Israel’s Memorial

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Now you and all the people will prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving you. Look up, Joshua, see the land before you across the river. All their lives had led to this moment. With just one step forward, israel Wood shed what she was and become something new. This was no wild escape or desperate flight of deliverance. It was the birth of a nation. Intentional, decisive, divine. Follow me, follow the ark, for you haven't traveled this way before. 00:00:48 Speaker 3: Over the river's roar, Joshua heard the faint splash of feet as Eliason and the first of the priests entered the river. Joshua then realized the barrage of the water flow seemed to lessen with each stride. He then felt his arms at his side swing out of the water. That could only mean one thing. The water was starting to go down. Sure Enough, within moments, the water dwindled to his knees, and then his toes felt the morning breeze against the sticky mud that had seeped into his circles. It was only then that Joshua looked down to confirm it. Yes, a dry ground was beneath him. The mighty river had been stopped somewhere far upstream and out of sight of him. Joshua grinned from ear to ear and looked over his shoulder at the priest still at the edge of the river. Joshua Wood triumphantly back at Israel and Eliezer, with a face splitting smile, himself called. 00:01:51 Speaker 4: Back, behold the wonders of God. 00:02:00 Speaker 5: The stones of memory hold the weight of a thousand promises. But do we carry them with us? Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel, i'm l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen people. Forty years of wandering, of watching, of waiting, and now standing on the edge of the Jordan River. The promise is within sight. It's there just across the water. But there's something about standing on the edge, isn't there. When you're so close you hah, something massive looms in front of you. Do you trust that the water will part? Or do you look back and long for what's familiar, even if it's a desert. We've all had these moments, haven't we, Where we stand before something bigger than ourselves. A decision a challenge, and wonder will God really show up for me? It's a question of memory. Can we remember what he's done so that we can step into what He's about to do. 00:03:06 Speaker 3: The sodden silt beneath Joshua's feet began to crack as it dried. The sun was sinking from its highest point in the sky. Joshua remained back, helping the last of the tribe of Dan crossed the river bed to the other side. Joshua had called on the Rubenites, Gadites, and half of Manassa to honor their promises made to Moses. They crossed the river first to lead the battle formations and quell any trouble they should meet on the other side. As Israel crossed the river, they quickly established perimeters and secured the plot of land that would become their temporary camp. The land was about two miles from Jericho, and Joshua refused to let the excitement of the moment let down his guard. They hadn't yet taken the territory. They were vulnerable. Joshua surveyed the outcrop. 00:04:00 Speaker 4: This is where our conquest will march. 00:04:02 Speaker 3: Joshua reached up the steep edge of the dry riverbank to aid an elderly woman in navigating the drop. Her grandsons then took her hands from Joshua. Joshua released a satisfied sigh. That was the last of them. He walked back up the steep ridge and gazed back at the abandoned camper chetem on the other side. The grass of the plains would eventually grow back where it had been trampled good ribbons. He looked forward to where the new campsite was being erected on the plains. 00:04:37 Speaker 1: Of Jericho, their new home. 00:04:40 Speaker 3: Joshua spared one last glance to his left to the east, up at Mount Nebo, the final resting place of their beloved Moses. Twelve figures moving on the distant shore caught Joshua's eye. They stood out amidst the slow moving traffic of the remainder of the ear lights as they were going in the opposite direction. 00:05:03 Speaker 2: It was time. 00:05:05 Speaker 3: The representatives Joshua had appointed were heading toward the middle of the river bed and the ark of the Covenant. Joshua reached Eliezer and the other priests standing in the middle of the river. 00:05:17 Speaker 2: As the others. 00:05:18 Speaker 4: Approached, Brothers you've done well. I know your arms must be growing tired, but would ask you hold on to your strength for a little longer. What we do now is essential. 00:05:29 Speaker 3: Eliezer gave Joshua a weak smile as he focused on keeping the Ark level with his brother and nephew. Finnahaus looked dutiful and kept his eyes fixed on the camp ahead, while Ithamar looked at the ground and seemed to be concentrating on his breathing to keep his hands from shaking. Caleb, representing the tribe of Judah, approached first, but carefully kept his distance from the Ark. 00:05:54 Speaker 4: Brother, Joshua, we have come just as you asked. What is your command? 00:06:00 Speaker 3: Joshua surveyed the group of men he had brought with him. One man from each tribe had come to the middle of the river, and Joshua approached them where they stood. 00:06:10 Speaker 4: You will each take up a stone, one representing each tribe of Israel, and lifted on to your shoulder. You will carry the stones to our new camp and arrange them there as a memorial. We will gather the people together to mark this historic moment in our history. 00:06:27 Speaker 3: With that, the twelve representatives found stones from the muddy river bed. They dived their hands into the damp earth to pry what otherwise would have been permanently buried stones from their resting places. They struggled, bearing the stones on their shoulders to shore. As Joshua watched them labor to remove the rocks, an idea drifted into Joshua's mind. On his way back to where the priests still stood with the Ark and the rest of the tabernacle components, Joshua stooped to pick up small riverstones. By the time he reached the priests, he had three in his hands. He tucked them under one arm to free the other to continue his search. As Eliezer called out to. 00:07:11 Speaker 4: Him, Joshua, when the last of the representatives reaches the shore, would you like us to continue our march. 00:07:20 Speaker 3: Joshua followed Eliezer's gaze to the shore and saw that three of the men had already reached the shore. He smiled to himself as he noted that it matched the amount of stones currently under his arm. 00:07:32 Speaker 4: Yes, brothers, prepare to move forward and cross the rest of the way. All of them have reached the shore. 00:07:39 Speaker 3: Eliezer gave him a tight knot, and the men stretched their limbs under the poles and handles, tapping into their reserve of strength as they prepared to move. The Levite priests had performed a staggering feet today. To stand for almost an entire day laden with heavy cases and instruments without resting was truly remarkable that they had obeyed their commands and honored the presence of the Lord. Joshua pressed into their ranks and drew closer to the covered arc of the covenant itself. He could almost feel the radiating holiness of the presence of the Lord within. He ignored the curious looks from the liezon Ishamil and Finnahas who were holding it between them. He stooped and placed the three stones he had gathered beneath the arch on the river bed. He pressed down on the stones to lodge them into the packed sediment. Satisfied, he then turned and went together more. The priests seemed to glean the importance and lightly the symbolism of this task, and remained focused on watching the representatives make their way across the river ahead of them. Joshua drew up another five stones and repeated the process for the fall. He crouched beneath the ark and again pressed the stones into the ground. Iamar Broker's concentration by announcing the completion of the representative's task. 00:09:07 Speaker 4: Joshua, you want to watch your head as we move out. 00:09:11 Speaker 2: Thanks for the warning. 00:09:12 Speaker 4: Asma. 00:09:13 Speaker 3: Joshua wiped the grainy mud off his hands as he stood to his full height and backed away from the ark so the priests could complete their march toward the shore, a distance of about fifty feet. They didn't rush forward, but their relief at being able to move again was palpable. Joshua imagined they would collapse once they got the holy objects into place in the center of camp. Joshua couldn't say he'd blamed them. He had had a long day on his feet, going back and forth, overseeing everything himself. Their task was almost complete as the priests moved past him. Soon only Joshua's little semicircle of stones remained in the place where the Ark of the Covenant had stood. Joshua craned his neck and strained him eyes, trying to see as far as he could upstream. He could not determine where the water had piled up, but he guessed it was miles upstream. Judging by how long it had taken for the remaining water to reside that morning, he would still need to hurry, though Eliezer and the three clans would close the final stretch across the river quickly. He knew he had been faithful, but he knew the waters would return once the priests reached the side, and he had no desire to swim the rest of the way. Joshua quickly secured the remaining five stones and brought them to the others. He completed the circle and tamped them all down again into the sediment for good measure. 00:10:43 Speaker 6: I suppose I'll never know if the current takes them, but I'll always think of them as resting here for all eternity, marking the place where the Jordan ran dry. The Lord again performed as wonders. 00:10:54 Speaker 3: With that, Joshua hurried to catch up to the priests. The last of the Mirrorrite clan was still over the Far Sides riverbank when Joshua heard the deafening sound of the water being released from miles away. He broke into a run. 00:11:08 Speaker 6: There. 00:11:09 Speaker 3: Joshua was about twenty feet from the shore when he chanced to look over his right shoulder a wall of muddy water plummeted toward him. So forceful was the barrage that the high banks containing the river were crumbling and pulling shrubs and trees into the oncoming wave ten feet and Joshua could almost imagine the force of the tree, lives and debris spearing him clear through if. 00:11:34 Speaker 1: He was too slow. 00:11:35 Speaker 3: Five feet and the roar of the water was deafening in his ears. It drowned out all thoughts, and without thinking, he dove head first toward the river bank. The velocity of his dive carried him up the slope, and he rolled to a stop as the water crashed past where he had been running only milliseconds before. Joshua let out a cry of relief and lay back, panting from his brent. When he opened his eyes, Caleb stood above him with a dead evil smile and a helping hand to pull him to his feet. 00:12:08 Speaker 7: Bow having it awfully close there? Run? Aren't you getting a little old for such a robs? 00:12:17 Speaker 4: I could sit the same for you running, Ah, you know I'm as strong as I ever was. 00:12:22 Speaker 7: My boat will only grow Brettel when we've conquered the land. 00:12:26 Speaker 4: Promise to us, and you'll never let us forget it. 00:12:29 Speaker 7: Hack of them, I imagine you have an inspiring speece to deliver to us. 00:12:34 Speaker 4: The people are gathered and the stones are placed. 00:12:37 Speaker 3: Joshua approached the gathered people of Israel about two miles from the shores of the river, its rush and current and a distant roar. It was now evening. Most of the camp was settled and the tabernacu reconstruction was well underway. The air was filled with the comforting smell of cookfires, and the excited energy in the air was electric and indantagious. The representatives Joshua had selected earlier that day arranged the twelve stones into a rough circle, mirroring the smaller version he had placed at the river's bottom. As he watched, the smile tugged at his lips. Israel would now have a lasting memorial that reflected his own. His council stood at his side, and the other elders and representatives of the tribes pressed in around. Joshua cleared his throat and projected his voice so all of those who were gathered could hear him. 00:13:37 Speaker 7: Israel, today we have indeed seen wonders, wonders like your fathers and grandfathers and great grandfathers told you about. Today we stand in the land that was promised to them. Tomorrow marks the beginning of our conquest. Tomorrow we begin the preparations that will lead us to our destiny. 00:13:57 Speaker 3: The crowd cheered and exclaimed, ax I called at that. When they quieted to our force broke in more thoughtful tone. They leaned in, breathless to hear what he had to say. 00:14:09 Speaker 4: But first you must mark what we have come, so we will remember what the Lord has done. I would not have us forget. 00:14:17 Speaker 7: These stones you have brought will be a sign among you. Someday, when your children ask what do these stones mean to you, you will tell them the Lord cut off the water of the Jordan in front of the ark of his governant, and as the ark crossed the water ceased and would crossed them dry ground. You will remind them that just as the Lord, your god dried up the waters of the Red Sea, he did the same here until. 00:14:43 Speaker 4: We had all crossed safely. 00:14:45 Speaker 7: These stones will forever be a memorial, so that all the peoples of the earth may know the might of the Lord's hand, and so that we his people will always fear the Lord, Oh God. 00:15:01 Speaker 3: Again, the crown conducted, funding their stops and squeeze. 00:15:08 Speaker 2: They were ready for what. 00:15:09 Speaker 1: Would come next. 00:15:14 Speaker 5: What an incredible moment of faith. The river flowing fast, wild, impossible to cross, and yet God made away. But this isn't just a story of miracles. Rather, it's a reminder that God always goes before us. And God doesn't just perform a miracle and move on. No, He commands the Chosen people to remember to do this. God, mens Joshua to appoint twelve men, one from each tribe. The men are to take twelve huge stones from the Jordan River and to bring them to Mount Evel, And there the stones are to be set up as a memorial to the Chosen People, so that they would always remember the day that they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. But was this memorial to be just a group of twelve large stones. The answer is clearly no. Back in the book of Deuterotomy, God had commanded Moses that when the Israelites entered Israel, they should set these twelve stones and write upon them the entire Torah, the whole five books of Moses, from Genesis to Deuterotomy, and not only that, but the tours should be written on these twelve stones in the seventy primary languages of the world. Now, the Jewish ages teach that this had to be a miracle, because how could you possibly write all of those works in seventy languages on those twelve stones. But even more important, they ask why all these languages the Torah was written in Hebrew. Wasn't that enough? And the sages answer that no, that would not have been enough, because while God's word was first given to the people, it is really for the entire world. And I think of that today as we study the Bible together, Christians and Jews together, all of us are experiencing the result of that very commandment to Moses, a commandment that Joshua and the Israelites fulfilled. By studying God's word together, we are proclaiming that the Bible and its teachings are for everyone. Today's Bible story also reminded me of a quote by my dearest teacher and someone I truly try to emulate, Ravy Jonathan Sachs of Blessed Memory, speaking at a Holocaust memorial, Rabbi sac said this, and so it has been throughout Jewish history. We carry with us all the fragments of our people's past, the broken lives and the anguished to deaths, for we refuse to let their deaths be in vain. They our past, live on in us as we can the Jewish journey to the future, to hope and to life. These words echo the command God gave Joshua to take stones from the Jordan and set them up as a lasting memorial for the generations to come. For the Israelites, these stones said, this is where God acted in our behalf. This is where he made a way through the waters, just as he parted the sea before. These memorials, my friends, were not mere statues, lifeless relics gathering dust. No, they were to carry the weight of our history, a history of hope, a history of struggle, a history of the God of our ancestors, who never leaves his covenant people with outaway forward. Rebi Sax went on to say this quote, and so it is with the victims of the show'd the lost lives, the broken community, synagogues desecrated and set on fire, the sacred scrolls burned and turned to ash. The children a million and a half of them in entire murdered generation. What our enemies killed, we keep alive, and the only way we can, in our minds, in our memories and in our memorial prayers. You see, what Rabbi Sas is reminding us of is the same thing that these written words on the twelve Rocks are supposed to remind us of. That memory isn't just looking back. It's standing in a moment where the past, the present, and the future all converge, where even the brokenness of what is held in the light of what still can be. Rabbi Saks captured that so vividly when he said, there are cultures that forget the past, and there are cultures that are held captive by the past. The Jewish people do neither. We carry the past with us as we will carry the memory of the show' of the Holocaust with us for as long as the Jewish people exist. Just as Moses carried the bones of Joseph, and as the Levites carried the fragments of the shattered tablets of that stone, think about it. The bones of Joseph were carried by a people who believed in a promise, a promise of a future land. The fragments of the shattered tablets, symbols of our unfaithfulness were still carried in the arc, the place where the God of Israel dwelt among his people in Joshua's day. The stones from the Jordan were set up to carry forward that same story, a story of faithfulness despite failure, a story of hope despite despair. As we think about the stone set up by Joshua, we are reminded that the memory of those moments and those who came before us must be carried forward. Because we don't just carry stones, we carry stories, and these stories are our strength. They remind us to walk with courage and boldness into the future, knowing that God is with us, as he has always been with his chosen people. As we finished this story about Israel's memorial, I want to tell you about a very special memorial. Here in the Holy Land, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, there stands a living memorial to the six million Jews who perish during the Holocaust. The Forest of Martyrs is made up of four and a half million pine trees, one for every adult who perished, and nearby stand a million and a half cypress trees, one for every Jewish child who is murdered at the hand of the Nazis. This memorial is a powerful, silent reminder to the terrible price the Jewish people paid for the hatred of others. But it's also a visual expression of the Jewish people's determination to never forget the horrific events of the Holocaust, no matter how painful it is, to remember so that we will never let it happen again. Likewise, when the Israelites finally crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they were told to build an altar of rocks, and the Bible says We're to do so so that when your children ask you what did these stones mean, you can tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the Covenant of the Lord. That altar was a memorial for the people of Israel to remember God's goodness, his provision and protection while they were in the wilderness, and his faithfulness to his promise to bring them into this land. Why was it so important for the people to remember their past. Maybe because it was this past history that the next generation would build their faith on. It would be remembering these stories and history that would guide the people and sustain them as they settled into the Promised Land. Remembering our past helps us move forward. Remembering how God has helped us in the past encourages us today. Our past mistakes helps us avoid the wrong paths tomorrow, and remembering helps us to be thankful even in hard times, because we know how God has provided for us before and will provide for us again. What memorials can we build that will help us remember, and what stories of faith can we pass on to the next generation of the Chosen People. 00:23:25 Speaker 1: You can listen to The Chosen People with yle Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltefianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvie Ya Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and The opening prayer is voiced by John Moore, music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review,