03/30/2022 – Day 031 – Joshua 21 – 24 (end) – Chapter 22 – Internal Conflict Resolved – “Constructive Conflict is Sine Qua Non (prerequisite) to Growth” / fast forward to today – a question for us…
The last chapters of Joshua are rich all the way across, but we could do a short class on just Chapter 22 – “Eastern Tribes Build an Altar.” It is rich with biblical history, back to Moses and forward to Pauls gospel to the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians -Chapter 10 thar recounts the history back to Moses.”
I think it would be worthwhile for us if I share with you my biblical footnotes on Chapter 22 – “Eastern Tribes Build an Altar” to help capsulize the scene. Then I will expound back and forward of that event in the life of Israel, the chosen people of God in their “new” promised land.
Let’s get started:
22: 9 -34: “While returning to their homes in the Trans Jordan the men of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manassh provoked a crises by erecting an altar at Geliloth. Their altar was a reflica (v. 28) of the one at the tabernacle, intended as a witness to future generations of the legitimacy of their share in the inheritance. This was an innocent act on their part, as they did not intend the altar to be used for sacrifices. The Cisjordan tribes (Jimmy note: West of the Jordan River) however, viewed such an altar as a threat to the unity of Israel as a whole. The western tribes sent a delegation, headed by Phinehas son of Eleazar, to investigate the matter. The eastern tribes explained their purpose in erecting the altar to the satisfaction of the rest (vv. 21 – 31), and the crises was resolved.”
22:10: “A large ‘impressive altar’ indicates that it would be seen by anyone who passed by.”
22:12: “The assembly of the Cisjordan tribes at Shiloh was preparing to go to war against the Transjordan tribes in order to correct what they thought was a breach of the covenant with the Lord.”
22: 16-18: “The Phinehas delegation expressed its concern in the strongest terms. The word translated “treachery” is uses twice in vers 16 and refers to an act of rebellion; the same word was used with reference to Achan’s deed at Jericho (7;1) The delegation recalled the incident at Peor (Numbers 25) as an example of the consequences of idolatry. The Phinehas delegation was concerned that an act of spiritual unfaithfulness on the part of the tribes east of the Jordan would endanger all Israel.”
22: 33-34: “The incident ended peaceably. The Transjordan tribes named the altar in accordance with its purpose: it was to be a witness for future generations to the sovereignty of the Lord and the unity of all the tribes of Israel.”
Numbers 16 recounts a mutiny revolt against Moses authority, led by Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Their insolence and rejection of Moses direction for all leaders to “take censers” and see who the Lord chooses, resulted in 1) the Lord opening up the earth and swallowing up 250 men, noting in verse 33, they went alive down into the grave,…; and 2) 14,700 people dying from the plague. Paul recounts this along with other judgment in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, as a warning to the Corinthians not to follow in such grievious unrepentant sin rebellion.
The Phinehas delegation, to their credit, were being mindful of “the fear of the Lord”. They took to heart this tragic history to the people of Israel. And everyone is walking in the Lord here. Take note how the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh disarmed their brothers by praising God, and reassuring them they shared their devotion to obediance! Read again verses 21- 23.
I can’t think of the heresy name that is just about as old as the Christian church that maintains if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior , we can sin all we want, and still be assured of heaven. Let me outline a hypothetical scenario for y’all followed by a question for us in the body of Christ:
There is a prominent elder in a large Christian church that heads off to an annual church retreat site with his wife and children. One the night preceding the end of the retreat, he sneaks off with another female member, who was also there with her spouse and children. They have an affair. Soon thereafter, their marriages break up, followed by divorces for each of them, membership in a new church of the same denomination in the same general area, and their own remarriage in the new church. Where’s the judgment within the body of Christ? Shouldn’t the pastor of the old church be overcome with fear of the Lord? What about the silent elders? What about the church members that knew what was going on? Is not the community subject to God’s wrath, as was feared by the Phinehas delegation, a healthy fear I might add? Do you think my example is to far-fetched in our day?
I referenced this verse a little while back: Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:12 -13: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked man from among you.’ Look up to 5:9: “I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral , or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.”
The attached link is an article that I take issue with. It maintains that “One Saved / Always Saved” / Eternal Security is a life from hell, “Satan’s first lie”. All scripture is God breathed . If a soul is a Christian, and therefore has an indwelling Holy Spirit, such abominable sins are unthinkable, for the fear of grieving the Holy Spirit far outweighs the momentary worldly pleasure of the flesh. And if there was a “spiritual insanity”, a full remorse , asking forgiveness from God , the community, and the broken families would most certainly follow. I would submit it is not possible to be a Christian and not have a fear of the Lord.
If a self professed christian has been sitting in the pew every Sunday , yet doesn’t live any different from lost pagans (future christians), that future brother in Christ should be witnessed to as current lost soul. We are only the messengers for the Holy Spirit. Christians are like “deer panting for water.” As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, the water from which you no longer will have any thirst. So, thoughts on these last two paragraphs?
Soli Deo Gloria!