We see that this act of establishing visual reminders is actually a very biblical thing to do. The Israelites would set up reminders...alters...monuments...something visual to remind themselves of God's work in their lives. After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites set up a pile of 12 stones in their camp (one for each tribe of Israel) taken from the middle of the river, to serve as a reminder of their miraculous crossing into the Promise Land. This was to be an intergenerational testimony of God's faithfulness to His people.
"So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:4-7)
God's people also used the scenery around them to remember God's law and His covenant with them. In Deuteronomy chapter 11, we see Moses pointing out Mount Gerizim (a lush place, scholars say) to remind the people of Israel of God's blessings for their faithfulness, and Mount Ebal (a barren place) to remind them of the curses which would ensue if they were unfaithful to God's covenant (v. 26). Later we see the nation of Israel in two groups standing in front of these mountain peaks, while Joshua rereads aloud these blessings and curses from the Law (Joshua 8:33). What a fantastic audio-visual lesson for learners of every age!
Jesus also taught with visual pictures in His parables. Many scholars believe He used the things around Him when telling God's spiritual truths; for example, He'd talk about the branch and the vine (John 15) as He and His disciples were traveling on a foot path through a vineyard, or discuss a grain of wheat when they were passing through wheat fields. He often spoke of simple, ordinary, tangible objects found in nature or daily life to teach a deeper spiritual truth. In this way, He kept it memorable for all audiences, for all ages, at all times.
Visual reminders are important for us, as they serve to remind us of God's faithfulness, His truths, and His promises (and like sheep, we are prone to forget and wander)! Be mindful of what you put in front of your eyes day-to-day, dear one! Let it be something of value that points your heart and mind to Him!
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