was one of the piles of rocks in His life. And in John 10:40-42 Jesus went on a short pilgrimage before the last week of His earthly life. As you read the gospels see if you can identify the "rocks" that spoke to Jesus.