One Passage, One Morning, and an Open Heart
After Israel was handed over by God to the Israelites, God’s chosen people, Joshua gave allotments of land to the different tribes. Nearing the end of the process, he “summoned the Reubintes, 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. For a long time now – to this very day – you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the Lord you God gave you. Now that the Lord your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your home in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the others side of the Jordan. But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord your God gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” (Joshua 22:1-5)
Joshua blessed them and sent them on the way. Before they crossed the Jordan, the three tribes got thinking that future generations of Israel might question what they have to do with the Lord, God of Israel and assume the Jordan was a boundary between them. Israel might tell the tribes’ descendants that they have no share in the Lord. (Joshua 22:24-25 paraphrase) So the tribes decided to build an altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between them and Israel.
However, talk traveled back, and Israel heard the tribes had built an altar. An assumption was made. They gathered a whole assembly together to discuss how unfaithful these tribes were for building an altar for burnt offerings and sacrifices for their selfish ambitions. The Israelites could not believe how people could be rescued from the desert, see wrath come on a community because of disobedience, watch God hand over land to them, etc. and still rebel against God. It didn’t make sense…but the assumption was made. The assembly selected a person from each tribe to confront the Reubintes, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh with their concern. The Israelites accused the tribes by asking why they rebelled after all God had done for them.
The tribes responded from their heart saying, “The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God the Lord! He knows! And let Israel know! … Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord and turn away from him today…” (Joshua 22:22, 29)
The leaders returned to Canaan, and the Israelites were glad to hear the report and praised God. (Joshua 22:32-33 paraphrased)
“And the Reubintes and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.” (Joshua 22:34)
As I reflected upon this passage and God spoke into my life, I learned a variety of points:
1. Don’t make assumptions.
a. Assumptions are made on a daily basis.
b. Remember to allow others to share their thoughts before jumping to conclusions or finishing their sentences.
c. Step back, listen, and claim the positive – or at least look from more than one angle.
2. Accept that I might be wrong and praise God for it.
a. When assumptions are proven false…praise God!!
b. Remember to admit I’m wrong…the words “I was wrong” or “Sorry” can go a long way, and I do not nearly say them enough.
3. I need to remember the bridges built between others and myself.
a. A physical object representing friendships/relationships can help me to remember my promises/agreements.
b. Reveal how God’s hand was at work through good times and troubling times.
From one passage in one morning, God revealed His Living Word to me. With only Scripture, the voice of God, and an open heart, our Lord can teach us more than we can ever imagine…
