Monument to a Miracle

This drama brings to life the biblical account of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, as told in Joshua 3 & 4. Through a conversation between a father, Joseph, and his young son, Eli, the story unfolds about how God miraculously stopped the river's flow, allowing His people to cross on dry ground. The drama also explores the significance of the Ark of the Covenant and the monument built as a lasting reminder of God’s power and faithfulness. It emphasizes the importance of symbols in faith—not for worship, but as reminders of God’s mighty acts for future generations.

Run-Time: 10-15 minutes

Cast:

• Joseph – the father, middle-aged
• Eli – the son, 10-12 years old

Set:
A pile of rocks made of paper mache or another material is at center stage. The background flats depict a riverbank with a river in the background.

Costumes:
Traditional period costume.

Biblical Reference: Joshua 3 & 4

(Scene opens with Eli and Joseph standing near the monument of rocks.)

Eli: See the pile of rocks there beside the river, Father. Somebody must have worked really hard to get that one away up on top. Why would they do that, Father?

Joseph: That, son, is the monument. The monument to Jehovah.

Eli: A monument to Jehovah? What is the monument for, Father?

Joseph: You yourself, son, are the answer to your own question.

Eli: Please, Father. You are talking in riddles, I cannot understand. Tell me about this, please.

Joseph: Very well, Eli, I will tell you. You will recall me telling you about when I was your age, how for many years we wandered through the desert under the leadership of Moses.

Eli: Yes, Father, I remember.

Joseph: Well, it was at this point that through the grace of the Lord God Jehovah we were permitted to walk across this, the mighty Jordan River, to safety.

Eli: Walk? But this river would not permit swimming across, let alone walking across. Do you mean that once this land was barren and dry, with no water in this riverbed?

Joseph: No, my son. It was harvest time and the river was full to overflowing its banks. More full and faster flowing even than that which you see in front of you today.

Eli: But Father, how then, if the river was full, were our people able to walk across? How did you do it, Father?

Joseph: Because our way was cleared by the Lord God Jehovah, Himself. It was God who enabled us to cross.

Eli: Enabled? How did He do that, Father?

Joseph: Jehovah commanded Joshua, our leader, to bring all of our people to the shore of the Jordan, just there on the other side. We all were instructed to follow about half a mile behind the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant.

Eli: The Ark of the Covenant? That is the one in the temple in Shiloh, isn't it, Father?

Joseph: Yes, son, the Ark of the Covenant is now in Shiloh. But back in the days when our people wandered in the desert, we had the Ark with us, carried by the priests.

Eli: What is the Ark of the Covenant, Father? What is its meaning?

Joseph: The Ark of the Covenant is a wooden box overlaid in gold and is the meeting place of the Lord and our people, Israel. Inside, as God instructed our Father Moses, is placed a copy of the Law. On top of the Ark are cherubim which indicate the presence of the Lord God Jehovah.

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