Memorials in the Bible
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars.
God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at six of them.
STONES
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. (Joshua 4:6-8)
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. (Joshua 4:7)
In Joshua 4:1-8 God commands the Israelites to cross the Jordan River which He has stopped miraculously. Joshua leads the 12 tribes to remove boulders from the riverbed, which they erect in the Promised Land in a place called Gilgal. These 12 stones of Jordan were a memorial to God’s love and miraculous assistance.
However, these stones are appreciating not just by those who witnessed the miracle. Joshua 4:21-22 explains that ‘In the future your children will ask, “What do these stones mean?” Then you can tell them, “This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”’ God longs for us to proclaim His goodness to future generations.
The remembrance stones in Gilgal reminded future generations of the God of miracles so that their faith would be renewed. We believe that the Eternal Wall will do this as it memorializes Jesus for centuries.
THE BOOK
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.14 And the Lord said unto Moses, 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.15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: (Exodus 17:13-15)
The children of Israel coming to Rephidim, want water, and chide with Moses about it, who, crying to the Lord, is bid to smite the rock, from whence came water for them, and he named the place from their contention with him, Ex 17:1-7 at this place Amalek came and fought with Israel, who, through the prayer of Moses, signified by the holding up of his hands, and by the sword of Joshua, was vanquished, Ex 17:8-13, for the remembrance of which it was ordered to be recorded in a book, and an altar was built with this inscription on it, “Jehovah Nissi” “The Lord is our banner”: it being the will of God that Amalek should be fought with in every generation until utterly destroyed, Ex 17:14-16.
SPOIL
53 (For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)54 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord. (Numbers 31:53-54)
In Numbers 31:53-54, the text describes how the Israelites brought the gold they had acquired as plunder, specifically from the commanders of thousands and hundreds, into the tent of meeting. This gold was to serve as a memorial, a remembrance, for the Israelites before the Lord. The gold, weighing 16,750 shekels, was presented as a gift to the Lord and was a symbolic offering to show their gratitude and dedication.
After the Israelites’ victory over the Midianites, they had collected a significant amount of gold and other items as plunder.
The gold was not just a collection of wealth; it represented the Israelites’ acknowledgment of God’s role in their victory and served as a reminder of their relationship with Him.
CROWNS
9 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the Lord.15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God. (Zechariah 6:9-15)
In Zechariah 6:9-15, the story of the memorial crown focuses on the high priest Joshua and the future Messiah, called “The Branch”. The chapter details how a crown is made from silver and gold, collected from those returned from exile, and placed on Joshua’s head. This act symbolizes the future restoration of the temple and the coming of the Branch, who will build the temple and rule as both priest and king. The crown is also a memorial in the temple, honoring those who contributed the materials.
The memorial crown in Zechariah 6 is not just a piece of jewelry; it’s a symbol of God’s promise to restore Jerusalem and bring forth a leader who will rebuild the temple and lead with both priestly and royal authority.
Joshua, the high priest, is depicted as a sign of the coming Branch. The crown placed on his head represents the authority and glory that will be bestowed upon the Branch, the Messiah, according to Ligonier Ministries.
The “Branch” is identified as the Messiah, who will emerge from his place and build the temple of the Lord. He will be a priest on his throne, ruling with peace and justice.
The text emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s voice. The fulfillment of the prophecy, including the building of the temple and the coming of the Branch, is conditional upon the people’s obedience.
OINTMENT POURED ON JESUS BODY
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (Matthew 26: 12-13)
In Matthew 26:12-13, Jesus says that the woman who anointed his body with ointment did so to prepare him for burial. He further states that her act will be told wherever the gospel is preached as a memorial of her. This highlights the significance of her action in preparing Jesus for his upcoming death and emphasizes the enduring nature of her faith and love.
The passage from Matthew 26 describes an event where a woman anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (ointment) at a banquet.
The woman (identified as Mary Magdalene in other accounts) breaks a flask of precious perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair.
Jesus acknowledges that Mary’s action is an act of preparing him for his burial. He emphasizes that her action is a good deed and will be remembered.
Jesus states that Mary’s act will be told wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, serving as a memorial of her faith and devotion. This highlights the enduring nature of her action and its significance in the context of the gospel message.
PRAYER AND ALMS
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. (Acts 10:4)
In Acts 10:4, the angel informs Cornelius that his prayers and alms are a memorial offering before God, signifying God’s acceptance and remembrance of his devotion. “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God”:
This phrase emphasizes that Cornelius’s prayers and charitable deeds have been acknowledged and remembered by God.
The term “memorial offering” draws a parallel to the sacrifices of the old covenant, suggesting that God has accepted Cornelius’s offerings as pleasing to him.This phrase highlights God’s acknowledgement of Cornelius’s faith and acts of charity.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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