”GOD TALK” IN ALL ITS FORMS - FAMILY RITUALS and TRADITIONS (AUDIO)

When Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, it was in flood at the time. The priests carried the wooden Ark of the Covenant in front of the people. What happened when they stepped into the water?

As the nation crossed over, do you remember what they gathered from the riverbed?  (You can read the whole story in Joshua 3:1-4:24)

I wonder, what’s was the significance of the 12 stones?

Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion.

When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”

(Joshua 4:4-7 The Message, see also Joshua 4:19-22)

These rocks were “milestones” to help the next generations remember what happened at this place. For as long as that pile of stones remained, the people would remember: “After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, this is where the LORD parted the waters – just like at the Red Sea – and brought us into this land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

This marks the first of 7 memorials made with stones in the Promised Land (see Joshua 7:26, 8:29, 8:31, 10:27, 22:27-28, 24:26-27).

Gathering a pile of stones was a ritual that marked significant events: entry into the land, defeating enemies, taking cities, dealing with sin, memorial altars.  Each time people passed by these stones, they could tell the stories of God’s great works.  It began a tradition of remembering God’s activity in their lives.

What are our signs, symbols, songs, rituals, and traditions that help us remember God’s activity in our lives? This Sunday we’re looking at the third of our 4 keys to doing life at home with Jesus: Family Rituals and Traditions.

Family rituals and traditions help us to remember important things from the past so we can celebrate them in the present – and renew our hope in the Lord for our future. They remind us that we are part of God’s restoration story for his world, and that each one of us has a part to play HIS story.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly