Joshua 4:24
“that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh’s hand is mighty; that you may fear Yahweh your God forever.’””
What does Joshua 4:24 mean?
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into their promised land, God performed a stunning miracle, holding back the water so they could pass through on dry ground. Joshua instructed them to gather twelve stones as a permanent memorial of what God had done. This verse explains the deeper purpose behind that monument: it wasn't just for Israel's benefit, but so that neighboring nations would hear about God's power and recognize His strength. The "fear" mentioned here isn't about terror, but about reverence and awe, the kind of respect that comes from witnessing something beyond human capability. In other words, when people see what God does in our lives, it points them toward Him and invites them into a right relationship with Him.