Joshua 22 is an action packed chapter. In Josh 22:1-6, Joshua dispatches Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh to return to their families on the other side (East) of the Jordan. They had fulfilled their vow and had done all that was commanded. After departing, the tribes erected an altar near the Jordan. This seemed to be a competing place of worship. This aroused concerns among the western tribes so they called together their armies and prepared to go to war to fight against the eastern tribes.
Before we say that this sounds barbaric...let's remember that the sins of Achan (while more than seven years before) had made a strong impression on the people to protect holiness in the land...or bring judgment against all of the people. So, the Western tribes sent a delegation consisting of the priest and ten tribal leaders. They approached the eastern tribes to inquire "what were you thinking?"
What appeared to be a breaking of unity and act of disobedience...really was their erection of a memorial which would serve as a safeguard for future generations. All involved wanted to insure that none of their grandchildren would suggest that the eastern tribes were not "really" people of God. The altar would be a perpetual reminder that God's people to the east were still God's people. It seems that both groups (east and west) learned the value and importance of never forgetting where they came from and how God had acted in their lives.
We would do well to erect markers in our lives. We have a copy of the 10 commandments framed in our house. It serves to remind us that we should not campaign for their display in a courthouse or a school...without first displaying them in our house. We are not seeking to impose God on others but to help people find transformation as we have. Baptism is a marker. Public commitments are markers. All of these are significant spiritual milestones and serve to remind us of who we are and how the Lord has shown grace toward us.
Proverbs 12:18 is the takeaway today. Words have weight and power. Power to heal and power to destroy. We are called to speak wisely. "speaking our mind" is sometimes like the thrust of a sword. Not everything we think needs to be said. Often, we can accomplish more in a well-thought through statement, than in ten pointed statements that pierce rather than heal.
Grace,
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2 comments:
My first thoughts is that sometimes we jump the gun and assume things without knowing what is going on. They built the altar and the first assumtion was it was for a sacrifice. We do this as well, we are so quick to pass judgement instead of asking questions to get the honest answer. vv 23 - 24 All they did in these verses to prove it was for good intentions was just use their words and say it was for good. I agree that it is good to have Markers of where we have been spiritually and where we are going. I like your 10 commandment marker, very nice. I think sometimes markers can turn bad, like I know people who wear a cross around their necks as they hope (I guess) it will help them to be a better person. They make awful moral decisions, poor choice of words and bad actions. Most times do not attend a church, but where the cross as I suppose a marker of their Christianity. I agree that markers are important but we just as the children have to be careful that they are infact for God's glory and not for our own.
My take away is Prov. 12:15.
I enjoyed our meeting. I hope its only the 1st of a couple. LOL
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