Forty years after the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt, an entirely new generation, led by Moses’ disciple Joshua, finally entered the Land of Israel, reaching a long-awaited milestone! On the 10th day of the springtime month of Nissan (Joshua 4:19), they crossed the Jordan River in a miraculous passage reminiscent of the earlier, more glorious splitting of the Sea of Reeds. As soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water, the Jordan was “cut off,” allowing the entire nation to pass through on dry ground (Joshua 3:13).
Joshua then commanded that 12 men, one from each tribe of Israel, take a stone from the riverbed of the Jordan. These 12 stones were erected at the nation’s first encampment in the Land of Israel, just east of Jericho (Joshua 4:19–20). There they stood as a lasting testimony for future generations that God fulfilled His promise, bringing the Children of Israel across the Jordan and into the Promised Land (Joshua 4:22–23).
Photo Credit: Bukvoed/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
The timing of this crossing carried major significance. It occurred exactly 40 years after the day when the Children of Israel in Egypt were first commanded to set aside a lamb or a goat for the inaugural Passover offering (Exodus 12:3). At their first encampment in the Land of Israel, the nation undertook a similarly covenantal act. All males were circumcised allowing a full recovery period of three days before the 14th of the month, when, after a 39-year hiatus, they once again offered the Passover offering (Joshua 5:10).
The Children of Israel’s first encampment in the Land of Israel served far more than a mere campsite. God called it “Gilgal” (“Rolling”), signifying that the “shame” of Israel’s bondage in Egypt had finally been “rolled away!” No longer needing to be sustained by manna (Joshua 5:12), the Children of Israel were, at last, a free people in their own Land! Please help families in Kedumim with your generous donation today!
The Families Restoring the Glory of Zion
For the past five years, Shira, a professional translator, has lived with her husband and four children in the community of Kedumim, and has loved every second of it.
“When a family has a baby, the community of Kedumim comes together and provides them with meals for two weeks,” Shira said. “I have experienced friendship and unity here in a way that I never have before.”
With a special appreciation for nature, particularly the landscapes of the Land of Israel, Shira was largely motivated to move from another community in Samaria to Kedumim because of its beautiful, tall trees. She also often travels to Gitit, east of Kedumim, where she enjoys sitting at a coffee shop while taking in breathtaking views of the Jordan Valley below.
More recently, she has been both comforted as well as fascinated by the large number of animals that have unexpectedly returned to the area around Kedumim since October 7.
“We are seeing nature coming back to life, perhaps a sign of more salvation to come!”
Shira feels herself to be uniquely privileged living as a pioneer of Kedumim:
“Being surrounded by dedicated people who share the same love for the Land is such a blessing!”
By supporting communities in Samaria like Kedumim, YOU are playing a role in the continued restoration and rebuilding of the Biblical Heartland! Donate TODAY to the pioneers of Kedumim