#city of Timnath-Serah

[granonine]

Joshua's Inheritance

Joshua 19: 49-51. When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the…

[tanach-929]

#211: Yehoshua/Joshua Chapter 24

929 chapter link: http://www.929.org.il/lang/en/page/211

Mechon Mamre link: https://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et0624.htm

1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said unto all the people: 'Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Your fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 And I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. 4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau; and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; and Jacob and his children went down into Egypt. 5 And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did in the midst thereof; and afterward I brought you out. 6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt; and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and with horsemen unto the Red Sea. 7 And when they cried out unto the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt; and ye dwelt in the wilderness many days. 8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, that dwelt beyond the Jordan; and they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand, and ye possessed their land; and I destroyed them from before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel; and he sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he even blessed you; so I delivered you out of his hand. 11 And ye went over the Jordan, and came unto Jericho; and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I delivered them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. 13 And I gave you a land whereon thou hadst not laboured, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell therein; of vineyards and olive-yards which ye planted not do ye eat. 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.' {P}

16 And the people answered and said: 'Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; 17 for the LORD our God, He it is that brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and that did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed; 18 and the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites that dwelt in the land; therefore we also will serve the LORD; for He is our God.' 19 And Joshua said unto the people: 'Ye cannot serve the LORD; for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression nor your sins. 20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that He hath done you good.' 21 And the people said unto Joshua: 'Nay; but we will serve the LORD.' 22 And Joshua said unto the people: 'Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve Him.--And they said: 'We are witnesses.'-- 23 Now therefore put away the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD, the God of Israel.' 24 And the people said unto Joshua: 'The LORD our God will we serve, and unto His voice will we hearken.' 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. {P}

27 And Joshua said unto all the people: 'Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke unto us; it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God.' 28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance. {P}

29 And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being a hundred and ten years old. 30 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash. 31 And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and had known all the work of the LORD, that He had wrought for Israel. 32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. 33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in the Hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim. {P}

Have any thoughts, opinions, feelings or insights on this chapter?  Please share!

[paulombasa]

📖BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS📖

Joshua 19

Joshua was a man of God, a strong military leader, and a wise governor of the people. For all that, he was a humble man, willing to claim his allotment of land after everyone else. He might have claimed first place and chosen his land before anyone else, and no one would have objected. But he was a servant leader, and set a worthy example for all others.As we have seen in the previous chapter, dividing the land was done by Joshua and Eleazar, the high priest at Shiloh in the presence of the Lord at the entrance of the Sanctuary which had been set up at Shiloh. This shows that the original and rightful Owner of the land was the Lord Himself.If we traced the deeds of the land we personally own back to the original owners, and past them, we would ultimately come to God. We are not the real owners: we are tenants, and the Lord will ask us how we have used His property and for what purpose.Ralph NeallRetired Professor and Missionary.

GOOD MORNING.

To [Joshua], as to Caleb, a special promise of inheritance had been given; yet he asked for no extensive province, but only a single city....The name given to the city was Timnath-serah, "the portion that remains"--a standing testimony to the noble character and unselfish spirit of the conqueror, who, instead of being the first to appropriate the spoils of conquest, deferred his claim until the humblest of his people had been served. {PP 515}

HAVE A BLESSED DAY

[melissa-lynne]

The Lord Hath Need of Him

The Lord Hath Need of Him

Joshua 19:1–20:9; Luke 19:28-48; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 13:12-14 The Children of Israel Gave an Inheritance to JoshuaWhen they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: according to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he…

[jeffersonvann]

what he allots

what he allots Joshua 19:49-51 (JDV) Joshua 19:49 When they had finished distributing the land into its territories, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them. Joshua 19:50 By Yahveh’s command, they gave him the city Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, which he requested. He rebuilt the city and lived in it. Joshua 19:51 These were the portions that the priest…

[walkthroughtheword]

Reading for July 31st Joshua 19-20

Joshua 19:49-50 “After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation. 50For the Lord had said he could have any town he wanted. He chose Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the town and lived there.”

This is just one of many examples of why God chose Joshua to follow Moses as the leader of the Israelites. Joshua shows great humility here by receiving his portion last. This level of service and placing others first makes him an outstanding leader. Have you ever had a leader like this in your life?

Chapter 20 gives us more detail on the cities of refuge that God ordered Moses to create in Numbers 35. These sanctuary cities were for someone who unintentionally or accidentally killed another person. These cities were for someone who had committed manslaughter, NOT murder. The difference here is huge. Murder is the intentional slaying of another person with premeditation, whereas manslaughter is the killing of another person without premeditation. Here’s what God says about punishing murder in Genesis 9:5-6 “And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.”

Again, let’s take this to the New Testament with the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”

Jesus, as he did later with adultery, resets the standard for what is murder. Murder is not only an action, it is a matter of the heart. Murder has its foundation in anger and that must be purged from our hearts. As God commanded Moses and the Israelites to set-up cities of refuge, we also need to be people of refuge. Instead of fueling the fires of anger, frustration, and hatred, be peaceful. You have the Holy Spirit inside of you that can bring the calming love of Christ to others who desperately need a break from the storms.

[biblemillion]

Updated New Episode: Joshua 19/ ヨシュア記(よしゅあき) 19

本日のピックアップは、50節です。

「主の命いより、ヨシュアが求めた町、すなわち、エフライムの山地にあるティムナテ・セラフを彼に与えた。彼は町を建てて、そこに住んだ。」

Today’s pick up is verse 50.

“According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it. “

[carltonblaylock]

Boundaries of Joshua

Joshua 19:49-51 49 When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 50 According to the word of the Lord, they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it. 51 These were the inheritances which Eleazar…

[justfortodayandrecovery]

Highlights: Inheritance of Manasseh; Canaanites forced to pay taxes to Israelites; Tabernacle set up at Shiloh; remainder of the land divided. When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: According to the Word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein (Josh. 19:49-50). It was not until every tribe had received their inheritance that Joshua, in true humility, asked for the portion of rough territory within his own tribe of Ephraim, near Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was erected and where he could best serve and worship the Lord. There he built the small village of Timnath-serah. It was the least inheritance asked for by anyone. The earthly inheritance of this great leader was so insignificant that the only other reference made to it in the Bible is as the place of Joshua's grave (24:30). Joshua was not only the last in his own tribe, but the last in all the tribes to be apportioned his land. He was truly a type of Christ who would teach us: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Joshua illustrates the biblical principle of preferring one another (Rom. 12:10). When we have our lives and priorities centered upon the worship and service of the Lord, we need not fear getting our share. In fact, we will gladly accept less if it puts us in a closer relationship to the things of God. The truly great people of God do not complain and are not greedy. They do not expect others to serve or praise them. Their goals and aspirations are not for material greatness or for recognition from others. Godly people find their satisfaction in being servants of the Lord and fulfilling His will. Perhaps one of the greatest hindrances to a Christian's life is "things" — even good things — that crowd out Christ. But the more concerned we are with eternal values, the less important material possessions become. Walled cities and great wealth would be poor rewards for anyone who desires a city whose Builder and Maker is God (Heb. 11:10). Though Joshua was grea https://www.instagram.com/p/B96rsCQp2jJ/?igshid=1a27i07azjg52

[emendeztx]

According to the commandment of Hashem they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in the hill-country of Efraim; and he built the city, and dwelt therein. Joshua 19:50 (The Israel Bible™) עַל פִּי יְהוָה נָתְנוּ לוֹ אֶת הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר שָׁאָל אֶת תִּמְ��ַת סֶרַח בְּהַר אֶפְרָיִם וַיִּבְנֶה אֶת הָעִיר וַיֵּשֶׁב בָּהּ יהושע יט:נ al pee a-do-NAI na-t’-NU lo et ha-EER a-SHER sha-AL et tim-NAT SE-rakh b’-HAR ef-RA-yim va-yiv-NEH et ha-EER va-YAY-shev bah Today's Israel Inspiration As the leader of the people, Joshua waits until the end of the division of the Land to receive his inheritance. He asks for Timnat Serach in the mountains of Ephraim. Through the divine lottery, God grants his request. Unlike those who inherited places built by the Canaanites, Joshua would not be able to simply move in. He needs to build the city. This is the task of leaders – to build where there is currently nothing. God has blessed many modern religious, political and business leaders in Israel who have followed this model with success. Communities, schools, organizations and institutions, in addition to flourishing landscapes, have risen from nothing as part of the miraculous growth of the State of Israel. Not to be forgotten are the military successes that led to Israel's ability to reconquer her land thereby allowing for the country to grow in incredible ways. Considered the descendants of Joshua, the IDF is constantly at the ready to defend the land they love so that the Jewish people may dwell in peace.

[araitsume]

Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 521-524: Chapter (49) The Last Words of Joshua

This chapter is based on Joshua 23 and 24.

The wars and conquest ended, Joshua had withdrawn to the peaceful retirement of his home at Timnath-serah. “And it came to pass, a long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua ... called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers.”

Some years had passed since the people had settled in their possessions, and already could be seen cropping out the same evils that had heretofore brought judgments upon Israel. As Joshua felt the infirmities of age stealing upon him, and realized that his work must soon close, he was filled with anxiety for the future of his people. It was with more than a father's interest that he addressed them, as they gathered once more about their aged chief. “Ye have seen,” he said, “all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the Lord your God is He that hath fought for you.” Although the Canaanites had been subdued, they still possessed a considerable portion of the land promised to Israel, and Joshua exhorted his people not to settle down at ease and forget the Lord's command to utterly dispossess these idolatrous nations.

The people in general were slow to complete the work of driving out the heathen. The tribes had dispersed to their possessions, the army had disbanded, and it was looked upon as a difficult and doubtful undertaking to renew the war. But Joshua declared: “The Lord your God, He shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.”

Joshua appealed to the people themselves as witnesses that, so far as they had complied with the conditions, God had faithfully fulfilled His promises to them. “Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls,” he said, “that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” He declared to them that as the Lord had fulfilled His promises, so He would fulfill His threatenings. “It shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things.... When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord, ... then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which He hath given unto you.”

Satan deceives many with the plausible theory that God's love for His people is so great that He will excuse sin in them; he represents that while the threatenings of God's word are to serve a certain purpose in His moral government, they are never to be literally fulfilled. But in all His dealings with His creatures God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character—by demonstrating that its sure result is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been, and never will be. Such pardon would show the abandonment of the principles of righteousness, which are the very foundation of the government of God. It would fill the unfallen universe with consternation. God has faithfully pointed out the results of sin, and if these warnings were not true, how could we be sure that His promises would be fulfilled? That so-called benevolence which would set aside justice is not benevolence but weakness.

God is the life-giver. From the beginning all His laws were ordained to life. But sin broke in upon the order that God had established, and discord followed. So long as sin exists, suffering and death are inevitable. It is only because the Redeemer has borne the curse of sin in our behalf that man can hope to escape, in his own person, its dire results.

Before the death of Joshua the heads and representatives of the tribes, obedient to his summons, again assembled at Shechem. No spot in all the land possessed so many sacred associations, carrying their minds back to God's covenant with Abraham and Jacob, and recalling also their own solemn vows upon their entrance into Canaan. Here were the mountains Ebal and Gerizim, the silent witnesses of those vows which now, in the presence of their dying leader, they had assembled to renew. On every side were evidences of what God had wrought for them; how He had given them a land for which they did not labor, and cities which they built not, vineyards and oliveyards which they planted not. Joshua reviewed once more the history of Israel, recounting the wonderful works of God, that all might have a sense of His love and mercy and might serve Him “in sincerity and in truth.”

By Joshua's direction the ark had been brought from Shiloh. The occasion was one of great solemnity, and this symbol of God's presence would deepen the impression he wished to make upon the people. After presenting the goodness of God toward Israel, he called upon them, in the name of Jehovah, to choose whom they would serve. The worship of idols was still to some extent secretly practiced, and Joshua endeavored now to bring them to a decision that should banish this sin from Israel. “If it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah,” he said, “choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua desired to lead them to serve God, not by compulsion, but willingly. Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship.

The aged leader urged the people to consider, in all its bearings, what he had set before them, and to decide if they really desired to live as did the degraded idolatrous nations around them. If it seemed evil to them to serve Jehovah, the source of power, the fountain of blessing, let them that day choose whom they would serve—“the gods which your fathers served,” from whom Abraham was called out, “or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell.” These last words were a keen rebuke to Israel. The gods of the Amorites had not been able to protect their worshipers. Because of their abominable and debasing sins, that wicked nation had been destroyed, and the good land which they once possessed had been given to God's people. What folly for Israel to choose the deities for whose worship the Amorites had been destroyed! “As for me and my house,” said Joshua, “we will serve Jehovah.” The same holy zeal that inspired the leader's heart was communicated to the people. His appeals called forth the unhesitating response, “God forbid that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods.”

“Ye cannot serve the Lord,” said Joshua: “for He is a holy God; ... He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.” Before there could be any permanent reformation the people must be led to feel their utter inability in themselves to render obedience to God. They had broken His law, it condemned them as transgressors, and it provided no way of escape. While they trusted in their own strength and righteousness, it was impossible for them to secure the pardon of their sins; they could not meet the claims of God's perfect law, and it was in vain that they pledged themselves to serve God. It was only by faith in Christ that they could secure pardon of sin and receive strength to obey God's law. They must cease to rely upon their own efforts for salvation, they must trust wholly in the merits of the promised Saviour, if they would be accepted of God.

Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to fulfill. With deep earnestness they repeated the declaration: “Nay; but we will serve the Lord.” Solemnly consenting to the witness against themselves that they had chosen Jehovah, they once more reiterated their pledge of loyalty: “The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey.

“So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.” Having written an account of this solemn transaction, he placed it, with the book of the law, in the side of the ark. And he set up a pillar as a memorial, saying, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which He spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.”

Joshua's work for Israel was done. He had “wholly followed the Lord;” and in the book of God he is written, “The servant of Jehovah.” The noblest testimony to his character as a public leader is the history of the generation that had enjoyed his labors: “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua.”

[dailychapel]

Whenever I’m stressed, anxious, or afraid, help me remember to run to you. You're the only one that can calm my fears and end my fretful behavior. Whether in trivial or heavy matters, I know you will not only give me peace; Lord, you will be my peace. And when I draw close to you—in prayer, in reading your Word, in helping another, in taking my mind off myself—you will be there, up close and personal.

I can't handle these times alone, Lord. Will you speak peace and calm my storms, or hold my hand while we walk through them together? Will you bring the reassuring wisdom of those who have come through similar times into my life? Thank you, Lord. I'm trusting you. In the name of the One who makes the wind and the waves stand still, Amen.

[Psa 4:1-8 NLT] 1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3 You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. 4 Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD. 6 Many people say, "Who will show us better times?" Let your face smile on us, LORD. 7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.

[Jdg 2:1-23 NLT] 1 The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, "I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you. 2 For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? 3 So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you." 4 When the angel of the LORD finished speaking to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. 5 So they called the place Bokim (which means "weeping"), and they offered sacrifices there to the LORD. 6 After Joshua sent the people away, each of the tribes left to take possession of the land allotted to them. 7 And the Israelites served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him--those who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the land he had been allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. 13 They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. 14 This made the LORD burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. 15 Every time Israel went out to battle, the LORD fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as he had warned. And the people were in great distress. 16 Then the LORD raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers. 17 Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD's commands. 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge's lifetime. For the LORD took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20 So the LORD burned with anger against Israel. He said, "Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, 21 I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. 22 I did this to test Israel--to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did." 23 That is why the LORD left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all.

[Act 13:44-52 NLT] 44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. 45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. 47 For the Lord gave us this command when he said, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'" 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. 49 So the Lord's message spread throughout that region. 50 Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. 52 And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, send us out with confidence in your word, to tell the world of your saving acts, and bring glory to your name. Amen.

[tanach-929]

#206: Yehoshua/Joshua Chapter 19

929 chapter link: http://www.929.org.il/lang/en/page/206

Mechon Mamre link: https://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et0619.htm

1 And the second lot came out for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families; and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Judah. 2 And they had for their inheritance Beer-sheba with Sheba, and Moladah; 3 and Hazarshual, and Balah, and Ezem; 4 and Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah; 5 and Ziklag, and Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susah; 6 and Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities with their villages: 7 Ain, Rimmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities with their villages; 8 and all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalath-beer, as far as Ramah of the South. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. 9 Out of the allotment of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon, for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them; therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the midst of their inheritance. {P}

10 And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to their families; and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid. 11 And their border went up westward, even to Maralah, and reached to Dabbesheth; and it reached to the brook that is before Jokneam. 12 And it turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chisloth-tabor; and it went out to Dobrath, and went up to Japhia. 13 And from thence it passed along eastward to Gath-hepher, to Ethkazin; and it went out at Rimmon-methoar unto Neah. 14 And the border turned about it on the north to Hannathon; and the goings out thereof were at the valley of Iphtahel; 15 and Kattath, and Nahalal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Beth-lehem; twelve cities with their villages. 16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages. {P}

17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families. 18 And their border was Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem; 19 and Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath; 20 and Rabbith, and Kishion, and Ebez; 21 and Remeth, and En-gannim, and En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez; 22 and the border reached to Tabor, and Shahazim, and Beth-shemesh; and the goings out of their border were at the Jordan; sixteen cities with their villages. 23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages. {P}

24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families. 25 And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph; 26 and Allam-melech, and Amad, and Mishal; and it reached to Carmel westward, and to Shihor-libnath. 27 And it turned toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it went out to Cabul on the left hand, 28 and Ebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon. 29 And the border turned to Ramah, and to the fortified city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea from Hebel to Achzib; 30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob; twenty and two cities with their villages. 31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages. {P}

32 The sixth lot came out for the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families. 33 And their border was from Heleph, from Elon-beza-anannim, and Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakkum; and the goings out thereof were at the Jordan. 34 And the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor, and went out from thence to Hukok; and it reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west, and to Judah at the Jordan toward the sunrising. 35 And the fortified cities were Ziddim-zer, and Hammath, and Rakkath, and Chinnereth; 36 and Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor; 37 and Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor; 38 and Iron, and Migdal-el, and Horem, and Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages. 39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities with their villages. {P}

40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families. 41 And the border of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh; 42 and Shaalabbin, and Aijalon, and Ithlah; 43 and Elon, and Timnah, and Ekron; 44 and Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath; 45 and Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon; 46 and Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border over against Joppa. 47 And the border of the children of Dan was too strait for them; so the children of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages. {S} 49 When they had made an end of distributing the land for inheritance by the borders thereof, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun in the midst of them; 50 according to the commandment of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in the hill-country of Ephraim; and he built the city, and dwelt therein. 51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tent of meeting. So they made an end of dividing the land. {P}

Have any thoughts, opinions, feelings or insights on this chapter?  Please share!

[updcbc]

October 1, 2017 - “The Legacy Lives On: The Death of Joshua” Joshua 24:1-33

Click KEEP READING to read the full sermon.

Introduction

The cemetery has a personal connection to our lives. It portrays our bond with our departed loved ones whom we treasure in our hearts. It reminds us of the sanctity of life and ushers us into solitude to commune with our souls. It invites us to focus on our mortality and helps us to examine our hearts. Life is short indeed. Death is common to all. In Christ, we are safe and secure now and for eternity. We wrestle with one serious thought. In the sacredness and brevity of life, it is vanity if all that could be remembered about each one of us—as inscribed in our own tombstone—is our personal name with the dates of our birth and death.

A tombstone is a silent mystery of life. Inscribed on it is the name of a person who has been taken away from us. It speaks on the shortness or longevity of one solitary life. An epitaph unveils a lasting memory in remembrance of a person among the circle of family or community where he or she belonged. There is one particular inscription on a tombstone that may be insignificant to us. It is the dash—that small thing—between the dates of birth and death. What is embodied within the dash? It reveals who the person really is and the life a person lived. Enshrined within the dash is the unspoken legacy of life a person can offer to the world. And it can be either for good or evil. Listen to the wisdom of the wise, “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7). Each one of us will have our own tombstone, whether inscribed on a stone or written in the heart. What does our tombstone speak about us and the legacy we can offer to those left behind us?

Moses and Joshua were the first two leaders of Israel as a nation. They led their own generation in great contrast. After the exodus of the Hebrew nation from Egypt, Moses led the rebellious generation who wandered for forty years and perished in the wilderness. Joshua led the obedient generation who conquered Canaan and inherited the Promised Land. The tombstone of the former generation could be marked under a curse while that of the former bear a tombstone of a blessing. On the part of Moses and Joshua, their tombstones could be inscribed with the same word: faithfulness. How were these two great leaders remembered? The word of the LORD to Joshua spoke well of these two faithful servant-leaders, “As I was with Moses so I will be with you” (Joshua 1:5b). What could be written on their tombstones? In their respective tombstones could be inscribed this epitaph, “God was with Moses” and “God was with Joshua.” It was upon this promise, “I am with you,” that Moses and Joshua enshrined the LORD as the God of Israel and both declared God as the Lord of all nations. In every generation of the Hebrew nation, and to the Gentiles as well, this legacy lives on.

Moses died.  God buried him on the plains of Moab in an undisclosed burial site. Joshua, in his old age, bid farewell to his own people. He declared upon his countrymen the same blessings and curses which Moses did to Israel. Moses appealed to his people to choose life and blessing in their devotion to God. In Joshua’s zeal for God and Israel, he led his people and they renewed their covenant with the LORD at Shechem (Josh. 24:1-28). Afterwards, Joshua died and was buried in his hometown in Timnath Serah in Ephraim (24:29-30, 32-33). Yet, beyond the grave, Joshua left a living legacy to Israel and to the world (24:15b, 31). In this closing historical account, we will end our journey with Joshua and Israel in their journey into the Promised Land. And we must be conscientious to keep the legacy alive in our own generation.

A. The Renewal of the Covenant (24:1-28)=

After Joshua gave his farewell message to Israel, he gathered his people in Shechem. The city of Shechem was the valley in between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. It was at Mount Ebal that Joshua built on altar in obedience to the command of the LORD during the early stage when Israel entered Canaan. When Joshua had built this altar, the new generation of the Hebrew nation who survived the wanderings in the wilderness made their covenant with God in the Promised Land. In the final year of Joshua, he led his countrymen in renewing their covenant with the LORD their God.

1.  The Assembly at Shechem

The great assembly of Israel gathered in Shechem.

“Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.” (v. 1) 

At Joshua’s command, all the Israelites from the east and west of the Jordan, together with their leaders from every tribe, stood before the presence of the LORD. This was the first national gathering after Israel had settled in the Promised Land. And this would be the final assembly for Joshua to stand before his beloved countrymen.

 2.  Remembering the Journey of Israel

Joshua recalled to his people their rich ancestral heritage and amazing journey as a covenant nation.

a.     The Patriarchs

Joshua began his historical narrative with the great patriarchs of the Hebrew people.

Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt.” (vv. 2-4) 

This set the background for Israel as a covenant people of God. It all began with God. The LORD called Abraham and promised him to build a great nation and a land of promise to his descendants. The promise to Abraham stood firm even to his son Isaac and to his grandson Jacob who became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. And it was to Abraham that God foretold that Israel would be enslaved in Egypt for four hundred years before they would enter the Promised Land.

b.    The Exodus

Joshua continued his story about their great deliverance from Egypt.

“Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians.” (vv. 5-7a)

The exodus was the defining movement of God that set Israel apart from Egypt. God poured out his judgments over the Egyptians because of the stubbornness of Pharaoh. God showed his wonders over Israel until they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. It was through this redemptive work of God in delivering his people that Israel became conscious as a people of God in fulfillment of the divine promise to Abraham. And the LORD raised Moses, assisted by his brother Aaron, to lead Israel out of Egypt.

c.     The Wanderings

Then Joshua retold the restless wandering of Israel in the wilderness. “Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.” (v. 7b) 

It was a short but a poignant statement. The restless wandering of Israel in the wilderness for forty years served as a stark reminder for Israel not to break their covenant with the LORD their God. Judgment always begins among the people of God. Anyone who would rebel against the LORD would be under a curse. It was indeed, and it still remains, a dreadful thing to fall in the hands of the living God.

d.    The Conquest of Transjordan

Joshua moved on with his narrative account about the conquest over the formidable kingdoms east of the Jordan.

“I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land. When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand.” (vv. 8-10) 

It was the LORD who delivered to Israel, Sihon, the powerful king of Heshbon and Og, the giant king of Bashan. Their kingdoms were given to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh as their inheritance. God kept his promise to Abraham that he will bless his descendants.

e.     The Conquest of Canaan

And finally, Joshua recalled to Israel of their conquest over Canaan.

“Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” (vv. 11-13) 

Joshua made it clear to them, “You did not do it with your own sword and bow.” It was the LORD’s battle and he gave the good land to Israel.

History is the story of the sovereign God of heaven over all the peoples on earth. This was true to Israel. God made a promise to Abraham and he fulfilled it to Israel as his chosen people. Abraham lived as a stranger in Canaan and Israel settled in the Promised Land. Every Hebrew man and woman could not help but stand in awe that in the midst of their dark and restless journey, it was the LORD who silently moved behind the scenes and orchestrated all things in preserving and blessing them as a covenant nation. God is not a man who should lie or change his mind. He is true to his word and fulfills his promise. Israel must always remember their rich historical heritage. In the sovereign hands of the LORD, anyone, Hebrew or Gentile, who would enthrone him as the God of heaven and earth will be safe and secure both now and forever.

3.  The Call to Serve God

Under the sovereignty of God, it was on this historical background that Joshua appealed to his own people to be faithful to the LORD their God.

a.     Joshua Summoned Israel

In reverence and gratitude, Israel was summoned to serve the LORD.

“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (vv. 14-15)

Israel must fear the LORD and serve him with all their hearts. In this noble call of reverential fear and wholehearted service, Joshua commanded his countrymen to turn from every form of idolatry in the land and destroy every idol from their hearts. Israel must make a decisive choice. It was on this occasion that Joshua declared on their propensity to turn away from God. But as for him and his household, they were resolved to worship and serve the LORD their God.

Joshua was a great leader and a godly man. And his personal godliness and spiritual leadership took their roots inside his home. His wife was a woman of God and their children walked in the footsteps of their parents. Greatness in the kingdom of God must always begin inside the home. This noble call is for every Hebrew and Christian.

b.    The Pledge of Israel

What was the response of the Israelites to Joshua?

Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.” (vv. 16-18)

Israel vowed to serve the LORD their God. Joshua took them at their word. But, he unveiled their propensity in turning away from God and warned them of its dire consequences.

Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” (vv. 19-20)

The Israelites stood on their ground and held themselves accountable before God. “But the people said to Joshua, ‘No! We will serve the LORD’” (v. 21). “Then Joshua said, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.’ ‘Yes, we are witnesses,’ they replied” (v. 22). In the affirmation to their solemn pledge, Joshua called them to be faithful to God. “Now then,” said Joshua, ‘Throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel” (v. 23). “And the people said to Joshua, ‘We will serve the LORD our God and obey him’” (v. 24). It was before Joshua that Israel swore in the name of the LORD for them to serve the LORD their God with all their hearts.

4.  The Covenant Renewed at Shechem

It was on this oath that Joshua led his people in the renewal of their covenant with the LORD their God. The destiny of Israel would be determined on their loyalty or disloyalty to the covenant.

a.     The Reading of the Law

Joshua renewed the covenant based on the Law of the Lord.

“On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God.” (vv. 25-26a)

The blessings and the curses written in the Law of Moses were read and declared to Israel. If Israel would obey the LORD they would be blessed in the Promised Land. But if they would disobey God they would be destroyed until they would be expelled from the good land.

b.    The Witness Stone

Joshua set a large stone as a witness to their renewed covenant.

Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD. “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.” (vv. 26b-27)

In solidarity as a people, Israel held themselves accountable to God.

c.     Israel Settled Home

“Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own inheritance” (v. 28). The renewal of the covenant established Israel in the Promised Land. The great assembly of Israel was blessed by Joshua. He gave his final blessing to his people. And each family went home with great joy!

B.  The Burial in the Promised Land (24:29-30, 32-33)

The great celebration of Israel in renewing their covenant with God was soon followed by national mourning when Joshua was gathered to his own people.

1. The Burial of Joshua

Joshua died and was buried in his homeland.

After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.” (vv. 29-30) 

At the age of 110, he was gathered to his ancestors. And he was buried in his inheritance at Timnath Serah in the ancestral territory of Ephraim. In the sight of the world, Joshua was known as the great leader of Israel and the famous great warrior who conquered mighty kings and formidable kingdoms. In the sight of heaven, he was esteemed as “the servant of the LORD.” Joshua knew it well that God was the commander of the army of Israel and he alone was the Lord of his life. All Israel mourned and paid their final tribute to their great leader.

 2.  The Burial of Joseph

The remains of Joseph were also buried in the Promised Land.

“And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants.” (v. 32) 

The request of Joseph in Egypt was fulfilled as recorded in Genesis 50:25, “And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, ‘God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.’” Joseph spoke of the future deliverance of Israel from Egypt in their journey back to Canaan. He made an arrangement for his countrymen to carry his bones and be buried with his forefathers in the Promised Land. And he was given an honorable burial in Shechem.

3.  The Burial of Eleazar

And Eleazar, the high priest, also died and was buried in his ancestral home in the Promised Land.

“And Eleazar son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah, which had been allotted to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.” (v. 33)

Eleazar was the son of Aaron. As the high priest in the time of Joshua, Eleazar was a trustworthy servant over the religious life of Israel. In obedience to the command of Moses, he worked with Joshua in administering the division of the land to Israel. He was buried at Gibeah in the territory of Ephraim. His son Phinehas succeeded him as the high priest in accordance of the words of the LORD (Num. 25:13).

C. The Legacy to Israel (24:15b, 31)

What was the living legacy of Joshua to Israel? His influence overflowed from his being as “the servant of the LORD” (24:29). Israel embraced the virtue of servanthood. Through Joshua’s wholehearted service, he inspired his people to serve the LORD with all their hearts.

1.  Joshua Serve the LORD

Joshua made his personal covenant, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (v. 15b).

In serving the LORD, he took God at his word and obeyed all his commandments. He had his own failure but rectified it. He failed to consult God with regard to the Gibeonites, but he honored his agreement with them which was done in the name of the LORD. He learned his lesson well and he became more circumspect in discerning and obeying the will of God. As the servant of the LORD, his great legacy was more than the conquest of Canaan and the division of the inheritance to Israel in the Promised Land. His servant heart molded him as a great leader. This servant attitude was a living legacy to his home and nation.

2.  Israel Served the LORD

Israel followed the footsteps of Joshua in serving the LORD their God. Amazingly, Joshua influenced one whole nation. He touched the heart of his people and the soul of his generation. The leaders in the land became servants to their countrymen. And the people of Israel became faithful to their covenant. This awesome national transformation could be traced to the legacy of this one humble man.

“Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel.” (v. 31)

Thus far, our journey with Israel into the Promised Land is a humbling experience. The LORD had raised a new leader who was a true servant at its core. God had also built a new generation who was loyal to him and his anointed servant. Moses had a special place in this great transition of Israel. He was the servant of the LORD who personally equipped Joshua as his successor and who painstakingly trained the new generation to be obedient to the LORD their God. For us to see the servant-leadership of Joshua and the wholehearted obedience of his countrymen, in embracing their legacies, we humbly search our hearts.

Conclusion

The book of Joshua began with this word, “Moses is dead.” And Joshua was terrified when God anointed him to lead his people. At the LORD’s command he obeyed and conquered Canaan and Israel inherited the Promised Land. In his old age, Joshua bid farewell to his people. In the end, he led them in renewing their covenant with the LORD their God. Then Joshua died and was buried in the Land of Promise. Yet beyond his grave, his legacy remains much alive in Israel and to the world. In closure, what convictions can we treasure from our journey with Israel?

Renew our covenant. Israel renewed their covenant and enthroned the LORD as their God. The LORD alone is the God of heaven and earth. The God of the Hebrews is the God of the Christians. Every Hebrew and Christian ought to love the LORD and obey his commandments. The Law of Moses inscribed on stone tablets must be written in our hearts. The covenant given at Mount Sinai to Moses found its fulfillment at the Cross of Christ at Calvary. The fullness of the covenant for Israel and the Church was anchored upon the death and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus as the Christ is the fulfillment and end of the law for in his life he had fulfilled all the demands of the Law of Moses. Through his sacrificial death at the Cross, he paid for all our sins and now offers forgiveness and salvation to anyone who would believe in him and yield his life to him. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world for all Hebrews and Gentiles. Every believing Hebrew and Christian enters into a new and ultimate covenant in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and the Lord of all. We affirm this sacred and binding covenant every time we observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of the sacrificial death of our Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our sins for us to live in righteousness. This is the essence in observing the Lord’s Supper.

Serve our God. Joshua served the LORD. Israel served their God. In serving the LORD their God out of their devotion to him, the Hebrew people as a covenant nation turned away from every form of idolatrous worship in the Promised Land. The faith of Abraham was inherited by his son Isaac, grandson Jacob and the nation of Israel. Moses believed in the LORD and served him by delivering his people from Egypt. Joshua yielded his life to God and served him by leading his countrymen in Canaan. In the Promised Land, Israel wholeheartedly served the LORD. What does it mean for us to serve the LORD our God in our generation? We must not depart from the faith of our father Abraham and all the Hebrew patriarchs. The LORD God who revealed himself and appeared to Moses through a burning bush in the wilderness remains the same as the very God and LORD of all nations. In the core of the faith of Israel is the revelation that the LORD is God. This central truth defines us as the covenant people of God. In serving the LORD we enthrone him as God of our lives. The LORD must be the center of our lives and everything must revolve around him.

Leave a legacy. Moses died and God buried him in an undisclosed graveyard in Moab. Joshua died and Israel buried him in the Promised Land. Beyond their graves, their legacies live on. Both were esteemed as “the servant of the LORD.” Moses faithfully served a disobedient generation and Joshua served an obedient generation. Like these great men of God, we can choose to make a godly and lasting legacy in our own generation regardless if our own people are loyal or disloyal to the LORD our God. We build our own tombstones. A tombstone is more than a stone. A tombstone is a heritage of life whether it is written on a stone or inscribed in the heart. We only have one solitary life to live, offer and serve. In the end, what does our own tombstone speak about us and what legacy can we pass on to our children and to our generation?

[christianitywithouttheinsanity]

Joshua 18-21; Psalm 15; Luke 18

Discuss in the comments section.

The following text is from the Common English Bible. Occasionally we will rotate the translations just to have some variety.

Joshua 18-21

18:1 Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them.

2 There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. 3 So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? 4 Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me. 5 They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall continue in his territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north. 6 And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God. 7 The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the Lord is their heritage. And Gad and Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan eastward, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.”

8 So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, “Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the Lord in Shiloh.” 9 So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions. Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh, 10 and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.

11 The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to its clans came up, and the territory allotted to it fell between the people of Judah and the people of Joseph. 12 On the north side their boundary began at the Jordan. Then the boundary goes up to the shoulder north of Jericho, then up through the hill country westward, and it ends at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 13 From there the boundary passes along southward in the direction of Luz, to the shoulder of Luz (that is, Bethel), then the boundary goes down to Ataroth-addar, on the mountain that lies south of Lower Beth-horon. 14 Then the boundary goes in another direction, turning on the western side southward from the mountain that lies to the south, opposite Beth-horon, and it ends at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city belonging to the people of Judah. This forms the western side. 15 And the southern side begins at the outskirts of Kiriath-jearim. And the boundary goes from there to Ephron, to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah. 16 Then the boundary goes down to the border of the mountain that overlooks the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, which is at the north end of the Valley of Rephaim. And it then goes down the Valley of Hinnom, south of the shoulder of the Jebusites, and downward to En-rogel. 17 Then it bends in a northerly direction going on to En-shemesh, and from there goes to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim. Then it goes down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben, 18 and passing on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-arabah it goes down to the Arabah. 19 Then the boundary passes on to the north of the shoulder of Beth-hoglah. And the boundary ends at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan: this is the southern border. 20 The Jordan forms its boundary on the eastern side. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin, according to their clans, boundary by boundary all around.

21 Now the cities of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to their clans were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz, 22 Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, 23 Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, 24 Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, Geba—twelve cities with their villages: 25 Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, 26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah, 27 Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, 28 Zela, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the people of Benjamin according to its clans.

19:1 The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the people of Simeon, according to their clans, and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the people of Judah. 2 And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, 3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, 4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, 6 Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities with their villages; 7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities with their villages, 8 together with all the villages around these cities as far as Baalath-beer, Ramah of the Negeb. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Simeon according to their clans. 9 The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.

10 The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun, according to their clans. And the territory of their inheritance reached as far as Sarid. 11 Then their boundary goes up westward and on to Mareal and touches Dabbesheth, then the brook that is east of Jokneam. 12 From Sarid it goes in the other direction eastward toward the sunrise to the boundary of Chisloth-tabor. From there it goes to Daberath, then up to Japhia. 13 From there it passes along on the east toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin, and going on to Rimmon it bends toward Neah, 14 then on the north the boundary turns about to Hannathon, and it ends at the Valley of Iphtahel; 15 and Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem—twelve cities with their villages. 16 This is the inheritance of the people of Zebulun, according to their clans—these cities with their villages.

17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, for the people of Issachar, according to their clans. 18 Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, 19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, 21 Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, Beth-pazzez. 22 The boundary also touches Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and its boundary ends at the Jordan—sixteen cities with their villages. 23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Issachar, according to their clans—the cities with their villages.

24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans. 25 Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph, 26 Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west it touches Carmel and Shihor-libnath, 27 then it turns eastward, it goes to Beth-dagon, and touches Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtahel northward to Beth-emek and Neiel. Then it continues in the north to Cabul, 28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, as far as Sidon the Great. 29 Then the boundary turns to Ramah, reaching to the fortified city of Tyre. Then the boundary turns to Hosah, and it ends at the sea; Mahalab, Achzib, 30 Ummah, Aphek and Rehob—twenty-two cities with their villages. 31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans—these cities with their villages.

32 The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans. 33 And their boundary ran from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, and Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and it ended at the Jordan. 34 Then the boundary turns westward to Aznoth-tabor and goes from there to Hukkok, touching Zebulun at the south and Asher on the west and Judah on the east at the Jordan. 35 The fortified cities are Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, 36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, 37 Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor, 38 Yiron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh—nineteen cities with their villages. 39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Naphtali according to their clans—the cities with their villages.

40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans. 41 And the territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh, 42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, 43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron, 44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath, 45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon, 46 and Me-jarkon and Rakkon with the territory over against Joppa. 47 When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans—these cities with their villages.

49 When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 50 By command of the Lord they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it.

51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the Lord, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.

20:1 Then the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. 5 And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. 6 And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’”

7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 8 And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they appointed Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland, from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.

21:1 Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. 2 And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The Lord commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.” 3 So by command of the Lord the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance.

4 The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities.

5 And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.

6 The Gershonites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

7 The Merarites according to their clans received from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.

8 These cities and their pasturelands the people of Israel gave by lot to the Levites, as the Lord had commanded through Moses.

9 Out of the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the people of Simeon they gave the following cities mentioned by name, 10 which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the clans of the Kohathites who belonged to the people of Levi; since the lot fell to them first. 11 They gave them Kiriath-arba (Arba being the father of Anak), that is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, along with the pasturelands around it. 12 But the fields of the city and its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession.

13 And to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands, Libnah with its pasturelands, 14 Jattir with its pasturelands, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, 15 Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, 16 Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands—nine cities out of these two tribes; 17 then out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasturelands, Geba with its pasturelands, 18 Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its pasturelands—four cities. 19 The cities of the descendants of Aaron, the priests, were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.

20 As to the rest of the Kohathites belonging to the Kohathite clans of the Levites, the cities allotted to them were out of the tribe of Ephraim. 21 To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, 22 Kibzaim with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands—four cities; 23 and out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its pasturelands, Gibbethon with its pasturelands, 24 Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands—four cities; 25 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pasturelands, and Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands—two cities. 26 The cities of the clans of the rest of the Kohathites were ten in all with their pasturelands.

27 And to the Gershonites, one of the clans of the Levites, were given out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah with its pasturelands—two cities; 28 and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, 29 Jarmuth with its pasturelands, En-gannim with its pasturelands—four cities; 30 and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, 31 Helkath with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands—four cities; 32 and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands—three cities. 33 The cities of the several clans of the Gershonites were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands.

34 And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands, 35 Dimnah with its pasturelands, Nahalal with its pasturelands—four cities; 36 and out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahaz with its pasturelands, 37 Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands—four cities; 38 and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, 39 Heshbon with its pasturelands, Jazer with its pasturelands—four cities in all. 40 As for the cities of the several Merarite clans, that is, the remainder of the clans of the Levites, those allotted to them were in all twelve cities.

41 The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands. 42 These cities each had its pasturelands around it. So it was with all these cities.

43 Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44 And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. (ESV)

Psalm 15

A Psalm of David.

15:1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (ESV)

Luke 18

18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. (ESV)

The reading plan I’ve chosen is from Bible Class Material and it’s a 5 day plan, with weekend days to catch up or get ahead or just take a break!

http://ift.tt/2hfNLzf

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September 17, 2017 - “The Edge of Civil War: The Return of the Eastern Tribes” Joshua 22:1-34

Click KEEP READING to read the full sermon. 

Introduction

At times, our noble intentions can cause unnecessary tensions. The conflict can be traced either on our failure to communicate the motive of what we have done or the concerned person may have an unfounded misjudgment on our well-intended action.

The conquest of Israel over Canaan and their inheritance of the Promised Land almost ended into a civil war. The edge of the civil war within Israel was borne out of unspoken and misunderstood noble intention.

Israel had conquered Canaan. War ceased in the land. The Promised Land was equitably distributed to the twelve tribes east and west of the Jordan. The Levites were not given an ancestral inheritance but were allotted 48 towns which served as their pasturelands. Six among the Levitical towns were set apart as cities of refuge—three in the east and three on the west of the Jordan. Joshua was the last one who received his own inheritance in Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. The former base camp of Israel at Gilgal was transferred to the central region of Canaan at Shiloh in the territory of Ephraim. At Shiloh, Joshua built the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Tent of Meeting. Shiloh became the political and religious center of Israel.

The time had come for the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be back in their inheritance east of the Jordan River. It was at Shiloh that Joshua gave his blessing for their homecoming in Transjordan (22:1-8). At Geliloth near the Jordan border, the two and half-tribes built an imposing altar which triggered a potential civil war within Israel (22:9-12). At Gilead, the controversy among the Israelites was settled and it preserved the unity of Israel (22:13-34).

A. The Blessing at Shiloh (22:1-8)

Shiloh was a city in Ephraim situated “north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem and south of Lebonah” (Judg. 21:19). When Israel settled in Canaan, the Jewish tabernacle found its first permanent place in Shiloh (Jos. 18:1) and it became the center of worship for the Hebrew nation during the time of Joshua and the judges (Judg. 18:31). It was in this city that the last seven tribes of Israel received their territorial inheritance in the Promised Land (Jos. 18:8-10). And it was in Shiloh where the Israelites gathered when Joshua blessed the armies of the two and half-tribes in their homecoming to the Transjordan.

1.  The Commendation

Joshua commended the two and half tribes for their faithfulness.

a.     The Honored Tribes

He paid tribute to their obedience.

Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded.” (vv. 1-2) 

They fully obeyed the commandment of Moses as recorded in Numbers 32. This was the specific command of Moses.

Then Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun and to the family heads of the Israelite tribes. He said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites, every man armed for battle, cross over the Jordan with you before the LORD, then when the land is subdued before you, give them the land of Gilead as their possession. But if they do not cross over with you over armed, they must accept their possession with you in Canaan.” (Num. 32:28-30)

The two and half-tribes made a pledge.

The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “Your servants will do what the LORD has said. We will cross over before the LORD into Canaan armed, but the property we inherit will be on this side of the Jordan” (Num. 32:31-32)

Moses honored their request.

“Then Moses gave to the Gadites, the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the whole land with its cities and the territory around them.” (Num. 32:33)

When Joshua led Israel to conquer Canaan, this was his word to the two and half tribes, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you” (Josh. 1:13). Together with all the Israelites, the Gadites, Reubenites and half-tribe of Manasseh pledged their loyalty to Joshua.

“Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you will send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.” (Jos. 1:16-17)

And they obeyed Joshua as they obeyed Moses. They entered into war and conquered Canaan.

b.    The Mission Accomplished

Joshua commended them for their wholehearted obedience.

“For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.” (v. 3) 

They joined their fellow Israelites into war from beginning to the end. In obedience to Moses and Joshua, they had fulfilled their mission which they received from the LORD.

2.  The Charge 

In fulfilling their mission, Joshua had given them a solemn charge.

a.     Return Home

After around seven years of battle in Canaan and the Promised Land was given and divided as inheritance to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gave his parting word to the Transjordan tribes.

“Now that the LORD your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan.” (v. 4)

b.    Enthrone God

The Transjordan tribes could now go home in one condition.

“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (v. 5)

They must remain devoted to the LORD their God and obey his commandments with all their hearts.

3.  The Blessing

With this grateful commendation and sacred charge, Joshua bestowed upon them his blessing.

Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes.(To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan along with their fellow Israelites.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them, saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing—and divide the plunder from your enemies with your fellow Israelites.” (vv. 6-8)

Their divine mission was done. Joshua blessed them.  With great exploit from war they were homebound in deep gratitude and reverence to God.

B. The Controversy at Geliloth (22:9-12)

On their way home, the Transjordan tribes reached Geliloth. This was a landmark on the border between Benjamin and Judah (Jos. 18:17). Geliloth means circles; Gilgal means circle of stones. Apparently Geliloth was in the same vicinity of Gilgal on the road to Jerusalem to Jericho (Josh. 15:7). It was on the ford of the Jordan in Canaan. What did the Transjordan tribes do in Geliloth?

1.  The Imposing Altar

At Geliloth, the Transjordan tribes built an imposing altar.

“So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the LORD through Moses. When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan.” (vv. 9-10) 

Before we focus on this imposing altar built by the Transjordan tribes near the Jordan, it would be significant for us to remember about the altar built by Joshua at Gilgal after Israel crossed the flooded river when they entered Canaan. This was the historical account about that particular event under the direct command of the God of Israel.

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight” (Jos. 4:1-3)

So Joshua built the altar of twelve stones (Jos. 4:8-9). What was the significance of that altar? It served as a lasting memorial that the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan by the power of the LORD (Jos. 4:6-7). The altar was a symbolical sign. The twelve stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel as one nation under one God.

We go back to the Transjordan tribes. Before they crossed the Jordan on their way home to the eastern side of the river, they built another altar like that at Gilgal. It appeared that they built the imposing altar out of stones from the Jordan. Was there a clear command from the LORD for them to build the altar? The Scriptures was silent about it. One thing was clear. It was the corporate decision of the Transjordan tribes to have built the new altar before crossing the Jordan. And they had their own reason in building the imposing altar. After they had built the altar they crossed the Jordan and camped at Gilead.

 2. The Impending War

The news about the imposing altar reached Joshua and the Israelites in Canaan. And Israel was greatly alarmed.

“And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.” (vv. 11-12) 

The impact upon Israel was staggering. The message for them was unnerving. For them, the new imposing altar was an outright rebellion against God and the breaking of covenant with God and Israel. An urgent assembly was called and the Israelites gathered before Joshua in Shiloh. They made a verdict. They would go to war against the Transjordan tribes and destroy them and their territories.

Why did the Israelites come to this decision? It was out of their uncompromising zeal for the LORD their God. When they entered Canaan, the LORD himself commanded them to totally destroy the utterly idolatrous inhabitants of the land. They demolished every altar in high places devoted to the worship of detestable idols in the land. The Israelites in Canaan wondered how the Transjordan tribes dared to have built an altar without the knowledge and consent of the all the Israelites. For those gathered at Shiloh, they trembled before God. For them, the imposing altar was a detestable thing that would bring curse upon Israel.

C. The Peace in Israel (22:13-34)

The bloody civil war was ready to explode. The vast Hebrew armies in Canaan were prepared for war. It was hard to imagine that the Transjordan warriors who had helped Israel conquer Canaan became the target whom Israel were determined to destroy.

1.  The Delegation

Joshua sent a delegation to the Transjordan tribes.

“So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. With him they sent ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans.” (vv. 13-14)

Why was Phinehas singled out to lead the delegation? He was the son of Eleazar, the high priest, and the grandson of Aaron (Ex. 6:25). During the wandering of the Israelites in the wilderness, it was Phinehas who killed Zimri, a man of Israel, and Cozbi, a Midianite woman whom Zimri had brought to the camp (Num. 25). This act of Phinehas ended the plague by which God had judged Israel for allowing Midianite women to corrupt Israel with idolatry and harlotry. Because of his zeal, the LORD promised him and his descendants the permanent priesthood in Israel. Phinehas was fearless and no respecter of person in administering the righteous judgment of God.

 2.  The Confrontation

Phinehas led the delegation in confronting the Transjordan tribes.

a.     The Serious Concern

The delegation brought out the sentiment of their people.

When they went to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—they said to them: “The whole assembly of the LORD says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the LORD and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now?’ (vv. 15-16)

The altar at Geliloth brought a national crisis to Israel. The delegation charged the Transjordan tribes of rebellion against God and betrayal to their covenant.

b.    The Reminder at Peor

Phinehas recalled to the Transjordan tribes the disastrous sin at Peor.

‘Was not the sin of Peor enough for us? Up to this very day we have not cleansed ourselves from that sin, even though a plague fell on the community of the LORD!’ (v. 17) 

The sin at Peor occurred at Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab (Num. 25). This was the last camp of Israel before they entered Canaan. It was on this place where the Israelites worshipped Baal and the men indulged in harlotry with the Moabite women. God judged them with a plague and 24,000 Israelites died. The zeal of Phinehas ended the plague in Israel.

c.     The Warning of Curse

If Israel would revert into their idolatrous worship, Phinehas warned his countrymen of the wrath of God.

‘And are you now turning away from the LORD? If you rebel against the LORD today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel.’ (v. 18) 

The imposing altar would mean the curse of the whole nation of Israel.

d.    The Appeal to Faithfulness

The delegation earnestly appealed to their own countrymen to be faithful to their covenant with God.  

‘If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the LORD’s land, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and share the land with us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the LORD our God.’ (v. 19) 

Phinehas appealed to his countrymen not to build an altar for themselves and worship other gods. There was only one Tabernacle for sacrifice and only one God worthy of worship for Israel. The Transjordan tribes were summoned to leave their inheritance east of the Jordan and to settle down in Canaan if it would mean for them to be faithful to God.

e.     The Case of Achan

Finally, Phinehas warned them of the sin of Achan.

‘When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things, did not wrath come on the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.’ (v. 20)

The unfaithfulness of Achan brought disaster over the whole nation. And now the Transjordan tribes seemed to have built an accursed altar to cause a national disaster for Israel.

 3.  The Explanation 

What was the response of the Transjordan tribes?

a.     Not a Rebellion

They resolutely made it clear before Phinehas that the imposing altar was not a rebellion against God as the Israelites had thought of it.

Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel: “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the LORD, do not spare us this day. If we have built our own altar to turn away from the LORD and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD himself call us to account.” (vv. 21-23) 

The Transjordan tribes called to God as their witness. They were not breaking faith from Israel and turning away from the LORD their God. They held themselves accountable to God and their countrymen.

b.    Fear of Disconnection

Why then did they build the imposing altar? They explained to Phinehas their side. They built the altar at Geliloth out of fear of being disconnected from Israel in the future.

“No! We did it for fear that someday your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? The LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the LORD.’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the LORD. “That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ (vv. 24-26) 

The Transjordan tribes were concerned about their future generations. The river could become a dividing wall between them on the east of the Jordan and their countrymen on the west. The altar was not a rebellion against God and a division among the Israelites.

c.     The Altar of Covenant

Instead, the altar at Geliloth served as a witness that the Transjordan tribes were one among the Israelites as a united covenant people.

‘On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD.’ And we said, ‘If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the LORD’s altar, which our ancestors built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’ (vv. 27-28)

The altar at Geliloth was a replica altar at Gilgal. It served as a witness for future generations that Israel as one nation was under the same God who is the LORD.

d.    The Pledge of Loyalty

Finally, the Transjordan tribes made their pledge under oath to be faithful to God and to their countrymen.

“Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle.” (v. 29)

The Transjordan tribes were one among the Israelites who worship the LORD their God. The replica altar at Geliloth served as a monumental witness for this cause.

4.  The Resolution

How did Phinehas take the words of their countrymen?

a.     The Solidarity of Israel

He was convinced of the sincerity of the Transjordan tribes in upholding their solidarity with their countrymen in their allegiance to God.

“When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of the Israelites—heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased.” (v. 30)

b.    The Sovereignty of God

And Phinehas acknowledged the sovereignty of God in preserving his own covenant people.

“And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the LORD in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD’s hand.” (v. 31)

The Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh were reassured of the safekeeping and blessing of the LORD over their whole nation.

5.  The Report

Phinehas and his company went back to Canaan and gave their report.

a.     The Report at Shiloh

The report was given to their countrymen at Shiloh.

“Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites.” (v. 32) 

b.    The Shalom in Israel

The good report brought peace in Israel.

“They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.” (v. 33)

 6.  The Witness

In the end, the imposing replica altar at Geliloth that almost caused a bloody civil war among the Israelites had served as a monumental witness for the unity of Israel.

“And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the LORD is God.” (v. 34)

This was the wonderful message for Israel that bonded them as one nation. “The LORD is God.”

This is the same and lasting message that binds all believing Hebrews and Christians. The God of the Hebrews is the God of the Christians. As a covenant people we make our good confession, “The LORD is God.” As a covenant people we declare our solidarity. God is our witness.

Conclusion

After the conquest of Canaan, no one among the Israelites ever thought that Israel would come to the edge of a bloody civil war. At Shiloh, Joshua gave his blessing to the Transjordan tribes. At Geliloth they built a replica altar in their devotion to God and allegiance with their own people. Israel mistook the imposing altar as rebellion against God and breaking of their covenant. The Israelites gathered in Shiloh to destroy their own countrymen east of the Jordan. At Gilead, Phinehas and the delegation of Israelite leaders confronted the Transjordan tribes about the altar. The controversy was settled. And peace reigned over Israel. What lessons can we learn from this historic event?

Affirm our covenant. The replica altar had different meanings for the Transjordan tribes and the rest of the Israelites. For the former, it was a monument of their loyalty to God and his people. For the latter, it was rebellion against God and breaking away from their countrymen. Their opposing perspectives, however, meant for the same motive—it was an affirmation of their covenant with God and among themselves as a covenant people. In an unsuspected circumstance and in an unusual manner, both parties demonstrated their zeal for the LORD and their loyalty to each other.

At times we misunderstand one another for the same zeal for God. There is always a room for difference on how we affirm our covenant in our devotion to God. One particular case was the church in Rome. Within the Christian community there were strong and weak members of the body of Christ. The strong believers were not bothered eating meat sold in the market which was sacrificed to powerless idols. The weak believers who were careful of not compromising their faith refrained from eating meat which underwent idolatrous rituals. Apostle Paul honored their own convictions and exhorted both parties not to condescend or condemn each other. Both must exercise their freedom in the context of love for the glory of God. The principle of Christian freedom being exercised in agape love is an essential bond to affirm our covenant with God and our brethren. Our zeal for God must be based on knowledge and tempered for the common good in the name of God.

Preserve our solidarity. The replica altar had put Israel on the edge of a civil war. The tribes of Israel east and west of the Jordan saw the altar in different lenses motivated with same passion for God in affirming their covenant as a nation. However, two crucial issues if left unsettled could have led Israel into a bloody civil war. First was the unexpressed noble intention on the part of the Transjordan tribes which they presumed to have been understood by their countrymen. Second was the misplaced judgment on the side of the Israelites in Canaan without first establishing the facts. The former should have had informed their action and motive in building the altar. The latter should have made their prior investigation before making their own conclusion and judgment. The conflict was resolved when the issues were clarified.

Inside the church, there seem to be misunderstandings and conflicts that are not intentionally meant to hurt others or derail the harmony among the Christian brethren. Our noble intentions could have not been clearly communicated or we make our judgments without making due diligence. We need to communicate well and give a listening ear for each other. In humility we can sincerely talk heart to heart and iron out any conflict that besets us.

God is our witness. In the end, the replica altar proved to be a monumental witness of the sovereignty of God and the solidarity of Israel. The Jordan River should not be a wall to divide the Hebrew nation. All the Israelites could look up to the altar and bind them together with a solid confession of faith, “The LORD is God.” As Christians, despite our differences and misgivings, we can focus on the Cross of Christ and observe the Lord’s Supper to bind ourselves with a good confession of faith, “Jesus is Lord.” In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we make our pledge, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18). In nurturing our bond of peace let us enthrone God in the altar of our hearts.