Setting – Joshua blesses the tribe of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh for they completed their service to Israel in fighting in war. On their return to their territory, they built an altar, called “Witness”.
Content – They built an altar that greatly concerned Israel to the point of preparing to go to war with Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh. They thought the altar was to hold their own sacrifices on it, which would be a direct violation of the commandment of the Lord. But this altar was set up as a memorial in order to prevent the distance between the tribes to divide them (v. 28), “Therefore we said, 'It shall also come about if they say {this} to us or to our generations in time to come, then we shall say, "See the copy of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice; rather it is a witness between us and you.'”
This information came back to Israel, through Phinehas the priest and ten chief’s, what the altar was for.
Application – Two thoughts of application come up. One is that we need to insure that we understand the intention of someone else. Israel was ready to go to war over this matter, because they thought that it was an altar for sacrifices. Israel was right to go to war if this was the case, but it wasn’t. So they spent a lot of energy because of an assumption. We need to get the facts first before preparing to combat an issue.
Two, building ways to preserve relationships is important. The tribe of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh wanted to insure the preservation of Israel’s union. They knew that the river might invite separation between Israel (v. 24-25), “…In time to come your sons may say to our sons, "What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you, {you} sons of Reuben and sons of Gad; you have no portion in the LORD." So your sons may make our sons stop fearing the LORD.” They did right in thinking ahead and making sure that separation didn’t occur between then.
Long-distant friendships are difficult to maintain, but this should never mean that they should be allowed to end. The consistence of communication and frequency can’t always be maintained, but preservation of a Christian friendship should stand. Catching up with long-distance friendships is refreshing and rewarding. Christian friendship never ends, it continues right into heaven. So there is no reason why it needs to end while on earth.
Content – They built an altar that greatly concerned Israel to the point of preparing to go to war with Reubenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh. They thought the altar was to hold their own sacrifices on it, which would be a direct violation of the commandment of the Lord. But this altar was set up as a memorial in order to prevent the distance between the tribes to divide them (v. 28), “Therefore we said, 'It shall also come about if they say {this} to us or to our generations in time to come, then we shall say, "See the copy of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice; rather it is a witness between us and you.'”
This information came back to Israel, through Phinehas the priest and ten chief’s, what the altar was for.
Application – Two thoughts of application come up. One is that we need to insure that we understand the intention of someone else. Israel was ready to go to war over this matter, because they thought that it was an altar for sacrifices. Israel was right to go to war if this was the case, but it wasn’t. So they spent a lot of energy because of an assumption. We need to get the facts first before preparing to combat an issue.
Two, building ways to preserve relationships is important. The tribe of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh wanted to insure the preservation of Israel’s union. They knew that the river might invite separation between Israel (v. 24-25), “…In time to come your sons may say to our sons, "What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between us and you, {you} sons of Reuben and sons of Gad; you have no portion in the LORD." So your sons may make our sons stop fearing the LORD.” They did right in thinking ahead and making sure that separation didn’t occur between then.
Long-distant friendships are difficult to maintain, but this should never mean that they should be allowed to end. The consistence of communication and frequency can’t always be maintained, but preservation of a Christian friendship should stand. Catching up with long-distance friendships is refreshing and rewarding. Christian friendship never ends, it continues right into heaven. So there is no reason why it needs to end while on earth.
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