MARCH 30 READINGS…Joshua 22:1-24:33
The conquest of the land is done, at least to the place where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had fulfilled what Moses had required of them. Now they were able to return to the east side of the Jordan River, back to their families. As they were headed back they came to the Jordan River and decided to build a memorial. When the rest of the tribes heard that they were doing this they assumed that they were building an altar to themselves...rather than coming to the tabernacle to offer the proper sacrifices. This was a serious thing in the sight of all Israel, and they were ready to go to war with these two and a half tribes. Before going to war, they decided to send a delegation to find out exactly what was going on. It was explained to them that this was not an altar, but a memorial that they would call "witness"...so that future generations would know that the tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan had every right to enter into the land of promise in order to participate in worship and offering sacrifices to the Lord.
The end of the book of Joshua brings us to the end of the life of Joshua. Before his death Joshua brings the people together to remind them of the covenant that the Lord had made with them...and their part in keeping the covenant. He told them again of the promised blessings if they keep the covenant...and the promised curse if they fail to keep the covenant. He brought the people to place of decision...they were required to answer. In this call we have maybe the most famous statement from the book of Joshua...its truth echoes to us today. I have this on my front door and in my living room. For I have heard the call of God...and I answered Him, being totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit that my answer may be fulfilled. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! Now hear the whole passage one more time...how will you answer the call of God to you?
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”-Joshua 24:15.
Please share your thoughts from today's readings, or from any part of the book of Joshua. My prayer is that each of us would answer Joshua's question...my prayer is that we all would serve the Lord.
TOMORROW'S BIBLE READING... Judges 1:1-3:30
Comments