LAY A MONUMENT TODAY (JOSHUA 3:14 – 4:1-5)
The word monument describes a status of remembrance (in Igbo – ihe ireba ama). It is something erected in memory of a person, event, etc such as building, pillar, or status. It could mean any building, megalith, etc surviving from a past age and regarded as of historical or archaeological importance or any enduring evidence or notable example of something; a monument to human ingenuity. Again, an area or a site of interest to the public for its historical significance, great natural beauty, etc. It was erected in commemoration of a person or event or in celebration of something.
In African culture, when someone purchases a piece of property, He put a pillar or plant a tree or a plant in that land to show ownership and boundaries. When someone dies we erect a monument and write some important dates and comments about the deceased. Sometimes the family or friends present souvenirs in honor and remembrance of the death. In another instance, when people grow up they become members of an age group and when the group celebrates their coming of age, they engage in a project and present it to the community. Furthermore, when people are initiated into the institution of marriage (traditional), they exchange items of value to mark that ceremony. Also as couples wed, they exchange rings as a token of their love, vows and commitment to each other. When one serves an institution and a community honorably, they could make out plaque(s) of achievements for dedication and distinction in recognition of their services to her. More so when a country go to war and capture a city, they place their country’s flag in the conquered place. Others leave memorials in form of books; parks and institutions are named after some important people. All these items speak for themselves in no little way and are great reminders of the events that took place.
The children of Israel had been released from slavery in the land of Egypt, where they were punished daily by their slave masters. They came up to the Red sea and crossed it miraculously under the leadership of Moses and later he died. And God appointed Joshua, Moses’ servant as a new leader; his apprenticeship had expired. God promised Joshua He will be with him wherever he went just as He was with his master, Moses and anywhere his footstep shall touch, he will possess it. He charged Joshua to be strong and courageous and meditate on the Book of the Law day and night (Joshua 1:1-9). God assigned him to lead the Israelites across the Jordan to the Promised Land. The instruction to cross Jordan was different from that of the Red Sea, just as the leadership. When they crossed Jordan God instructed the Israelites to lay a monument so it will be a continuous reminder of the awesome power of God on the event that took place there with the Israelites. The monument shall serve to tell the story to their children in future of how God delivered them and brought them to the Promised Land.
As Africans and people from other continents and cultures migrate to the advanced world, and enjoy the freedom of religion and speech; they are allowed to worship God in their culture and languages, the quest to open up Churches, float institutions and own businesses and organizations of indigenous nature as well as form associations and community unions became imminent and necessary. Immigrates have sojourned all over in search of a right place of worship. Some have worshipped in foreign Churches for years and still seen as strangers. They do not want to leave yet they do not feel at home. They are somehow avoiding the palaver of the indigenous set ups and prefer to just hide and remain where they are ignoring the bias and indifference. We should not be unmindful of the proliferations occasioned by the drive to be independent, self proprietorship, underlined by some element of selfishness and greed. However, life is too short to remain indifference for long. Just as we form associations and deal with the problems of structure and relationship flaws so is it with Churches.