Much is made here about the 2 sets of 12 memorial stones. They are not mentioned elsewhere in scripture, so we may wonder why a whole chapter is devoted to them. Scholars have different opinions about these memorials. Some even claim that the story got mixed up and there was only one set of stones.
For the sake of brevity, we cannot discuss all the possible lessons and symbolism, so we will have to settle for a few thoughts. The first set of stones were taken from the dry bed of the Jordan and set up as a memorial on the bank of the river where Israel set up its first camp in the Promised Land. Remember that Gad, Reuben and half of the tribe of Manasseh had been granted land on the west bank, yet they continued to maintain solidarity with their brethren by sending armies to help them secure Canaan. This first memorial symbolized the unity of the 12 tribes as God’s chosen. This reminds us of our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. One of the reasons we partake is to show our unity as God’s chosen people.
The second set of stones mark the spot where the priests stood holding the ark of the covenant while the people crossed over. They symbolize God’s blessing, presence and deliverance. To us they can symbolize our baptism. In Baptism we went through the waters as a sign that we had died to our self. We rose up from those waters entered a new life in God’s kingdom.
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