Things aren’t
always what
they seem.
Joshua 22:1-2
22 Then Joshua called together the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad,
and East Manasseh. 2 He said to them, “You have done everything that
Moses the LORD's servant ordered you to do, and you have obeyed all my
commands.
Who was East Manasseh?
Why does Joshua only call on these 2 1/2 tribes and what
was he talking about when he said, “You have done
everything that Moses the LORD's servant ordered you to
do?”
Numbers 32:1-7
32 The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a lot of livestock. When they saw
how suitable the land of Jazer and Gilead was for cattle, 2 they went to
Moses, Eleazar, and the other leaders of the community and said, 3-4 “This
region which the LORD has helped the Israelites occupy…is good land for
livestock, and we have so much livestock. 5 Please give us this land as our
property, and do not make us cross the Jordan River and settle there.”
6 Moses replied, “Do you want to stay here while the other Israelites go to
war? 7 How dare you try to discourage the people of Israel from crossing
the Jordan into the land which the LORD has given them?...
Numbers 32:16-18, 20-22
16 They
approached Moses and said, “First, allow us to build stone enclosures
here for our sheep and fortified towns for our dependents. 17 Then we will be
ready to go with the other Israelites into battle and lead the attack until we
have settled them in the land that will be theirs. In the meantime, our
dependents can live here in the fortified towns, safe from the people of this
land. 18 We will not return to our homes until all the other Israelites have taken
possession of the land assigned to them…
20 Moses
answered, “If you really mean what you say, then here in the presence
of the LORD get ready to go into battle. 21 All your fighting men are to cross the
Jordan and under the command of the LORD they are to attack our enemies
until the LORD defeats them 22 and takes possession of the land. After that, you
may return, because you will have fulfilled your obligation to the LORD and to
the other Israelites. Then the LORD will acknowledge that this land east of the
Jordan is yours.
Joshua continues his commendation to the tribes of Reuben,
Gad, and half-of Manessa
Joshua 22:3-5
3 All
this time you have never once deserted the other Israelites. You
have been careful to obey the commands of the LORD your God. 4 Now,
as he promised, the LORD your God has given the other Israelites peace.
So go back home to the land which you claimed for your own, the land
on the east side of the Jordan, that Moses, the LORD's servant, gave
you. 5 Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you: love
the LORD your God, do his will, obey his commandments, be faithful to
him, and serve him with all your heart and soul.”
Joshua 22:5
5 Make
sure you obey the law that Moses commanded
you: love the LORD your God, do his will, obey his
commandments, be faithful to him, and serve him with
all your heart and soul.”
Joshua 22:10
10 When
the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh
arrived at Geliloth, still on the west side of the Jordan,
they built a large, impressive altar there by the river.
BUT THEN:
Joshua 22:11-12
11 The
rest of the people of Israel were told, “Listen! The people of the
tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh have built an altar at Geliloth,
on our side of the Jordan!” 12 When the people of Israel heard this, the
whole community came together at Shiloh to go to war against the
eastern tribes.
Deuteronomy 12:11
11 The
LORD will choose a single place where he is to be
worshiped, and there you must bring to him everything
that I have commanded: your sacrifices that are to be
burned and your other sacrifices, your tithes and your
offerings, and those special gifts that you have promised
to the LORD.
Joshua 22:16-18 (NIRV)
16 “We’re
speaking for the LORD’s whole community. How could
you disobey the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away
from the LORD? How could you disobey him by building an altar
for yourselves? 17 Don’t you remember how we sinned at Peor?
The LORD struck us with a plague because of what we did. Up to
this day we’re still suffering because of that sin. 18 Are you
turning away from the LORD now?
Someone once
said: “The only
exercise some
people get is
jumping to
conclusions!”
Proverbs 18:13
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is
folly and shame unto him.
Video clip
References
Slow Down and Shut Up – Pat Cook
Rash Judgement – Robert Rob
Settled -- Lucien Coleman
Pause Before You Act – Larry Wilson
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