SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE by Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
ADULT STS LESSON 163_ THE ALTAR OF TESTIMONY
MEMORY VERSE: "And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God" (Joshua 22:34). TEXT: Joshua 22:1-34
Joshua had led Israel to subdue the land of Canaan. He had also shared the land by the west bank of Jordan to the nine and half tribes, including forty-eight cities and their suburbs for the Levites (Joshua 21:41). Every tribe had rest. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had also fulfilled their covenant with Moses to assist their brethren to conquer Canaan before they would return to their possession on the east of Jordan; they were thus released by Joshua. They returned, but the joy of conquest and separation from their brethren as they went back to their inheritance was soon threatened by reports that they had made another altar like the one in Shiloh. The diligent investigation of a team led by Phinehas the son of Eleazer, the priest, and the polite explanation of their intention averted a civil war in Israel. For many years of battles to conquer Canaan, the two and a half tribes left their families and possessions on the other side of Jordan. They demonstrated explicit faith in God's preservation and His keeping power (2 Timothy 1:12). "And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD" (Numbers 32:22). They were faithful to their pledge made to Moses before the Lord. Present-day believers can learn from their conduct: one, the need for undertaking missionary endeavours in foreign lands before returning to their home bases. Two, brethren in established churches should support the planting of new churches, in reaching out to the unreached. This they can do by supplying manpower, materials and money. Three, believers must redeem their pledges and pay their vows, "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed" (Ecclesiastes 5:4).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISENGAGED FAITHFUL WARRIORS (Joshua 22:1-9; 1:12-18; 1 Samuel 12:14,15; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
Joshua did not delay the return of the two and a half tribes to their possessions after they did exactly as they promised Moses. "But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith" (Numbers 32:27). He disengaged them with praise and commendation for their faithfulness, encouragement to hold fast to God's commandment and warnings against backsliding. He commended them thus: "...Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you" (Joshua 22:2). He went further to admonish them to remain steadfast: "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Joshua 22:5). The admonition of Joshua to the two and a half tribes shed light on how they were to preserve themselves in perpetual victory, peace and joy in the Lord. One, they were to be diligent to understand and keep God's commandments. Two, they were to love the Lord without any other rival in their hearts. Three, they were not to walk in their own will and way, but in God's way. Four, they were to cleave unto the Lord. And five, to serve Him with all their heart, spirit, soul and body. These same principles will ensure present-day believers remain steadfast in serving God acceptably.
INDICTMENT AND INDIGNATION AGAINST AN APPEARANCE OF EVIL (Joshua 22:10-12; 18:1; 7:1,5,11-13; Numbers 25:1-5; Deuteronomy 12:5,6,10- 14; 13:12-15; Nehemiah 7:61-65)
The two and a half tribes departed and returned to their inheritance on the east of River Jordan. They realised that Jordan was a great divide between them and the other tribes. This was the basis of their decision to build a replica of the altar in Shiloh. "And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to" (Joshua 22:10). This brought about an indictment from the other tribes, which is a formal charge or an accusation of a serious crime (of raising a rival altar like the divinely- approved one in Shiloh). It seemed to the two and a half tribes to be an act of rebellion to erect an unauthorised altar, adjudged to be a violation of divine guideline and a tilt towards disunity and apostasy. Their goodwill was misjudged by their brethren because it was made without consultation with Joshua and other elders. They knew the consequences of idolatry as revealed in the Ten Commandments. They also knew how an average Israelite would react to idols and anything of its resemblance. However, the other tribes were too hasty in judgment to have mobilised "...to go up to war against them" (Joshua 22:12). They had not done diligent and proper investigation before coming to such a hasty decision; their next step seemed to be a mere formality. Believers and leaders need to be patient and careful in handling sensitive matters, especially when life is involved. Indictments arise in the church: one, when scriptural truths are rejected; two, biblical doctrines on which the faith of God's triumphant church is founded are discarded or watered down; three, when believers read books or listen to messages of false prophets and apostates whose words cannot lead a sinner to genuine repentance. Those who peddle such poisonous materials or ideas should be reported to the leadership of the church so as to keep the church pure. "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles... To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 5:1,5). However, to forestall backsliding, rejection of sound doctrine and apostasy by future generations, Scripture truths should be preserved in books, videos, compact discs, audio tapes and websites. The prompt action against the appearance of evil by Israel is also commendable and should be a pattern for all saints of God. We must show indignation against unholy acts in the family, church, workplace and community. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9). But this must be done with wisdom and utmost caution.
INVESTIGATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION AMONG BRETHREN (Joshua 22:13-34; Deuteronomy 20:10-14; 17:8-13; Acts 15:1-29; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:19,20; Proverbs 15:1; 25:8-10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14)
Phinehas and ten princes were sent to investigate and resolve the supposition of idolatry by the tribes on the east of Jordan. The team had a mind-set to investigate. "And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas..." (Joshua 22:13). This agrees with God's rule of peaceful appeal before declaring war (Deuteronomy 20:10). The choice of Phinehas to lead them is noteworthy against the backdrop that he gallantly upheld righteous judgment in the case of Baal-peor, which earned him commendation and a covenant of perpetual peace and an everlasting priesthood from God (Numbers 25:7-13). In appealing to the presumed backslidden tribes, the delegates rehearsed the past wrath of God upon the people even for the sin of a few or an individual (verses 17-20). Among these were the idolatry and immorality with the women of Moab that claimed twenty-four thousand warriors; Achan's personal sin that turned God's face away from the whole congregation of Israel and they fell before their enemies. The team gave sufficient reasons for their deep concern in the matter: one, they were stakeholders in keeping the entire nation at peace with God; two, it was their necessary defence by the law of self-preservation. If they failed to stop their perceived rebellion, the wrath of God may break upon the entire congregation; three, they extended further hand of fellowship to them, that if they feared insecurity on the east bank of Jordan, they should cross over and the rest tribes will adjust to give them inheritance in Canaan. Phinehas displayed real wisdom, which believers can emulate in persuading a backslider to return to the Lord. "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother" (Matthew 18:15). In the church of the living God, we must follow similar Scripture-based approach when resolving personal differences by going to the person prayerfully. Or, when there are doctrinal teachings that have been compromised in any location; the facts must be established and the leadership of the church informed promptly (Acts 15:6). The response of the children of Reuben, the Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh was unique. They said, "God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle" (Joshua 22:29). The soft answer and solemn defence of the accused tribes averted a civil war. The Bible says, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness" (Proverbs 15:1,2). They exalted the Lord in expression of their faith and resolved to obey the laws of God. They proved their unshaken integrity that they had no intention to sacrifice on any other altar except the one in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). They called the altar "Ed" meaning testimony or witness that they are descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was to serve as a symbol of unity to remind their brethren that the dividing river does not change their faith, worship and commitment to the God of Israel. The ambassadors accepted their testimony and explanation. The faithful reports they sent back to Joshua and the remaining tribes satisfied the whole congregation and there was no further indictment. Believers should learn to respond to criticisms, accusations and allegations with meekness. There will be less arguments and friction in the families, Christian assemblies and organisations if the virtue of meekness is upheld. Unfortunately, many people are victims of false accusation, misrepresentation, misjudgment and injustice without anyone to give them fair hearing. True Christians are enjoined to be fair to others before passing judgment. "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him" (Proverbs 18:13). We must also beware of the tragic impact of suspicion in any family or church. An assembly where suspicion is rife cannot get God's best. Suspicion destroys the bonds of love, trust and confidence and sows hatred, fear, distrust and misgiving. The body of Christ must watch against false doctrine: it perverts and brings judgment upon rebels and leads the innocent to damnable errors. False doctrine is like air pollution that spreads beyond its immediate vicinity. The study reveals that even amongst the brethren, there can be misunderstanding, yet we must apply scripturally proven measures in resolving the issues. The possibility of falsehood creeping into the midst of believers is a present-day reality. Therefore, we must be very watchful having known the damage it can cause.
Questions for review:
1. What can believers learn from the two and a half tribes honouring their promise to support their brethren in conquering Canaan?
2. Mention some conditions essential for the believers' joy and daily victory as revealed in our study.
3. What can cause accusation in the church today?
4. What steps should be taken to resolve (i) differences amongst brethren; (ii) issues relating to misrepresentation and misapplication of doctrinal truths?
5. What should be the attitude of believers who are accused falsely?
6. How dangerous is suspicion and false doctrine to the body of Christ?
7. How should a believer respond to wrong accusation?
