 |  |
We can, however, deal with one point at once--the meaning of the word "pitch" in the
passage: "Did Joshua pitch in Gilgal" (Josh. 4: 20). The word does not mean "pitch" as
in "pitching a camp". For the pitching of a camp the word is chanah, or natah; but the
word here is qum, which means to "stand up", "arise"--see the article "Joshua #1", on the
words: "Moses is dead; now therefore arise" (Josh. 1: 2). The stones brought from the
depths of the waters of judgment now "stand up" as monuments of grace.
The typical character of the stones is indicated by the fact that provision is twice
made for the time when the children should ask "What mean ye by these stones?"
(Josh. 4: 6, 21).
On twelve different occasions we read of certain things or events being "for a
memorial" to Israel. Eleven are found during the administration of Moses and Joshua,
the twelfth appearing at the restoration of Israel described in the prophet Zechariah. All
in their measure look forward to Christ.
1.
THE PASSOVER.
"This day shall be unto you for a memorial" (Exod. 12: 14).
2.
THE UNLEAVENED BREAD.
"This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of
Egypt. And it shall be for a sign . . . . . and for a memorial . . . . ." (Exod. 13: 8, 9).
3.
THE DESTRUCTION OF AMALEK.
"Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will
utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" (Exod. 17: 14).
4.
THE STONES ON AARON'S SHOULDERS.
"And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of
memorial unto the children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord
upon his two shoulders for a memorial" (Exod. 28: 12).
5.
THE STONES OF AARON'S HEART.
"And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of
judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place for a memorial before the
Lord continually" (Exod. 28: 29).
6.
THE ATONEMENT MONEY.
"And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt
appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be for a
memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your
souls" (Exod. 30: 16).
7.
THE BLOWING OF TRUMPETS.
"In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a
memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation" (Lev. 23: 24; Num. 10: 10).