Memorials

“And Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Jehovah has helped us until now.” (1Samuel 7:12)

The men of Israel were gathered at Mizpeh after Samuel judged them and they put away all the idols. (1Samuel 7:3-6) When the Philistines heard where they were, they went there but Samuel was praying for their deliverance and offering a burnt offering. As the Philistines came, God intervened and frightened them away and the men of Israel pursued after them and won. (1Samuel 7:7-11) It was then that Samuel setup a stone of memorial of God’s help.

Setting a stone or stones as a memorial was a common thing to do. Joshua had the Israelites set up twelve stones when they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. “And Joshua said to them, Pass over in front of the ark of Jehovah your God into the middle of the Jordan. And every man take a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, so that this may be a sign to you when your sons ask in time to come, saying, What do you mean by these stones?” (Joshua 4:5-6) It was something visual which reminded them of what God had done in their lives. It also was a testimony to others of God’s graciousness in their lives.

Samuel named the stone Ebenezer which meant stone of help. Moses also set up a stone altar of remembrance when the Israelites conquered Amalek. “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah My Banner.” (Exodus 17:15) Why are these memorials important? Because we have a tendency to forget.  When the going is rough, we forget that the Lord is willing and able to help us. We forget how He has helped us. And we forget that He will help us again. The memorials remind us of His love, His mercy and His help. They serve as reminders to praise and thank Him for what He has done for us each time we see the memorial. And it’s not only a testimony for us, but also for others of God’s goodness.

In the New Testament, stone memorials are no longer mentioned.  Instead we have rituals that are a remembrance. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. It’s recorded in three of the Gospels. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is My body. And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink all of it. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-22) The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of the New Covenant God makes with man through Jesus our Lord. We remember that it’s a covenant, a promise of the remission of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Another ritual in the church which can be a remembrance is baptism. It’s a memorial of what God has done in our hearts and displaying to the world that we have died with Christ and have been raised a new creation in Jesus with His resurrection.

The stone memorials of ancient days and the rituals of today are reminders of what God has done and will do. They are reminders to praise and thank God. They are signs of hope in times of difficulty and end all confusion and doubt about God’s love, God’s mercy and God’s help.