The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Joshua 22:20,
"When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things, did not wrath come on the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin."
This reminder was made to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh over a misunderstanding. The two and a half tribes had built a massive alter by the Jordan upon their release by Joshua to return home to the east side of the Jordan. The other tribes thought they were abandoning the Lord by constructing a heathen place of worship and wanted to keep them from bringing God's wrath down upon the entire nation. However, the purpose of the two and a half tribes was to build a monument for succeeding generations to remember the solidarity and union of the two and a half tribes with the other tribes located on the west side of the Jordan as God's people. The altar was to be a monument, not a place of worship. When explained, the other tribes were satisfied.
I am reminded of what the Lord said in Jeremiah 18:7-10, "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it." This has impact on all who live in a nation that will either be blessed by God or be judged by God. The wicked share in the blessings of a godly nation and the godly share in the sufferings of a nation judged by God. All individuals share in the conditions God brings to a nation.
"When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things, did not wrath come on the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin."
This reminder was made to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh over a misunderstanding. The two and a half tribes had built a massive alter by the Jordan upon their release by Joshua to return home to the east side of the Jordan. The other tribes thought they were abandoning the Lord by constructing a heathen place of worship and wanted to keep them from bringing God's wrath down upon the entire nation. However, the purpose of the two and a half tribes was to build a monument for succeeding generations to remember the solidarity and union of the two and a half tribes with the other tribes located on the west side of the Jordan as God's people. The altar was to be a monument, not a place of worship. When explained, the other tribes were satisfied.
The reference to Achan was an account of a man who disobeyed God during Israel's invasion of the promised land at Jericho. No loot was to be taken, but was to be "devoted" to the Lord - that is, totally destroyed as a tribute to the Lord for their victory. However, a man named Achan took a beautiful Babylonian robe, some silver and some gold and hid it under the ground in his tent. This brought from the Lord's hand a defeat at their next objective, Ai. Not just Achan, but the entire nation suffered as a result of Achan's actions.
The account of Achan was the ground upon which the Israelites confronted Reuben, Gad and half Manasseh. If those tribes turned from the Lord, all would suffer. Not just the culprits, but all Israel! Here is something all believers today need to be aware of: when it comes to individual judgment, we will all have to give an account for our own sins. However, when God decides to judge a nation for a turn from him, everybody is impacted. All. Not just the culprits. Yes, including believers, including those who follow the Lord, just as in Achan's day. God's blessings cannot be enjoyed by anyone when he removes them.
I am reminded of what the Lord said in Jeremiah 18:7-10, "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it." This has impact on all who live in a nation that will either be blessed by God or be judged by God. The wicked share in the blessings of a godly nation and the godly share in the sufferings of a nation judged by God. All individuals share in the conditions God brings to a nation.
I recall that years ago I was sharing the gospel to a protester in a group that didn't like a conference on the evil of abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide. I was told I had no say in the public square. It was not right for me to "push my religion on others."
Tell that to Achan's countrymen as they suffered their humiliating defeat at Ai.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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