God’s people stood by the Jordan River. They were ready to go into Canaan. God had freed them from being slaves in Egypt.
God gave His people the Ten Commandments — promises that He would help them live a better life and please Him. He asked them to build a big tent for Him to live with them. It was called the Tabernacle. It showed His plan to save everyone.
Forty years before, the people had been in this same spot, but they had been afraid to go into Canaan. God did not stop loving them. He forgave them and cared for them. He led them through the hot desert. He gave them food called manna and water to drink. Their clothes and sandals never wore out!
Now they were back. The land God promised was just across the water. The priests carried the special box called the Ark of the Covenant toward the raging river. When their feet touched the water, something amazing happened: the water stopped!
The priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed. All the people and their animals walked safely to the other side. Then Joshua told 12 men, one from each tribe, to each pick up one stone from the middle of the river and carry it to their new camp. When everyone came out of the river, the water came crashing downstream.
Joshua set up the 12 stones as a reminder. When the children later asked, “What do these stones mean?” their parents could tell them how God helped His people and took care of them.
You can read Joshua 4:1–7, 21–24 for family worship.
