The Stones Bear Witness

I have long been interested in epitaphs found in older cemeteries. You can learn quite a bit, not only about the individual whose body lies in the ground awaiting the day of resurrection, but also about his family and even the generation in which he lived. One of my favorites is on the headstone of James Henley Thornwell’s oldest daughter, Nannie, who became ill shortly before her wedding and died within a week. Her wedding gown became the shroud in which she was buried and the attendants were the pallbearers. The testimony of God’s grace to her and her family remains etched on her headstone: “Prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband.”

God’s mighty works, whether of blessing or cursing, are easily forgotten. But He makes it clear that forgetfulness cannot be used as an excuse, for He repeatedly requires us to remember, and just to make it absolutely clear, He forbids us to forget. The account of two memorials in the book of Joshua reveals the character of that generation and gives us an example to imitate, for it shows their concern to preserve the memory of God’s covenant for themselves and for succeeding generations. Joshua 22 records the altar of witness and chapter 24 records the stone of witness.

With the initial conquest of Palestine completed, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh set out for their homelands on the east side of the Jordan River, having fulfilled their covenant obligation to the other tribes. But before they crossed the Jordan, they constructed a large altar. Concerned that the two and a half tribes were violating God’s covenant, the nine and a half tribes prepared for battle, lest the supposed infidelity bring God’s curse on all the people, as Achan’s had done (Josh. 22:20). By God’s grace, a delegation was sent to confront those thought to be offenders. Thus, it was discovered that what had seemed to be an act of unbelief was, in fact, an act of covenant faithfulness. Far from intending to use the altar for sinful worship, as supposed by the Israelites living in Canaan, the Transjordanian tribes had erected the altar as a trans-generational testimony to themselves and their fellow countrymen.

First, they built the altar to witness to their obligation to worship the Lord according to His commandments in the place where He chose for His name to dwell: “ ‘That it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the LORD before Him’ ” (Josh. 22:27a). They recognized their tendency to allow convenience to trump covenant. Living at a distance from the tabernacle/temple meant extra effort would be necessary for them to participate in the worship of God. The large altar would remind them of their duty to worship God according to His precepts. Our generation would do well to heed the altar’s witness, too, that we might see Biblical worship restored to our families, churches, and communities.

Second, they were concerned that their brothers might alienate them from the covenant community and discourage them from performing their covenant duties. Thus, they built the altar “ ‘that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, “You have no part in the LORD.” Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, “Here is the replica of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us” ’ ” (Josh. 22:27b–28). The builders of the altar had a legitimate concern. Those who had the advantage of living together in relatively close proximity, with numerous occasions for fellowship, in time might begin to discourage those who came from a distance. The altar of witness calls us to remember our need for each other, to encourage and serve one another for the glory of God.

The other memorial in stone is that erected by Joshua to witness to the words of God’s covenant on an occasion of covenant renewal (Josh. 24:25–27). Joshua rehearsed to the Israelites God’s covenant faithfulness in giving them the land. He called them to continue to trust the Lord and obey His commands, that they might continue to enjoy God’s blessing. He pressed the necessity of self-conscious commitment to Yahweh and the corresponding rejection of competing faiths, and reminded them that they could not keep covenant with God apart from His grace and the work of His Spirit. When the people professed their allegiance to Yahweh, Joshua recorded the terms of the covenant in a book and erected a monument. That stone continued for generations to remind God’s people to govern their lives by God’s Word recorded in the Bible.

God has not and will not leave Himself without witness. He has given to us the witness of His creation that the knowledge of God’s existence and character might be revealed in such a way as to leave men without excuse. He has given to us the more sure witness of His Word. He has given to us the witness of His Spirit. God has surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. In addition to these, God has provided countless memorials through His dealings with us as individuals, families, and congregations. Even the stones call us to faithfulness to our covenant-keeping God.