“See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.”
Joshua 24:27 (NIV)
Joshua is known for his use of memory stones for the purpose of stimulating faith, but this stone’s purpose seems to be a warning to stimulate obedience. God doesn’t need a stone to know whether or not the Israelites remained faithful, but Joshua felt the people needed one.
If we read Joshua 24 and Nehemiah 9 consecutively, we can see very quickly that the people praying in Nehemiah’s day, confessed the themes found in Joshua 24 including the unfaithfulness of their ancestors. No wonder the penitent prayers of Nehemiah 9 lean wholly on God’s covenant love - on God’s character and track record - and not on their obedience!
These people are without excuse! YET, the stone was erected beside the Holy Place, the place where the blood of the covenant was applied against their sin and rebellion.
Friend, can you see yourself in their shoes?
Are you without excuse today?
Go to the cross where Christ’s blood was applied and seek God’s forgiveness.
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