19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho .
20 Those twelve e stones which they had taken from the Jordan , Joshua set up at Gilgal . 21 He said to the sons of Israel , "When your children ask their fathers in time to come , saying , 'What are these stones ?' 22 then you shall inform your children , saying , 'Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground .' 23 "For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before e you until you had crossed , just as the Lord your God had done to the Red e Sea , which He dried up before e us until we had crossed ; 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty , so that you may fear the Lord your God forever e ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 4:19-24
Commentary on Joshua 4:10-19
(Read Joshua 4:10-19)
The priests with the ark did not stir till ordered to move. Let none be weary of waiting, while they have the tokens of God's presence with them, even the ark of the covenant, though it be in the depths of adversity. Notice is taken of the honour put upon Joshua. Those are feared in the best manner, and to the best purpose, who make it appear that God is with them, and that they set him before them.
Commentary on Joshua 4:20-24
(Read Joshua 4:20-24)
It is the duty of parents to tell their children betimes of the words and works of God, that they may be trained up in the way they should go. In all the instruction parents give their children, they should teach them to fear God. Serious godliness is the best learning. Are we not called, as much as the Israelites, to praise the loving-kindness of our God? Shall we not raise a pillar to our God, who has brought us through dangers and distresses in so wonderful a way? For hitherto the Lord hath helped us, as much as he did his saints of old. How great the stupidity and ingratitude of men, who perceive not His hand, and will not acknowledge his goodness, in their frequent deliverances!