Joshua 24:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Joshua established a stone as a testimony to his declarations, recalling how Jacob referred to a hill as a 'witness' (See Gen. 31:47 LXX). Jesus proclaimed: This stone shall serve as a witness for you today, in the final days, should you deceive the Lord your God. It is possible that he envisaged, through God's might, that the stones could voice a reprimand against wrongdoers; if that were not the case, at the very least, each person's conscience would be pricked by the reminder's impact. Therefore, those entrusted with the care of souls prepare whatever witnesses they might possess for future presentation. The Spirit, by the nature of its essence and not bound by the constraints of time, is counted among God, not summoned by our will, but graciously bestowed by the Lord.

Why did Jesus, upon establishing the stone, proclaim, ‘This stone shall be to you for a witness: for this stone heareth all things spoken of the Lord, which I have spoken unto you this day? Although the stone lacks life, it can still serve as a testimony that admonishes the living and rational beings. Jesus utilized an ancient practice as well. Jacob and Laban, after forming a covenant, designated the hill as a witness to their agreement. Historical accounts illustrate the tremendous impact of a righteous and God-fearing leader. For it is written: Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived him, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He did for Israel (Judges 2:7).

Christ is referred to as a stone. In Isaiah, it is written: Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay a stone for a foundation in Zion, a tested stone, a cornerstone, precious and securely established: he who trusts in it shall not be put to shame (Isaiah 28:16). Similarly, in Psalm 117 we read: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, O Lord. Prosper us, O Lord. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Psalm 117:22). In Zechariah, it states: I am bringing My servant, OVER. For this is the stone that I am setting before Jesus; on this one stone are seven eyes (Zech. 3:8-9).