"Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." (Joshua 21:45)Can we just start with this incredible reminder of God's unending faithfulness to His people? This verse isn't in our reading plan...it is the last verse of Joshua 21, but it was way too good to pass over without mentioning. I love that the intensity of the conquest ends with a season of rest on every side and that all of this is concluded with a very bold declaration of God's perfect and infinite faithfulness. He fulfills every. single. promise. Every one. And because He does not change, this truth is the same for us today. Not one of God's promises will fail.
Whew, I could just end there and that would be encouragement enough for me today. But we'll go onto today's reading, Joshua 22.
Joshua 22 begins after the promised land has been conquered and the tribes of Israel are settling into their newly apportioned lands. Joshua has recognized the faithful service of the Gadites and the Reubenites and is now blessing and releasing them to go back to their land east of the Jordan. (See Numbers 32 for the historical context). I love that Joshua's parting words to them are the same words we have read over and over in our journey thus far. The great reminder...
"...to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul..." (22:5)It all sounds like it should be a happily ever after ending. But of course, it's not. On the way back to their land, the Gadites, Reubenites and the half tribe of Mannasseh build "an imposing altar" on the edge of the Jordan River, not far from where the Israelites crossed into the promised land.
When the Israeiltes hear of this,
"the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them." (22:12)War?! A pretty extreme reaction, right? Well, yes and no. An "imposing altar" could have been an altar to the Lord or to a pagan god. Israel assumes they built it to a pagan god and in defense of the one, true God and His holiness, they take action right away. So in Israel's defense, their passion for truth and their determination to exalt God alone is admirable. However, they may have considered a different approach. Maybe just ask?
Instead of simply asking, "Why did you build this altar?" the Israelites sent eleven men to confront the Gadites and Reubenites, bombarding them with questions like: Why are you being unfaithful and rebellious and don't you remember what happened in the past when some Israelites worshiped foreign gods? And how could you turn away and bring God's anger onto the whole congregation and don't you remember the other time an Israelite disobeyed and we all suffered for it?
Wow...a lot of assumptions and accusations there. The truth is, they have built this altar as a testimony of their loyalty to the Lord. The Gadites and Reubenites feared that one day, the Israelites would look down on them because of the barrier of the Jordan River between them. They feared that they would question their loyalty to the Lord and that they may even cause their sons to stop fearing Him. So this altar would act as a reminder both now and for all future generations to know that these two tribes love the Lord and they will continue to worship only Him. (I guess they were listening every time they were told to love God and teach their children to do the same.)
This explanation pleases the men who confronted them and everyone goes home happy again. For a little while, at least.
We might learn a thing or two from the Israelites. May we love the Lord so much that we are quick to defend His truth and holiness. But may we also follow the command in James 1:19 and be people who are...
quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
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Powerful points.
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